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The King Kekaulike football team relied on a powerful running game and strong defense to defeat Lahainaluna 35-0 on Friday, Sept. 11, for its third consecutive victory.
Na Alii have scored at least 35 points in consecutive games after putting up 36 in a win against Maui High in their previous contest.
Against Lahainaluna, King Kekaulike running back Kanoa Kuailani scored two rushing touchdowns and returned an interception to the Lahainaluna 6-yard line, while Moae Miranda returned an interception 36 yards for a touchdown.
Nainoa Mata gave Na Alii a lead in the first quarter when he broke free for a 53-yard touchdown run. Easton Decoite added the first of his five successful extra-point kicks to make it 7-0.
Lahainaluna forced a fumble later in the quarter when Chase Loebl knocked the ball loose and the Lunas recovered at their 38-yard line, but the Lunas were unable to capitalize on the turnover.
King Kekaulike continued to pound the ball on the ground, while its defense pressured Lahainaluna quarterback Sefo Leka Rosenthal and limited openings for the Lunas' running game.
Na Alii extended their lead after forcing another turnover in the second quarter. Linebacker Ronin Raboy met the Lahainaluna ball carrier in the backfield and knocked the ball loose, and Jonah Shim recovered the fumble for Na Alii.
King Kekaulike capitalized on the turnover when Kuailani broke a 37-yard run from the Lahainaluna 38 to the 1. Shortly after that Wayne Kahula scored on a short run to give King Kekaulike a 14-0 lead with 1:46 remaining in the first half.
Kuailani made another big play early in the third quarter, intercepting a pass at the King Kekaulike 49 and returning it to the Lahainaluna 6. He carried the ball into the end zone on the next play to increase the lead to 21-0 with Decoite's extra point.
Kuailani scored again on a 6-yard run early in the fourth quarter to make it 28-0.
On Lahainaluna's next offensive play, Rosenthal was intercepted by Miranda, who returned the ball 36 yards for a touchdown with 8:10 remaining. Decoite's fifth extra point completed the scoring.
According to ScoringLive.com, King Kekaulike quarterback Slade Kamaunu completed 3-of-4 passes for 56 yards, while Kingston Goliday completed his only attempt for 22 yards.
Kuailani finished with 69 yards on seven carries, Mata had 65 yards on eight attempts and Kahula carried the ball 13 times for 35 yards. Kaumuali'i Malaqui led Na Alii with two receptions for 44 yards.
For Lahainaluna, Rosenthal completed 4-of-17 passes for 23 yards and was intercepted twice. He also ran seven times for 23 yards. Kanoa Moreno led the Lunas on the ground with 32 yards on eight carries, and Urijah Ragudo caught two passes for 14 yards.
On Friday, Sept. 18, King Kekaulike is scheduled to play Kamehameha Maui, while Lahainaluna faces Baldwin.
King Kekaulike 35, Lahainaluna 0
King Kekaulike 7 7 7 14 -- 35
Lahainaluna 0 0 0 0 -- 0