Matsunami's 6 TDs power Aiea past Radford for first win

Aiea quarterback Ty Matsunami (8) accounted for six total touchdowns in Na Alii's win Friday night. CJ Caraang | SL

ALIAMANU — Ty Matsunami made sure Aiea broke into the win column on Friday night.

The senior quarterback accounted for six total touchdowns to lead Na Alii past Radford, 46-22, in an Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I Blue Conference matchup at John E. Velasco Stadium to help Aiea notch its first win of the 2017 season to improve to 1-2 overall.

"We're a good team, but our team has to be consistent. Our kids are capable, you just have to finish your job and finish the game," said Aiea coach Wendell Say.

The Rams, who won their first game after Kaiser's forfeit, drop to 1-2 overall as well.

Matsunami threw for 397 yards and five touchdowns on 34-of-45 passing and rushed for 31 yards and scored the game's only rushing touchdown. His blemishes were two interceptions — both to Radford's Anthony John Benito.

"We wanted this win all week and we practiced hard every day," said Matsunami.

Fabian Bautista caught a game-high 15 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns while Zachary Kalahiki-Basque added 89 receiving yards and three scores.

"I think they are some of the best receivers in the state," said Matsunami.

Aiea's opening nine-play drive resulted in a touchdown as Matsunami scored from 10 yards out but the PAT kick was no good.

Following Babu Capanang's interception, Na Alii answered with a seven-play, 52-yard drive that resulted in Bautista's 13-yard pass from Matsunami and again, the kick was blocked for a 12-0 lead.

Matsunami lead another seven-play scoring drive and found his favorite target Bautista for 20 yards to make it, 19-0 after Kaitlyn Hamilton's kick.

The Rams turned it over on downs and Na Alii took advantage as Matsunami hooked up with Kalahiki-Basque for a 13-yard score. 14 seconds later, Isaiah Ripley intercepted Randy Wright's pass and returned it 37 yards to open the flood gates for Aiea to make it, 33-0.

"I keep telling them, even though you have a comfortable lead, you cannot relax. Our kids have to realize that they (Radford) is capable of scoring," said Say.

Matai Suitonu returned the ensuing kick off 83 yards and managed to recover his own fumble in the end zone for Radford's first points. Wright threw a 2-point conversion pass to 6-foot-4 Robert Garrison as the Rams trailed, 33-8, with 4:48 left in the third quarter.

Wright threw two touchdowns both to Cameron Copeland for 27 and 39 yards in the second half. Wright finished with 135 passing yards and was picked off three times. Iovani Alatini added 77 rushing yards on 12 attempts. Kyle Sudog led Radford's defense with nine tackles — two were for losses.

Matsunami threw two more scores in the second half both to Kalahiki-Basque from 45 and 19 yards out and was done for the night early in the fourth quarter.

The Rams recorded a safety with 22 seconds left in the game.

Aiea hosts No. 1 Kahuku (3-0 overall) on Sept. 1 while Radford takes on Centennial (Oregon) on the same day.

Reach Brandon Ching at [email protected].