MIL Football: Sabers Improve to 2-0 With 14-3 Win Over Lunas
Maui High defensive lineman Israel Emelio (55) pressures Lahainaluna quarterback Etuati Storer (2) as he releases the ball for a pass intended for teammate Elijah Ragudo (24), during first-half action Friday at War Memorial Stadium. The Sabers beat the Lunas 14-3. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
By Rodney S. Yap
Maui High School snapped a six-game losing streak to Lahainaluna Friday night, thanks to a pair of big runs from Jayden Wilhelm and Soane Vaohea.
Wilhelm broke open a scoreless game with a 34-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and Vaohea weaved his way through the Lunas’ defense for a 33-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter as the Sabers defeated Lahainaluna 14-3 before an estimated crowd of 2,300 at War Memorial Stadium.
The Sabers improved to 2-0 in the Maui Interscholastic League and earned their first victory over the Lunas in three years. Meanwhile, Lahainaluna fell to 0-3, its worse to the MIL football season in 12 years.
Tonight, MIL Division II first-round champion Kamehameha Maui (2-0) plays Baldwin (1-0) at War Memorial Stadium, beginning at 7 p.m. The game can be heard live on ESPN radio AM 900.
Maui High overcame 16 penalties for 143 yards running the football. Vaohea picked up 135 yards on 17 carries as the Sabers finished with 236 yards in total offense. According to The Maui News, the senior running back has a league-high 407 yards on 38 carries in two games.
Lahainaluna’s defense did its best to contain Vaohea, despite missing several key players, including third-year veteran Donovan Defang and lineman Nau Filiai. Defang did not suit up due to a concussion he suffered last week against Baldwin and Filiai suited up but did not play. Two-way player Enele Scanlan also watched the game from the sidelines and running back David Kawabata played but saw very limited action.
The Lunas managed just 40 total yards and two first downs in the first half. Freshman quarterback Etuati Storer struggled to grip the ball and finished 3-for-8 passing for 53 yards — all in the first half.
Maui High’s defense was led by Israel Emelio, Feleti Afemui, Nathan Vierra and Alani Malafu. Lineman Mahonri Anitema also played well on both sides of the ball for the Sabers.
Friday’s Scoring Summary
At War Memorial Stadium
SABERS 14, LUNAS 3
Lahainaluna 0 0 0 3—3
Maui High 0 0 7 7—14
Third Quarter
MH—Jayden Wilhelm 34 run (Chevee Freitas kick), 4:16.
LL—FG Haaheo Au 28, 2:27.
Fourth Quarter
MH—Soane Vaohea 33 run (Freitas kiuck), 3:08.
Junior varsity: Lahainaluna 22, Maui High 19.
* All individual and team statistics by Rob Collias of The Maui News.
Tonight’s Game
Baldwin vs. Kamehameha Maui at War Memorial Stadium, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 11
Maui High vs. Baldwin at War Memorial Stadium, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 12
King Kekaulike at Lahainaluna, 7 p.m.
Maui High quarterback Austin Hoe is hauled down by Lahainaluna’s Dylan Delatori (13). Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Maui High quarterback Austin Hoe gives the Sabers’ offense its next play. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Maui High’s Soane Vaohea (1) runs for a 34-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter Friday against Lahainaluna. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Maui High’s Mahonri Anitema (55) puts the pads on Lahainaluna’s Justice Tihada (11). Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Lahainaluna’s Justice Tihada (11) looks for running room. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Maui High quarterback Austin Hoe (7) hits Jayden Wilhelm (11) on this pass play as teammate Edmund Foronda (83) looks on. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Maui High’s Soane Vaohea (1) fumbles the ball as he’s running Friday against Lahainaluna. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Maui High’s Soane Vaohea (1) holds the ball loosely as he gets behind a block during first-half action Friday against Lahainaluna. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Maui High quarterback Austin Hoe fakes the handoff to running back Soane Vaohea (1). Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Lahainaluna quarterback Etuati Storer (2) throws a pass attempt into the end zone. The pass was broken up by Maui High’s Nathan Vierra. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Lahainaluna quarterback Etuati Storer (2) looks for a teammate open in the end zone. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Maui High’s Alani Malafu defends Lahainaluna’s Kia Kenolio (3).
Maui High’s Chevee Freitas (15) makes the extra point as teammate Jayden Wilhelm holds. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Maui High’s Jayden Wilhelm breaks loose on a reverse for a 33-yard touchdown run. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Maui High’s Ilaiasi Mataele (88) recovers a Lahainaluna fumble in the Lunas’ backfield. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Lahainaluna’s offense lines up against Maui High’s defense Friday in the second half. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Maui High quarterback Austin Hoe runs from the Lahainaluna pursuit led by Lahainaluna’s Ivan Upfold-Pante (44) and Ammon Walters (45). Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Lahainaluna quarterback Etuati Storer (2) tries to hit running back Justice Tihada (11) on this flare pass attempt. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Lahainaluna’s Justice Tihada (11) runs for tough yards against the Sabers’ defense. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Lahainaluna’s Dayton Felicilda (17) blocks an attempted Maui High field goal in the first half. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Maui High’s Jayden Wilhelm (11) looks for running room behind running back Soane Vaohea (1). Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Maui High’s Jayden Wilhelm (11) awaits the snap from center Mahonri Anitema (55) as running back Soane Vaohea lines up in the backfield. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Maui High’s Jayden Wilhelm (11) is tripped up by Lahainaluna’s Laakea Shim (20). Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Maui High’s Jayden Wilhelm (11) looks for running room against the Lunas’ defense. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Lahainaluna’s Etuati Storer rolls out for a pass attempt. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Lahainaluna’s Etuati Storer eyes teammate Kia Kenolio as he rolls out for a pass attempt. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Lahainaluna’s Kiakahai Kenolio (3) goes up for pass as Maui High;s Nathan Vierra defends. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Lahainaluna coach Dean Rickard (right) talks to several of his linemen, including Sosaia Tupola (78), Ikaika Viela (52) and John Caguioa, during first-half action Friday at War Memorial Stadium. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
Lahainaluna’s Justice Tihada (11) is wrapped up by the Sabers’ defense, led by Hanisi Lotulelei. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.
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