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Michael Lasquero | ScoringLiveSeptember 10, 2022, 12:01am
Fri, Sep 9, 2022 @ Waipahu [ 7:30 pm ]
No. 15 Waipahu took advantaged of a much-needed bye week and put it all together Friday night.
The Marauders held visiting Farrington to just 96 yards of total offense and put up 35 points in the second quarter in a dominating 43-0 win in an OIA Division I contest before a crowd of about 1,500 fans at Masa Yonamine Athletic Complex.
Senior linebacker Romeo Tagata led all defenders with 10 total tackles — with 4 and 1/2 of them coming behind the line of scrimmage — and junior receiver Chazen Rodillas-Vesido had a breakout game with five catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns to help Waipahu improve to 3-1 overall and 2-0 in league play.
It was the first win for the Marauders since they last took to the field in a 35-7 win over Radford on Aug. 26.
Waipahu coach Bryson Carvalho said the extra time off allowed his team to heal up from injuries as well as prepare for a Farrington team that was coming off a 21-18 win over McMinnville in Oregon.
"I think the bye week helped, getting everybody on track and healthy. Our line has been unhealthy, this is the first time that we've had everybody. To play a team like (Farrington), you got to win the battle in the trenches."
The Waipahu defense made its presence felt from the get-go.
On Farrington's first play from scrimmage, Tagata was able to surge through and pick up a sack on quarterback Chansen Smith. Caleb Lauifi then forced a fumble that was recovered by Zyon Faleiva to set up Waipahu's first scoring drive.
"We knew it was going to be physical," said Tagata, who also had a strip sack on third down that derailed a second-half drive.
Waipahu LB Romeo Tagata led all defenders with 10 tackles (8 solo) while having 4.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble as the Marauders held Farrington to 96 yards of total offense in their 43-0 win. pic.twitter.com/PYhJng96Nt — Michael Lasquero (@MichaelLasquero) September 10, 2022
Waipahu LB Romeo Tagata led all defenders with 10 tackles (8 solo) while having 4.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble as the Marauders held Farrington to 96 yards of total offense in their 43-0 win. pic.twitter.com/PYhJng96Nt
"We don't shy away from that physicality. We love a battle. If they want to come out fighting, we were going to come out fighting too. We just had to make sure we came harder."
The Marauders did not come away with any interceptions, but they did hold Farrington to just 30 yards through the air. Along with Tagata, Faapaia "Ia" Fualema, Benjamin Brown and Myles Barry all had a hand in one of Waipahu's four sacks.
"We just played with unity, we played as team," said Tagata. "When we made mistakes, we didn't get down on each other. We didn't yell at each other. We uplifted each other, that's what made our defense strong tonight, we played as one."
Including its four sacks, the Waipahu defense had 10 total tackles for loss in the win. Tagata made sure to give credit to 6-foot, 355-pound sophomore defensive tackle Tamasoalii Sione for occupying blockers that allowed other defenders to make plays.
"He doesn't get all the glory, but he does his job," Tagata said of Sione. "He takes on the double team and he opens the gaps for me to make a tackle. With a team player like him, I can make the play."
Liatama Uiliata scored the first touchdown for the Marauders, catching a 14-yard fade pass towards the left sideline. He also ran in the 2-point conversion to give Waipahu an early 8-0 lead.
Uiliata later flexed his versatility on a fake field goal try when he took the snap and rolled right looking to pass before reversing field and running for an 11-yard gain to convert on fourth down.
This helped set up Waipahu's first score of the second quarter, an 11-yard TD pass from Joshua "JJ" Manu to Rodillas-Vesido over the middle.
Waipahu adds to its lead with this Joshua Manu 11-yard TD pass to Chazen Rodillas-Vesido. Marauders lead Farrington, 15-0 (11:11/2Q) pic.twitter.com/Rd6aMYRfGN — Michael Lasquero (@MichaelLasquero) September 10, 2022
Waipahu adds to its lead with this Joshua Manu 11-yard TD pass to Chazen Rodillas-Vesido.
Marauders lead Farrington, 15-0 (11:11/2Q) pic.twitter.com/Rd6aMYRfGN
"I saw an opening, there was a window, I sat right there and my QB, JJ, he hit me right in the window," said Rodillas-Vesido, who was recovering from a knee and finger injury.
The junior receiver turned in another big play to set up Waipahu's next scoring drive. From the left slot position, Rodillas-Vesido faked like he was going to block on a wideout screen, but he turned upfield on a wheel route and caught a deep pass that turned into a 51-yard gain.
Braeden Togafau scored on the very next play to put Waipahu ahead, 22-0, at the 8:42 mark of the second quarter.
Disaster struck the Governors on the ensuing kickoff when Tyrus "Samu" Niuatoa recovered a fumble on the return for the Marauders. The quick turnaround led to a 1-yard TD run by Manu to make it a 29-0 game.
The Marauders defense came up with a forced fumble and a sack on the following drive, which gave Waipahu a short field after a punt.
A 28-yard completion to Uiliata took the Marauders inside Farrington territory, setting up Rodillas-Vesido's full-extension grab from 29 yards out two plays later to extend Waipahu's lead, 36-0.
Joshua Manu finds Chazen Rodillas-Vesido, who is having himself a game! Waipahu is up 43-0 at the half on #spectrumxcast#spectrumoc16sports #OIAfootball #hawaiifootball pic.twitter.com/n57KXPaeP9 — Spectrum OC16 Sports (@OC16Sports) September 10, 2022
Joshua Manu finds Chazen Rodillas-Vesido, who is having himself a game! Waipahu is up 43-0 at the half on #spectrumxcast#spectrumoc16sports #OIAfootball #hawaiifootball pic.twitter.com/n57KXPaeP9
"I didn't think I was going to grab it, but I had a chance, I took the chance and I got it," said Rodillas-Vesido.
Togafau scored again as time expired in the second quarter and Xavier Transfiguracion tacked on his fifth PAT of the night for the final points of the game.
The Marauders have a big game ahead of themselves when they travel to take on reigning league champion Aiea next Saturday at Radford.
Farrington will try to bounce back next Friday when it hosts Radford.
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