Kaiser gets defensive in 28-6 win over Kalani

Greg Yamamoto | SL

Kamakana Mahiko and Caleb Garcia each had interceptions returned for scores as Kaiser opened up its 2021 campaign with a 28-6 win over rival Kalani.

It wasn't a pretty game by any stretch, as both teams combined for 7 interceptions in the contest. But the Cougars generated enough offense, particularly in the third quarter, to get the job done.

Sophomore Donovan Reis got the start at quarterback in place of Easton Yoshino, who was not suited up for the game Reis ran in a score from a yard out at the 7:04 mark coming out of halftime and then added another touchdown on a 33 yard pass to Mahiko to give the home team some breathing room. Reis finished with 163 yards on 18 of 34 passing and added 19 rushing yards.

Defense was the story for Kaiser, as they ended the first with Mahiko's 66 yard pick-six and put the finishing touches on the victory on Caleb Garcia's 59 yard interception return at the 1:10 mark in the fourth. The Cougars' defense picked four passes, three of them by Mahiko alone, and added two sacks and five tackles for loss.

Falcons' QB Logan Lim completed just 17 of 30 passes for 141 yards, but his 8 yard pass to Noah Uchida midway through the second quarter kept Kalani in it heading into the intermission.