Despite trailing 14-0 at the end of the first quarter, Waimea (1-0) defeated Hawaii Prep with a last minute touchdown, 26-21, Saturday night at Hanapepe Ballpark. Hawaii Prep, ranked No. 9 in the ScoringLive/OC16 Division II Power Rankings, dropped to 0-1. The Menehunes were the lone Kauai Interscholastic Federation team to pick up a win on opening weekend. 

“It’s big for our program,” Waimea coach Jason Caldeira said on his team’s win. “It’s a positive start to our season. It’s really big to our young kids who had got a chance to play.” 

The Menehunes’ early deficit was a result of two fumbles that got recycled for scores. Ka Makani hooked up on a touchdown pass between Koa Ellis Jr. and Justin Perry to draw first blood, and later returned a Waimea fumble to go up by two scores. 

Then Waimea buckled down and proceeded to score 20 points unanswered. The Menehunes got their first score of the night in the second quarter on a four-yard touchdown run out of junior running back Jaycob Rapanot. The PAT field and Hawaii Prep held a 14-6 lead at the break.

The score got knotted up 14-all with a big touchdown pass connection between Waimea quarterback Patrick Keamoai-Strickland and receiver Neno Costales. The two-point try was good making the score even.

Keamoai-Strickland later scored on a keeper to give Waimea its first lead of the game. The PAT failed however, giving the home team a 20-14 lead heading into the fourth.

Ka Makani finally answered with 3:58 to go in the fourth on a two-yard touchdown run from Alex Brost. Brost also kicked the PAT to put Hawaii Prep up 21-20.

Waimea did not score on its ensuing possesion, but did get the ball back with an under two minutes remaining. Using a no-huddle approach, the Menehunes were able to drive down the field for the eventual game-winner. Keamoai-Strickland hooked up with Costales for a nine-yard touchdown pass for the game’s final score.

Caleb Ephan iced the game for the Menehunes with his interception on Ellis Jr. with 13 points remaining in the game.

Waimea will have a weekend off before taking on No. 3 Kapaa in league play.