Fast start powers Kaimuki over Kalaheo

Brian Bautista | SL

The Kaimuki football team had the need for speed Friday night.

The Bulldogs scored on three explosive plays in the first quarter for an early 19-0 lead and never looked back as they ran past Kalaheo for a 46-19 win in both teams' regular season finale at Skippa Diaz Stadium at Kusunoki Field.

Avin Tanioka's 80-yard touchdown run on Kaimuki's first play from scrimmage set the tone early. He added another scoring run from 37 yards out midway through the opening period and Dante Peltier hauled in an 82-yard bomb from Iosefa Letuli before the end of the quarter.

A blocked punt led to Kalaheo's first score at the 7:10 mark of the second quarter, but the Bulldogs (4-4 overall, 4-3 OIA D2) roared back with two quick scores just before halftime. Letuli scored on a 1-yard run and Jeremiah White returned a fumble on defense 52 yards to pay dirt to give Kaimuki a 33-6 lead at the break.

Elijah Taylor and Kamalu Anoba-Jordan added TD runs in the second half for Kalaheo (1-8, 1-6). Iosua Letuli and Sonasi Latu had the scoring runs for Kaimuki after halftime.

The Bulldogs will enjoy a bye week before traveling to take on top-seeded Nanakuli in the OIA Division II four-team tournament.