JV Football: Lunas triumph against Warriors
Photo by Brianne Reformina
Luna Jesse Dudoit makes a run with Warrior Dayven Tonu trying to follow. The junior varsity Lunas triumphed over the Kamehameha Maui Warriors with a 28-6 win Friday night at Kanaʻiaupuni Stadium.
PUKALANI — The Lahainaluna High School junior varsity football team defeated the Kamehameha Schools Maui Warriors 28-6 Friday night at Kanaʻiaupuni Stadium. The Lunas were held to 14 points in the first half, and both schools had many flags for offensive fouls and illegal participation.
Warrior quarterback sophomore CJ Hamasaki earned Kamehameha’s first touchdown with a five-yard pass to freshman Zachary Genobia, but missed the field goal kick. The Lunas kept up with the Warriors with Luna Devon Sa making his way into the touchdown area, where Warriors were flagged for illegal participation as one of their players ran off the field but attempted to run back on during the play.
The Lunas continued to persevere with tackles on Warriors sophomore Teva “Kanaʻi” Pimentel and freshman Isaiah Souza, building their chance for another touchdown in the first half.
The Warriors’ sophomore Bronson Espania played a game-changing role throughout the game by keeping the Lunas’ wide receivers from clearing more than 10 yards a play. Freshman Jaxon “Ilikea” Mossman-Smith obtained possession for the Warriors with an interception during the Lunas’ play.
Luna Kalaʻi Storm managed to regain Lahaina’s lead with an interception and touchdown at the end of the first half to make the score 14-6.
Th Warriors continued to play hard with freshman Kisen-Leo Mercado and Mossman-Smith’s tackles when the Lunas were in possession of the ball. Luna Kapono Panetta took the ball 15 yards until Espania stopped the run, but Sa pushed through the defensive line to make another touchdown for Lahaina.
On another play, the Lunas’ Tekoa Sonognini took off, passing half the Warrior defensive line until Genobia and sophomore Steven Gushiken cut off his path.
The Warriors held the Lunas to 28 points but couldn’t complete their passes and lost the game 28-6. The jv Warriors (2-2) will have their next game Sept. 30 against Maui High School at War Memorial Stadium at 4:30 p.m.
