Kaiser quarterback Sean Connell (7) celebrates after his 2-yard, go-ahead touchdown run reclaimed the lead and eventually gave the Cougars their first win of the season. Brandon Ching

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Sat, Sep 2, 2023 @ Kaiser [ 6:30 pm ]

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Kaiser

16

Kalani

12

Final	1	2	3	4	T
Kaiser (5-4-0)	3	7	0	6	16
Kalani (4-4-0)	0	12	0	0	12

• Pass
• Rush
• Rec

Kynan McCartney 16 yd 1 TD

Sean Connell 198 yd 1 TD

Kynan McCartney 77 yd

Sean Connell 45 yd 1 TD

Jonah Viernes 16 yd 1 TD

Keagan Lime 100 yd 1 TD

HAWAII KAI — Down but never out.

Sean Connell scored the game-winning touchdown and the defense made a goal-line stand to help Kaiser rally past Eastside rival Kalani, 16-12, at Kaiser Stadium Saturday.

The Cougars (1-2 overall, 1-1 OIA) dropped their first two games by a combined eight points, but clawed themselves into the win column and in the process handed the Falcons (3-1 overall, 2-1 OIA) their first loss.

"All three games have been like this," Kaiser coach Tim Seaman said. "We don't need to make it this hard. Kalani fought hard, you know they're playing for something bigger than themselves with their coach. A lot credit goes to Kalani for playing the way they did. Our kids too, our kids needed this win tonight. It's been a tough year for us. We've been growing and hopefully we get better."

"It's really good because it gives us momentum. I feel like it gives us confidence to keep going throughout the season. We're going to build off of this and keep winning and keep going," Connell said.

Connell threw for 198 yards on 17-of-26 passing and his touchdown went to Keagan Lime, who caught six passes for 100 yards. Connell added 45 yards on the ground and his TD keeper made the difference.

Kaiser started at their own 27 and Connell connected with Lime three times on the drive. Lime caught a 31-yard pass near the sideline to the Kalani 3-yard line.

"That drive was more intense than the entire game itself. We were looking for something to get us going and get us down the field and get close to the end zone. Sean pulls off an amazing pass and did what I have to do," Lime said.

"Keagan's great. Even if he's covered, he can catch it. I can chuck it up there and I know he has it. We work a lot in practice and our connection has gotten a lot better," Connell said.

Dillon Reis rushed for a 1-yard gain and the Cougars called timeout. Following the timeout, Connell took the snap and plowed ahead for the 2-yard touchdown with 14 seconds left.

"With Sean at quarterback, he opens up the running offense completely. Sean is a great aspect to our team," Lime said.

"I wasn't thinking about anything but getting in there. We barely practiced that," Connell said of the TD plunge. "That was a big call, 17 seconds left. We didn't have any timeouts. If we missed it, we wouldn't have gotten another play."

Carson Lam took the ensuing kick off 60 yards and was brought down by Jesse Oku at the Kaiser 4 with 4 seconds remaining. Kynan McCartney took the snap but was stopped a yard short by the Cougar defense led by Kapono Kaaihue to preserve the win.

"That shouldn't have been what it was. Things happen so we tried our best to stop them once we got back on ‘D'. Right there that was all about heart and our defense had heart right there," Lime said.

"That's another learning situation. When their backs are against the wall, they can get in that situation and hang tough. I'm very proud of the defense the way they stepped up in the second half especially," Seaman said.

McCartney had 77 rushing yards on 19 attempts and completed both passes to Jonah Viernes, who caught the Falcons' only offensive touchdown.

Lime factored in all of Kaiser's first half points after kicking a 31-yard field goal and hauling in a 32-yard touchdown pass from Connell. He lined up at receiver, corner back and serves as the team's kicker.

"Keegan is an all-around competitor. He wants the ball in tight situations. He's not afraid to cover the other team's top receivers. He's a guy that's been in the program for three years and he's a guy we count on in tight situations," Seaman said.

"Coach calls it a utility, but I'm just trying to do what I can to help the team. Everyone else is doing their part so I'm trying to do mine," Lime said.

Jordan Amalato got the Falcons on the scoreboard with a 30-yard interception return but the kick failed.

Kaiser gifted Kalani good field position after Reis could not handle the snap on a punt attempt and was tackled at the 20. McCartney rushed for 12 yards and finished the drive by throwing an 8-yard touchdown to Viernes to put the Falcons ahead, 12-10.

"When this team plays smart football, it can be a good football team. We got to cut out the self-inflicted mistakes, we need to continue to grow, that's what it's all about," Seaman said.

Kaiser had 294 yards of total offense while Kalani had 150.

Teahi Fukumitsu had five tackles, three went for losses and two sacks and JyTahoe Richards added two sacks to lead the Cougar defense.

The Falcon defense forced four turnovers. Justin Botelho had 7.5 tackles, four tackle for losses, a fumble recovery and an interception. Koy Yamaguchi had two tackle for losses and a sack.

The Cougars look to continue its winning ways against Roosevelt (2-2 overall, 1-1 OIA) on Sept. 9. The Falcons have a bye and face Kaimuki (1-3 overall, 1-1 OIA) at Farrington on Sept. 23.