Kaiser zooms past Radford to stay atop OIA D2 standings


Kaiser wideout Kamakana Mahiko (13) runs down the right sideline on a 78-yard catch-and-run for his third score of the game. Michael Lasquero | SL

MAKALAPA — Kamakana Mahiko was in his bag Friday night.

The Kaiser senior hauled in 10 receptions for 292 yards and three touchdowns as the visiting Cougars spoiled Radford's homecoming night in a 34-14 win at John E. Velasco Stadium.

Kaiser improved to 4-0 on the year to remain the lone unbeaten team atop the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II standings. Radford suffered its first loss of the season and dropped to 3-1.

Mahiko put his imprint on the game from the get-go with a deep reception down the left sideline after a bad snap resulted in a 20-yard loss. He then scored on a 6-yard pass in the red zone to give Kaiser the early lead.

The 5-foot-11, 160-pound senior's second TD came on a 75-yard catch-and-run after catching a jump ball over a Radford defender. Mahiko also had a 78-yard TD reception in the second quarter to give Kaiser a 27-14 lead at the break.

"He came up big time today," Kaiser coach Tim Seaman said of Mahiko, who also sees time at cornerback. "I was really happy for him that he was able to get the ball in space. He showed what he was capable of doing."

Quarterback Easton Yoshino completed 22 of 36 passes for 462 yards and four scores as the Cougars accumulated 569 yards of total offense.

Justin Kanekoa had the other receiving TD for Kaiser, which came on a 48-yard score that helped the visitors retake the lead, 20-14, with 7:10 to play in the second quarter.

Running backs Ryder Rodrigues and Kai Blackston added 80 yards and 66 yards rushing respectively to balance the offense. Blackston, who was playing in his first game of the year after recovering from an injury, added a 2-yard score late in the fourth quarter for the game's final score.

Kaiser had opportunities to punch in more scores in the second half, but turned it over one downs inside the red zone on multiple occasions.

"We need to do a better job," said Seaman. "This is just one game in a long journey."

Radford quarterback Kalob Victorino-Avilla was 22-for-39 passing for 275 yards with two TDs and one interception.

Olijah Gomez hauled in an 18-yard TD on fourth down to tie the game at 7 at the 6:50 mark of the first quarter. Jack Carlson had the other score, on a 19-yard pass near the front left pylon. Harrison Hoskins' PAT after Carlson's TD momentarily gave Radford a 14-13 lead before Kanekoa's score 30 seconds later.

Kaiser plays Pearl City (2-2) next Friday while Radford travels to play Kalani on Saturday. Both games will be held at the Cougars' field.