Kuni leads Waialua past McKinley, 33-8

Mycah Yokotake | Special to SL

Lancen Kuni scored twice on offense and once on defense to lead Waialua to a 33-8 win over McKinley in an Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II game at Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium Saturday night.

The Bulldogs improved to 4-2 and clinched a spot in the four-team league tournament with the win. The Tigers fell to 0-7, 0-6 OIA D2.

Kuni was on the receiving end of touchdown passes of 33 and 8 yards from quarterback Tevesi Toia, who threw for 134 yards and three scores on 16-of-24 passing, but was intercepted three times. Kuni finished with six receptions for 63 yards and also scored on a 34-yard fumble return on defense, which gave the Bulldogs a 20-0 lead by halftime.

Waialua's other scores came on a fumble recovery in the end zone by Matthan Hatchie in the second quarter and Howard Nahooikaika's 1-yard TD pass from Toia in the fourth.

Noah-Rodnie Diaz's 11-yard touchdown pass from Elyjah-Dane Badua in the fourth quarter accounted for McKinley's lone score. It was the first points scored by the Tigers since Aug. 19, when they lost to Kalaheo, 28-14.

Both teams close out the regular season this week. Waialua visits Pearl City (5-1) Friday, while McKinley takes on Kalani (3-3) Saturday.