Damien and Kaiser Secure Key Wins in High School Football

No. 10 Damien High School secured a crucial victory over Iolani, narrowly winning with a score of 42-35 at Kozuki Stadium on Friday afternoon. Quarterback AJ Tuifua played a pivotal role, amassing 274 yards through the air and throwing four touchdown passes. This win propels the Monarchs to an 8-1 overall record and confirms their place in next month’s First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA State Championships, as they remain unbeaten in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu (ILH) at 5-0.

AJ Tuifua’s performance was complemented by receivers Dayton Savea and Kaysen Dulay-Gorai. Each caught a pair of touchdowns, with Savea notably gathering 112 yards from four receptions, including scores of 14 and 67 yards. Running back Sylas Alaimalo added to the offensive efforts with a strong second-half performance, rushing for 156 yards on 14 carries and scoring on runs of 80 and 4 yards.

The competitive matchup saw Iolani fight back from a 21-point deficit at the end of the third quarter. Quarterback CJ Villanueva completed 26 of 41 passes, racking up 326 yards and four touchdown passes. Tyger Hayashi recorded 12 catches for 159 yards while teammate Kekama Kane had 11 receptions amounting to 146 yards. Despite their efforts, which saw the Raiders score three times in the fourth quarter, Iolani ended the season with a 4-6 record.

In another intense high school football clash, Kaiser High School celebrated a triumphant Homecoming night with a decisive 42-21 victory over Waialua. Kaiser’s impressive offensive line was key, as the team accumulated 426 yards, maintaining their strong position in the OIA Division II standings.

Dillon Reis, a standout running back for Kaiser, rushed for 126 yards and contributed significantly with a 71-yard touchdown run. He also mentioned the critical role his teammates played, stating, “I have one-hundred percent trust in my team, and the o-line is ones that create that gap for us to run through.”

Kaiser’s passing game, albeit less efficient with only 135 yards from 7 completions out of 17 attempts, was highlighted by Caleb Hamasaki’s two touchdown receptions. Waialua’s Emery Abilla stood out on the opposing side with 126 rushing yards from 22 carries, displaying strong individual performance in a competitive second half.

Ultimately, Kaiser’s solid defense, marked by a crucial interception from Tea Nuuhiwa-Santos in the closing moments, solidified the victory. The win keeps Kaiser at the top of their division with only one game remaining in the regular season.