Kaiser running back Jensen McDaniel carries an Aiea defender with him on a carry. Brien Ing | SL

×

081514_bi_aieakais081514_028a.jpg - Brien Ing | SL

Purchase this image
4x5 5x7 8x10 image download

HAWAII KAI — The reigning Division II champions passed their first Division I test with flying colors Friday night.

Jensen McDaniel rushed for 155 yards and four touchdowns to lead Kaiser (1-0) to a 52-7 win over Aiea (0-1) in a Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I crossover game before a crowd of about 500 at the Cougars’ home field. 

“This win is huge. It’s one in the books,” said first-year coach Cameron Higgins. Higgins was the offensive coordinator for the team during Rich Miano's two-year stint.

On McDaniel’s big game: “Jensen ran amazing. I’m extremely proud of how he ran. Sometimes when a kid comes up from (junior varsity) to varsity, the lights might be a big bright at first — but I think he (handled) himself like a upperclassmen. He ran the ball extremely well, hard fast. I just like watching that guy play.”

Kaiser also got a big boost from senior quarterback Kalawaia Judd. The former Kauai Red Raider takes control of the Kaiser offense after the Cougars’ lost quarterback Justin Uahinui for the season (collarbone). Judd was 16 of 30 passing for 162 yards with two touchdowns. He also rushed 10 times for 82 yards.

“Kalawaia is huge (in) just the fact that he can move on (his) feet,” Higgins said on Judd. “He’s accurate with the ball. He’s picked up the playbook in less than a week. I’m really happy, the transition is nice.”

Aiea was without about 30 players due to academics and disciplinary reasons. A key Aiea player that sat out was quarterback Jordan Liilii. Starting in Liilii’s place was Kobe Kato who went 12-for-32 for 67 yards.

The Cougars got the scoring going midway in the first quarter with a little gamble on fourth and seven. From the Aiea 21-yard line, Judd stood tall in the pocket long enough to find Destin Moss in the end zone on a corner route. Matt Sai’s PAT was good to make it 7-0 Kaiser.

After the Kaiser defense forced Na Alii to punt, McDaniel began to take over. On the first play of the Cougars’ next series, McDaniel took a sweep around left end 70 yards to the house. McDaniel later plunged one in from two yards out to give the Cougars a 21-0 lead into the second quarter.

“I like the fast tempo of the offense,” McDaniel said. “It wears down the defense so it’s good for us.”

A fumble recovery by Kaiser linebacker Parker Higgins set up McDaniel’s third touchdown of the night. Higgins recovered a low Aiea snap which gave Kaiser possession at the Na Alii 25-yard line. A 24-yard reception by McDaniel set up his one-yard touchdown plunge.

Kaiser’s defense also had a big night against Aiea, holding Na Alii to 87 yards passing. Nic Tom’s bobbling 46-yard interception for a touchdown late in the second quarter was the exclamation mark to the defense’s stellar performance.

Aiea’s lone score of the evening came on a halfback pass from Kodi Ongory-Mathais to Pohaku Kealoha-Cambe for a 20-yard touchdown pass play just before the end of the first half. Kaiser led 35-7 at the break.

Kaiser scored 17 more points in the second half for the final score of 52-7. McDaniel scored another touchdown and Judd hooked up with Moss for another scoring play. Sai also kicked a 27-yard field goal in the second half.

“I think we can use this win as motivation because (the) guys can see that Division I isn’t so bad and that we can hang,” Higgins said on the win. “ They put in work over the summer and they’re starting to see the fruit of their labor.”

Kaiser will host Waianae next Friday while Aiea will enjoy a bye.