Moments like these are what make this game truly special.

For all the talk about creating a super conference and realigning the divisions, Kaiser’s stunner over then third-ranked Kahuku (yes, the Red Raiders will drop in the rankings) should serve notice that David can still slay Goliath. I’m not saying it’ll happen every week, but it’s still possible. For a team that wanted to move up to Division I a year ago, Kaiser deserved this one.

Anyways, let me dish out a little analysis on what went right for Kaiser, and what went oh so wrong for Kahuku. 

Kaiser’s game-winning drive

First off you have to appreciate the moxie the Cougars displayed on their game-winning drive. Kaiser took a rather unconventional approach to the two-minute drill, electing to run the ball 10 straight times. First-year Kaiser coach Cameron Higgins saw that some of Kahuku’s ball carriers played defense and took advantage of it by going no-huddle on the final drive. The two-way guys in particular were defensive lineman Salanoa-Alo Wily (season-high nine carries) and linebacker Reupena Fitisemanu. 

Now for some clarification on the time clock on Kaiser’s game winning drive. The Cougars got the ball back at their own 46-yard line with 1:59 on the clock. With a no-huddle tempo Kaiser running back Jensen McDaniel carried the ball three straight times to the Kahuku 25-yard line before the Red Raiders called their last timeout with 1:33 left in regulation.

So how did the Cougars travel 29 yards on the ground in just 26 seconds? The answer is that Kaiser picked up two first downs along the way. Unlike the NFL, every time the offense is gets a first down the game clock stops in order for the chain gang to reset their position. The clock starts rolling as soon as the chain gang is in position, but so can the snap. 

After Kahuku’s final timeout Kaiser picked up two more first downs, received an official’s timeout due to injury and called its final two timeouts before Kalawaia Judd’s game-winning one-yard dive on 3rd-down with 15.9 ticks remaining. Had Judd been stopped short of the goal line, that most likely have been the last play of the game, as the Cougars had no timeouts remaining and no free down to spike the ball. 

Kahuku’s turnover woes

Another key stat in the game was Kahuku’s seven turnovers, with the seventh giving Kaiser one last chance at the win. One look at the box score and quarterback Tuli Wily-Matagi’s three interceptions stand out. I am willing to say at least two of his interceptions are “forgivable.” On Wily-Matagi’s first interception, his intended receiver was left uncovered when the play started because there was a blitz on that side. Unfortunately Kaiser defensive back Nicolas Tom was able to come over just in time to tip the ball away and into the hands of Justin Ikei. It was a play that Kahuku ran against Castle the week before and Kaiser defensive coordinator Richard Torres had to perfect scheme to counter it.

Kaiser cornerback Cody Kim was responsible for Wily-Matagi’s other two interceptions. Kim’s first interception was on a jump ball situation in front of the end zone that Wily-Matagi should have thrown towards the inside of his receiver. The second interception was a freebie as Wily-Matagi’s intended target slipped while making his break on an out route.

I’d also like to point out that all of Wily-Matagi’s interceptions were in the first half. The senior quarterback had some nice throws in the second half, even completing a 16-yard pass to Alohi Gilman on 3rd-and-10 to extend the Red Raiders’ final possession of the game. 

Breakdowns on defense

For what its worth, Kahuku’s defense should get commended for keeping the team in the game despite the offense’s “unlucky” seven turnovers. Other than the two long bombs in the first half, the only real sustainable Kaiser drive that the Red Raiders allowed to turn into points was the last one.

So what was up with those two long touchdown passes? Too many eyes in the backfield. 

McDaniel’s 88-yard touchdown catch was on a play where he was lined up in the left slot position out of a five-receiver set. The play appeared to be a designed screen pass for the left wideout with McDaniel setting the pick. The defender on McDaniel kept his eyes at the wideout and never engaged McDaniel. This allowed McDaniel to blow by the defender for an easy pitch and catch.

The second touchdown was on a 99-yard bomb to receiver Destin Moss. Backed up on their own one-yard line, the Cougars came out in a double tight end shotgun formation. Judd faked a handoff to McDaniel to suck the safety in, allowing for an easy pass into Moss’ breadbasket. 

When (former Kaiser) defensive coordinator Sola Soliai came over to be a part of Kahuku coach Lee Leslie’s staff, his main focus in the offseason was to make sure that the defense was to be more fundamentally sound. It looks like the defense will be spending a lot of time in the film room and making sure everyone can be disciplined on their assignments.