Football: Lunas finish perfect round with win over Warriors

The+Lahainaluna+Lunas+defeat+the+Warriors+39-19+at+Kana%CA%BBiaupuni+Stadium+Sept.+15.+Sanchez+cradles+the+ball+while+running+through+Lunas+defensive+linemen.

Photo by Brianne Reformina

The Lahainaluna Lunas defeat the Warriors 39-19 at Kanaʻiaupuni Stadium Sept. 15. Sanchez cradles the ball while running through Lunas’ defensive linemen.

The Lahainaluna High School varsity football team defeated the Kamehameha Schools Maui Warriors Friday night 39-19 at Kanaʻiaupuni Stadium. It was the Warriors’ homecoming game and the last game to finish off the first Maui Interscholastic League round of football.

Warriors’ quarterback senior Kainoa Sanchez earned a touchdown in the first quarter with a pass to senior Tyerell Baldonado-Kaleiopu. Senior Nathan Facuri also took the ball nearly 50 yards to score another touchdown in the third quarter, and the last touchdown came in the fourth quarter on a short pass to Facuri.

The Lunas’ Joshua Tihada and Pablo Rico surpassed the Warriors by scoring three touchdowns in the first half of the game. Luna Etuati Storer assisted in most of the Luna touchdowns with additional plays that earned them yard advantage. At halftime, the score was 25-7.

Lunas' Joshua Tihada runs next to Kahiau Yap.
Lunas’ Joshua Tihada runs next to Kahiau Yap.

The Warrior defensive line struggled with the Luna offense in the first half, but held them to no scores in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Lahaina started to make inroads up the middle, and they scored twice more. They ended the first round of the MIL in first place in Division 2, undefeated in four games.

Baldonado-Kaleiopu drags Lunas player down the sideline.
Baldonado-Kaleiopu drags Lunas player down the sideline.

The Warriors (2-2) will start the second round of the season with a game on Sept. 30 against Maui High School at 7 p.m. at War Memorial Stadium.