PUKALANI–A beautiful cloudy day on the slopes of Haleakala, yesterday, was the setting for an excellent match-up as the Kamehameha Maui varsity football team and their twelve seniors took the field for one last hoo-rah against the Maui High School Sabers.
The Warriors were filled with spirit as they played their last game of the season in front of an amped up homecoming crowd, who packed the grandstands.
Emotions ran high as the Warriors sought retribution for the first game of the season, which they lost to the Sabers by one point in triple overtime, Aug. 27.
Whistles blew and the game began. The Warriors picked up the first score of the game when Makoa Medeiros ran in the ball, making the score 6-0, Kamehameha Maui.
Both teams battled it out to the half, neither one scoring again before halftime.
The Warriors defense was fierce. They kept the Sabers from scoring, though the Sabers had four downs to score from their position at the Warrior 1-foot line. And when the offense took the field on downs afterward, they worked the ball out and away from the goal line after several penalties, keeping the Sabers from scoring a safety.
During halftime, ASKSM President Christopher Kim led the student body through the final Spirit Week celebrations and the most spirited class was crowned. Click here to read our related story and see who it was!
When the Warriors returned in the third quarter, crashing through a giant banner created by the Art and Spirit Clubs with injured running back Kupono Cabanas leading the charge in his wheelchair, they were ready to finish up.
With 5:51 left in the quarter, sophomore Siaosi Ngalu picked up a blocked punt and ran it in for a touchdown followed by a successful 2-point conversion.
On the heels of back-to-back interceptions by both teams, junior Kalai Yap scored the last touchdown of the game, backed up by a clean point after kick. The game ended with the score 21-0, Warriors.
“I want to give this win to the seniors. There are senior leaders on our team that I respect so much. They will be greatly missed,” Yap said.
After the game, the team said “thank you” to the crowd, and Head Coach Kevin O’Brien was showered with an icy bath from the ice cooler.
“I feel bittersweet. We went out with a bang. I love every one of these guys, and I will never forget them,” said Nazareth Thibodeaux, senior defensive back for KSM.
The Warrior season ended with 3 wins and 5 losses.
Next year’s returning Warriors look forward to next season as they try to turn over a new leaf.
“I expect a lot of training in the off season. Personally, I’m not being quiet [any] more,” said Yap.
Miss out on our coverage of the 2011-12 Maui Warrior football season?
Click on the games below to catch up!
Warrior Football Digging in, building up
Lunas pick up win in DII battle to stay in first
KS football ‘real Warriors’ show heart against Baldwin
Jeff Clarke • Dec 3, 2011 at 11:00 pm
Yah! This is what I like to read!
Good story! This site is helping me keep tabs on what is happening in school. Keep up the good work!