Second-half surge helps Kaiser race past Kalaheo

Greg Yamamoto | SL

Kaiser overcame some early miscues and missed opportunties, scoring 46 straight points to flip a close contest early into a easy win over Kalaheo at the final buzzer, 46-12.

Makana Naleieha had three touchdown receptions, all in the third quarter, and caught a total of seven passes for a game-high 176 yards. Starting QB Easton Yoshino completed 21 of 31 passes for 371 and five scores, his fourth straight 300 yard game.

Kalaheo struck first, with Alika Amasiu finding Kamalu Anoba-Jordan on a perfectly called 31 yard screen pass to get the home team on the board. The visiting Cougars' quickly equalized with Yoshino finding Keegan Lime on a nine yard pass play in the opening moments of the second quarter, but the ensuing PAT was wide right, keeping the score knotted at 6-all.

A Dillon Reis touchdown scamper from 10 yards out at the 6:30 mark until halftime made it 12-6, and Lime caught his second touchdown of the evening, this one from 25 yards away, to make it an 18-6 game at the break.

In the third quarter it was the Yoshino to Naleieha show, with the duo connecting on a touchdown strikes from 41, 13 and 63 yards respectively, putting the game all but out of reach.

Kai Strawn scored the final touchdown for the Cougars, weaving his way 14 yards to the end zone to invoke the mercy rule at the 11:39 mark of the fourth.

Kalaheo did manage a late score, capping an extended drive with a nine yard dive up the middle by Carlos Fraticelli with just 32 seconds left in the contest, taking the game out of running clock. The ensuing onside kick was recovered by the Mustangs, but the Cougars interecepted an errant pass a play later to seal the deal.

Beyond the two passing scores, Lime made his presence felt as well, intercepting two passes on the night. In total, Kaiser recorded six takeaways on the night, four picks and two fumble recoveries.