Kauai outlasts Kalaheo in defensive barnburner


Michael Lasquero | ScoringLive
August 3, 2019, 12:36am

Kauai senior Awe Parangao makes a reception in the second half against Kalaheo Friday night. Michael Lasquero | SL

KAILUA — Awe Parangao was not going to be the reason why the Kauai football team lost its season opener.

After throwing two interceptions in the first quarter, the Kauai senior contributed in other positions to help the Red Raiders outlast Kalaheo, 7-0, in a defensive slugfest Friday night at Alex Kane Stadium.

Parangao, who went 1-for-5 passing for one yard in the Red Raiders' first three drives, moved to slotback before the first quarter ended and made an impact as a receiver, hauling in a 7-yard touchdown pass from sophomore Andrew Passi for the game's lone score. He also intercepted a pass on defense a made a fourth down tackle to end the Mustangs' penultimate drive of the game.

"I just thought of what I could do to better myself and better my team and give my team a better chance to score," said Parangao. "We started off with a messy start. We really had the butterflies, but we finished strong. We just got to work through the season."

Parangao was one of many Kauai players playing multiple positions against Kalaheo. With 12 players not making the trip due to academic probation, the Red Raiders (1-0) suited just 29 players in their win over the Mustangs (0-1).

Among those playing out-of-position was outside linebacker Kamu Peahu, who became the de facto starter at running back with the Red Raiders' top two backs at home. Peahu was exceptional with 100 yards on the ground on 15 carries while hauling in two passes out of the backfield for 41 receiving yards. He also saw time as a defensive lineman and combined on a sack with Bradshaw Soboleski on Kalaheo's final play from scrimmage.

"It was an overall team effort," said Kauai second-year coach Jason Apilado. "With everybody that traveled, I think they did an excellent job."

Kauai controlled the line of scrimmage defensively, giving up just seven total yards on the ground. The Mustangs' Payton Barber did run for 51 yards, but seven sacks by the Red Raiders' defense lowered the team's total rushing numbers.

Dahlus Hood led the effort with four sacks, one of which led to a fumble.

"He's been a big surprise," Apilado said of Hood. "We moved him from the offensive side — he was our left side tackle last year — he was interested playing defense and he's really settling in the defensive tackle position for us so he did a good job."

Another positive for the Red Raiders was the play of Passi. In his first-ever varsity contest, the sophomore signal-caller completed 11 of 18 passes for 132 yards and a TD.

"Andrew has my back, even in practice," Parangao said of Passi. "He's got a good arm, he's got the reads. He just lacks the experience, but he always got my back and he did really good tonight."

It may have been a shutout loss, but Kalaheo coach Darrell Poole will take it as the score differential was a lot closer than when the two teams met in the 2018 season opener, with Kauai winning 40-6.

"I think the key for us was the defense," said Poole. "I kind of had a feeling that we were going to struggle on offense with a makeshift offensive line with key guys out.

"I'm very proud of them and where we're at. I think we're still a week away from where we're supposed to be. I'm very proud of them tonight. That's a good Kauai team that we just lost to. It was a good matchup for us."

Coming down with interceptions for the Mustangs were freshman Riis Webber and senior Jordan Neufeldt, who added two receptions for 51 yards on offense. Noe Vega and Jonah Lene each had a fumble recovery to add to the defensive effort.

Kalaheo will open up OIA Division II play next Saturday against Kalani while Kauai will have two weeks off before hosting Maui on Aug. 24.


Reach Michael Lasquero at [email protected].