Kapolei running back Ronald Matautia carries the ball against Moanalua. Peter Caldwell | SL

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Fri, Sep 5, 2014 @ Moanalua [ 8:00 pm ]

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Kapolei

25

Moanalua

14

Final	1	2	3	4	T
Kapolei (4-5-0)	0	7	12	0	25
Moanalua (3-5-0)	0	7	7	0	14

• Pass
• Rush
• Rec

Kawika Keama-Jacobe 148 yd

Alton Julius 100 yd

Michael Feliciano 31 yd 1 TD

Trensten Spragling 95 yd 2 TD

Jason Sharsh 94 yd

Tristan Centeio 47 yd

SALT LAKE -- After going through three tough games against top 10 teams in the ScoringLive/OC16 Power Rankings, Kapolei defeated Moanalua, 25-14 on a rain soaked Friday night to claim their first victory of the season. Kapolei improves to 1-3 overall in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Blue Division, while Moanalua (1-3), who started with an opening win against Waianae, dropped their third-straight game.

“They (Moanalua) were tough and had great skill position players and we felt we had to ride the running game and the strong arm of our quarterback to make plays when they counted and we’re happy for the win and the boys and happy for executing the game plan, there were some miscues and penalties and we need to improve our execution,” said Kapolei coach Darren Hernandez.

The rainy weather didn’t deter the Hurricanes as Kapolei scored all four touchdowns on the ground and finished with 275 net rushing yards for the game. Trensten Spragling led the way with 18 carries for 95 yards and two touchdowns and Ronald Matautia had eight carries for 68 yards and two touchdowns.

“I think the rainy weather helped us and we were able to run with a slew of running backs and our offensive line and that helped us open up our passing game,” said Hernandez.

The Hurricanes took advantage of turnovers and converted them into points. Jay Amina and L.J. Esperas each had fumble recoveries and Tristan Centeio had an interception.

“I thought we did well with turnovers and limit the effectiveness of their quarterback,” said Hernandez.

After Alton "Panaewa" Julius missed a 30-yard field goal, the Na Menehune got into Kapolei territory after Kawika Keama-Jacobe threw a 47-yard pass to Jason Sharsh to the Hurricanes’ 32-yard line. Moanalua got on the scoreboard first after Michael Feliciano scored on a 10-yard run and Thomas Sheridan’s kick made it 7-0.

On the ensuing kick off, Tristan Centeio 88-yard kick off return for a touchdown was called back due to a penalty. The Hurricanes started on their own 20-yard line and drove 80 yards on nine plays capped off by Ronald Matautia’s 3-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 7.

Spragling lost the ball and Moanalua’s Kea Rodrigues picked it up and returned it 52-yards for the touchdown to give Moanalua a 14-13 lead. Following the play, there were personal foul penalties and it appeared a player was ejected. Julius was that player and after a long discussion, the refs assessed penalties on Kapolei and Moanalua ended up kicking on the Kapolei 30-yard line and tried an onside kick attempt. In a change of events, Julius was not ejected and finished the game 7-of-13 passing for 100 yards and had 10 rushes for 74 yards. 

“That was great, and Kea Rodrigues and ran it on in. They had two penalties that resulted in us kicking from the 35-yard line and you would think we would pin them back and get good field position. They recovered it and went on a 70-yard drive or something and that just killed our spirits,” said Cauley. 

Keama-Jacobe passed it to Steven Feliciano, but fumbled it and Kapolei’s Jay Amina recovered it. In four plays, the Hurricanes converted the turnover into points after Spragling ran it in for an 11-yard touchdown to make it, 19-14.

Jason Sharsh of Moanalua led all receivers with five catches for 94 yards.

After another Moanalua fumble, this time on the kick off, L.J. Esperas recovered it for Kapolei. The Hurricanes used a five-play drive that covered 44-yards and Spragling scored his second touchdown for the game for 21-yards to put Kapolei up two scores.

“We played like we practice and that summed it up right there. We had a bad week of practice, 18 kids missing on Labor Day, we came out and played how we practiced,” said Moanalua coach Jason Cauley.

Kapolei will host No. 6 Campbell on Sept. 12, while Moanalua has a bye week next week.

 “We’re going to lick our wounds and there’s no feeling sorry for ourselves,” said Cauley.

Note: Prior to the game there was a moment of silence to remember Moanalua senior, Leighton Mow who passed away while hiking at Kapena Falls. The Moanalua players spelled out the initials “LM” with their helmets as they sang their alma mater.