Kalani running back Connor Mararagan rushed for 57 yards as part of an overall 161-yard rushing attack from the Falcons. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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_19080401_KalaniKohala_0127.jpg - Greg Yamamoto | SL

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HAWAII KAI — Kalani scored in all three facets of the game as the Falcons dominated Kohala to open the season with a 35-0 win Saturday night in non-league play at Kaiser High School's football stadium.

The Falcons amassed 343 yards of total offense to just 32 from the Cowboys while adding a score each on special teams and defense.

Nathaniel Balangitao got Kalani on the scoreboard first with an 11-yard run on its first offensive possession of the game. Jake Lee added a pair of scores later on a 13-yard pass from quarterback Logan Lim and then a 6-yard run.

Kohala started the game with three three-and-out drives as punter Legend Libron shanked a punt into the charging Wakea Kanahele, who was able to scoop up the ball for a Falcons touchdown.

Kalani sealed the game later in the third quarter on former-QB-now-LB Nicholas Sakamoto's 20-yard interception return touchdown off a pass to the right side.

"I'm proud of the kids. They worked really hard all summer. They've been really good," Kalani coach Scott Melemai said. "Hats off to Kohala. They played really hard and are a growing, young team."

The Cowboys made the trip over from the Big Island and were playing in their first game since transitioning from eight-man football to 11-man.

With only 27 players suited up for Kohala, and most of them underclassmen, Kalani was able to pound the rock away with 6-foot-2, 200-pound Balangitao (13 carries, 90 yards) and 5-foot-7, 165-pounder Connor Mararagan (10 carries, 57 yards).

"Hopefully that will open it up more where people put more guys in the box," Melemai said. "We're looking at teams in our league that are covering the pass a lot better so we have to add another dimension because if we couldn't pass on teams, we need to be able to move the ball or at least get the ball moving."

Although they were shutout, it's all mostly about gaining experience for the Cowboys. Kohala arrived on Oahu last Tuesday and spent time at the practices of Kaiser, Castle and the University of Hawaii.

"I really wanted the kids to see what an Oahu team does and how much kids are on the field and participating," Kohala coach Chad Atkins said.

Defensively, the Cowboys were successful in getting to Falcons QB Lim with sacks from Zyan Caravalho Justus Ventura and Zak Javillonar — two of those coming on fourth down stops. Kalani went for it on fourth down four times and were only successful once.

"The experience level isn't where it needs to be for 11-man football. So this is why we did the whole Oahu trip because they got to learn early where they have to be and what they have to do. So why not come up here and feed them to the lions?" Atkins said.

Kohala (0-1) will have nearly the entire month off before starting Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division II play Aug 31 at Hawaii Prep.

Kalani (1-0) returns to Kaiser High School next Saturday against Kalaheo (0-1).