Kealakehe Riders Hold Off Kahuku 14-6 in South Kona Nonconference Game

Kealakehe held off Kahuku 14-6 in a South Kona nonconference flag-football game played Friday during the late-February weekend, with quarterback Peyton Kahiamoe accounting for two total touchdowns and sealing the win with a short rushing score with just over two minutes remaining. Captions from game photos reference both Julian R. Yates Field and Konawaena High School as the site of the contest.

The Riders’ final scoring drive began with a timely play from Kaylee Paoa, whose catch-and-run with under four minutes to play sparked the march into Kahuku territory. Kahiamoe then rushed for a big gain to push Kealakehe deep in Kahuku territory and finished the drive by punching in the short rushing touchdown that made the margin 14-6.

Kealakehe’s offense shifted to a ball-protection posture late in the game, using quarterback sneaks and short passes to move the chains and drain the clock. Earlier in possessions the Riders still took some shots downfield, but coaches and play-calling favored a balanced approach of taking what the defense allowed and then emphasizing safe, short-yardage plays as the clock wound down.

Kealakehe’s defense contributed a momentum swing when Taina Castillo-Simmons intercepted a pass and returned the ball, a play captured in game photography. Kealakehe defenders Joy Halualani and Hailey Anne Rapoza were visible in the secondary and on pass-rush efforts, with a near-sack on Kahuku quarterback Zariah Hanohano recorded in photo action. On offense for Kahuku, Mateya Ale, wearing No. 13, was shown looking to pass while teammate Rustee Meyers, No. 1, motioned out of the backfield in another sequence from the game.

Photographs from the contest also show Kahuku’s first team huddling during a timeout, and Kahuku pass rusher Zen Kaopua being evaded on at least one play by Kahiamoe. Sapphire Alo was pictured covering Paoa as Kealakehe broke open the decisive possession. Specific box score details beyond Peyton Kahiamoe’s two touchdowns, and the identity of Kahuku’s scorer for their six points, were not included in the available game captions and recaps.

The 14-6 result concluded the South Kona nonconference bout in the BIIF spring flag-football schedule. Photos and captions from the game are credited to Conor Langs/West Hawaii Today.