Kaimuki takes down Kaiser to spoil homecoming

Rayden Aoki | Special to SL

Led by a trio of scores by brothers Iosefa and Iosua Letuli, Kaimuki spoiled Kaiser's homecoming with a 20-7 win.

"It was a good look for us to know that we're still in it, and that we can still compete with all the other teams," said Iosefa Letuli.

Older brother Iosefa scored a rushing touchdown on a goal line keeper and completed 17 of 22 passes for 222 yards, including a back-breaking 42 yard pass to Jeremiah White to make it an all-important two score cushion. The younger Letuli added a scoring plunges from two yards out to open the scoring for Kaimuki, then made a key play on the defensive end, picking off a Cougars' pass attempt in the second half.

The Bulldogs led 13-0 at the half on Iosua's two rushing scores, but saw that margin trimmed at the 8:12 mark of the third when Sean Connell scored on a four yard keeper to get the Cougars back in it.

Iosefa Letuli found White at the 4:14 mark of the third with a streak down the left sideline to stretch the lead back to 13.

"We noticed the backers was coming down hard on the run so if we could play action off of that we knew it would be good for Miah to be open," said Iosefa Letuli.

The Cougars had its share of chances to get back into it, which included a late fumble recovery by Kila Nutt setting up the Kaiser offense well into Kaimuki territory. But the home team was unable to dial up the big play when it needed it, and a last gasp pass attempt in the closing seconds was picked off by Ezekiel Kuiee-Matias to end it.

"Our defense did a great job of doing their job and that's what he had to do to win, we had to win all three phases," said Iosefa Letuli.

The win by the Bulldogs created a three-way tie for second place in the OIA Division II standings, with Kaiser and Roosevelt each sporting 3-2 records.