Football
Turnover battle key for Marauders, Lunas


Wes Nakama
November 16, 2011, 9:41pm


As the holiday season approaches, Lahainaluna and Waipahu are quickly learning that -- in football, at least -- it can be more rewarding to take than to give.

Especially when it comes to turnovers.

The two teams will square off at 7 p.m. Friday at Waipahu's Masa Yonamine Stadium in the First Hawaiian Bank/Hawai'i High School Athletic Association Division II Football State Championship semifinals.

Lahainaluna (7-4) advanced after defeating Konawaena, 23-6, last Friday despite gaining only 17 yards of total offense -- all on the ground. The Lunas benefitted from eight Wildcat turnovers, including a 61-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Mark Alamon to help give them a 7-0 lead 30 seconds into the second quarter.

The other seven turnovers were interceptions -- three by freshman Scott Medeiros-Tagatailoa, two from junior Bryant Kaena Felicilda and one each by Semisi Filikitonga and Tytus Lucas.

Filikitonga's interception set up Lahainaluna's second touchdown, a 12-yard run by freshman Jared Rocha, and his sack in the end zone scored a safety that put the Lunas up, 16-6, in the third quarter.

Felicilde's fourth-quarter interception led to Lahainaluna's final TD, a 4-yard run by Rocha.

For Waipahu (8-3), turnovers also played a key role in its 9-7 victory over Pearl City two weeks ago for the O'ahu Interscholastic Association White Conference championship.

The Marauders gathered four interceptions and two fumbles, including two picks by defensive back Beaver Lagima, Jr.

His first interception near midfield helped set up Jayson Gonsalves' 31-yard field to give Waipahu a quick 3-0 lead barely three minutes into the game. Travis Teofilo then recovered a fumble at the Chargers' 27-yard line that led to Wesley Nagaseu's 1-yard touchdown run that made it 9-0 in the second quarter.

The Marauders' offense had much more success than Lahainaluna's, as quarterback Drake Yoshioka completed 13 of 25 passes without an interception for 104 yards, and fullback Gregorio Alip gained 47 yards on 14 carries.



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