Ground game helps Waialua down Anuenue, 27-14


Waialua running back Mila Lele heads for the endzone for a score against Anuenue. Greg Yamamoto | SL

Waialua improved to 4-3 in Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II play with a 27-14 win over Anuenue at a rain-drenched Kaiser Stadium.

Bulldogs running back Mila Lele led all rushers with 80 yards on 9 carries, including a 21-yard score during the height of the monsoon, with just seconds left until halftime that extend the lead to 14. In all, Waialua ball carriers toted the muddied pigskin 47 times for 192 yards. Anuenue ran the ball 28 times for 133 yards.

Christian Paracuelles-Calaro got the scoring started for Waialua on the team's opening drive, catching a pass from Royce Tashiro from 5 yards away for a touchdown. Thomas Pule tacked on the extra point to cap off an 11-play, 56 yard drive.

Rains not only put a damper on the action on the field of play, but also put a stop to any of the festivities that were planned during halftime of what was Anuenue's Homecoming and Senior Night.

The weather eventually improved about midway through the third quarter, as did the play on the field.

The Bulldogs added a third touchdown on a three-yard run by Noah Alfanta-Lii to make the score 21-0 with 2:53 left in the third, but Na Koa answered right back, as Kimo Romena broke through the front line of the kick return coverage set up and headed down the right sideline before getting caught just yards from the end zone. Romena called his own number on a dive two plays later to get Anuenue on the scoreboard at 21-6.

Then, following an interception by Royce Gasper that put Waialua in business at the Anuenue 42, the Bulldogs cashed in on the good field position as Jacob Casey found the corner on the left edge and sped in for 16 yard score. The PAT was blocked, making the score 27-6 with 8:24 left in the game.

Na Koa answered back on the ensuing drive, getting a chunk of yardage through the air courtesy of a 33-yard hook up from Kona Kelokolio to Kekoa Lima. Kelokolio took things into his own hands, two plays later on a keeper, going 26 yards down the left sideline for the touchdown. The two-point pass attempt from Kelokolio to Kekoa Lima was successful, trimming the score to 27-14.

A fumble reovery by Kamanaopono Grace-Kekawa at the 3:22 mark of the fourth gave Na Koa a glimmer of hope at a comeback, but the drive stalled at the Waialua 21 as a fourth down and 7 pass fell incomplete.

Kelokolio led Anuenue in both passing (73) and rushing (70) yardage. Na Koa finished the year at 0-8.