Aiea's Dante Bareng tries to break free from a couple of tacklers in a preseason contest against the Kaiser Cougars. Rachel Stollar | Special to SL

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_18080424__MG_0491.jpg - Rachel Stollar | Special to SL

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HAWAII KAI — It wasn't a win — and it wasn't a loss either — but at least it was a fresh start in the right direction for the Kaiser football team.

The Cougars and visiting Aiea played to a 12-12 tie in a non-league matchup before a crowd of about 2,000 at the Ted Fukushima Athletic Complex Friday night.

The game was monumental for Kaiser, who forfeited all but one game last season. It was also the Cougars' first home game in 23 months and the first time that they were able to play on their newly renovated field.

Kaiser coach Tim Seaman, who last coached the team in 1994, was appreciative of all the fans that came to the game, which included many filing in before the contest reached halftime.

"We hope all our home games (that) the atmosphere is as positive as it was tonight," he said. "I think it was good for the school and again we continue to progress and move forward."

The Cougars jumped out to an early 12-0 lead to start the contest, getting two rushing touchdowns by quarterback Koa Tom before the end of the first quarter. Kaiser's first scoring drive began after Joseph Chin's strip sack and recovery, and its second trip into the end zone was set up by Tom's 38-yard pass completion to Mason Yoshino.

Aiea, who was playing with about 30 junior varsity players, would even out the point total before the break, however. Kayson Castillo threw a 20-yard scoring strike to Zacharias Kalahiki-Basque and a 10-yard touchdown pass to Fabian Bautista to tie the game with 4:33 left in the second quarter.

After getting their first PAT blocked, as well as denying the Cougars' two attempts, Na Alii went for two after Bautista's score but failed to convert, leaving the game tied at 12 heading into halftime.

The visitors moved the ball with greater success in the second half but struggled to get the necessary yards needed inside Kaiser territory. Aiea was also 0 for 3 on fourth down attempts after halftime and never advanced past the Cougars' 21-yard line.

Injuries began to take a toll on both teams in the second half. Tom, who split time with Casey Nguyen in the first half, took a hard hit in the third quarter and never returned back on the field.

Aiea had it worst. Castillo got knocked out of the game late in the fourth quarter which forced backup Jordan Cezar into action. Cezar completed just two passes and had one rushing attempt but also left the game with an injury leaving Aiea scrambling for a stopgap at quarterback.

"We got to take care of our injuries, too many injuries, (playing) the numbers game, it's tough," said Na Alii coach Wendell Say.

Regardless of the injuries towards the end of the game, both coaches were proud of their respective team's effort.

"It was a well played game," said Say. "Those guys came out ready to play and our kids gave it their best."

"We really liked our kids' effort, we like the fact that they played hard for four quarters and that's what we ask of them," said Seaman.

Kaiser will host Kalaheo to open Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II play while Aiea returns home to take on Nanakuli in its league opener. Both games are slated for next Friday, Aug. 10.