Kaululaau, PAC-5 carve up Pahoa

Greg Yamamoto | SL

KALIHI—Blade Kaululaau was razor-sharp and the defense did its part in PAC-5's 36-0 preseason win over Pahoa at Farrington's Edward ‘Skippa' Diaz Stadium at Kusunoki Field Saturday.

The Wolfpack hounded the visiting Daggers (0-1 overall) from the Big Island and held them to 85 yards of total offense and recorded three interceptions while the offense did their damage all in the first half to improve to 1-0 overall.

Kaululaau, who had his season cut short last year due to injury, got his juices flowing as he rushed for 43 yards and three touchdowns. He added three solo tackles on defense and an interception in the third quarter.

"After COVID hit and we missed the season and that season I came back, I ended up getting injured so two seasons out, makes me super happy to get back on the field," Kaululaau said.

The Wolfpack punctuated its opening drive with a 4-yard Kaululaau run and he ran in for two to make it, 8-0.

"I like to get help out the team as best as I can. Putting us up early, brings up everybody's play and makes them happy and relax. We make mistakes but we can play hard," Kaululaau said.

"Blade has been a really good leader in the offseason and he doesn't speak much, but lets his actions do the talking. He's been the key to why this has been a team effort and not a one-man show. When he gets the ball, he makes the most of it," PAC-5 coach Kena Heffernan said.

Kaululaau capped a two-play scoring drive with a 21-yard touchdown after Breydon Gono's fumble recovery and Carter Lapitan recovered a muffed punt that resulted in Kaululaau's third rushing touchdown from 4 yards out for a 22-0 lead after the first quarter.

"My linemen came down and all I saw was open field and I had to turn on the jets and go for the end zone," Kauluaau said.

Daymian Lapitan picked off Dayton Asuncion to return it 62 yards the other way and a two-point pass from Koki Kaai to Kalen Donate made it, 30-0.

Braden Sarahina threw a 30-yard touchdown to Dawson Coover on a fourth-and-7 with 6:42 left in the second quarter for the final points of the afternoon as the second half went into running clock.

Gono led the Wolfpack defense with five solo tackles and a pass break up to go with his fumble recovery. Jake Chambers had two sacks and Duke Mobley had two tackle for losses.

Noah Kaawaloa led the Daggers with 82 all-purpose yards and Souljah Gorospe-Gonsalves and Cash Cohen each added five solo tackles in defeat.

"They came down today with great hearts and they have great coaching staff. They can be really good. They have some good guys. It was great sportsmanship across the board, both the kids and coaching staff. This is what football is about, building bridges between Oahu and the Big Island, I was really happy about that," Heffernan said of Pahoa.

The Wolfpack don't have the most ideal practice and workout amenities, but will make the best of a tough situation.

"Anytime, anywhere, anyplace, that's the mantra. We can't just say that and not prepare for it. We don't have access to facilities that most have, but we make the most of what we do have. The kids have been doing more with less and just making it most about the team," Heffernan said.

The Wolfpack look to continue its winning ways and will face Kalaheo at Kailua's Alex Kane Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 13.

The Daggers have a bye and will begin Big Island Interscholastic Federation play against Kohala on Saturday, Aug. 20.

Reach Brandon Ching at [email protected].