Football Comes Back To Beat Damien, 28-21
by Al Linsky
This is the kind of game I love to watch. The Raiders were undefeated in Division II. The Monarchs had one loss, to the Raiders.
For the Monarchs to have any post-season hopes, they had to win this game.
For the Raiders to control their destiny, they had to win this game.
The Monarchs had the best running back in the state in Kama Bailey.
'Iolani had the hottest quarterback in the state in Kela Marciel, who has shown great effectiveness with both his passing and running.
Andrew Skalman got the game going with an interception and run to the Damien 5 yard line on the first play of the game. Justin Yamamoto ran it in from the one a few plays later.
There was no other scoring until early in the second quarter when a 97 yard drive, sparked by Marciel's running and a 46 yard pass play to Lionel Fujioka made it 14-0, Raiders.
With 2:23 left in the half, the Monarchs scored on a 1 yard dive to make it 14-6. The extra point was missed.
The Monarchs then came up with a huge play with 15 seconds left in the half as Bailey got loose for an 86 yard touchdown run. The two point conversion to Austin Dawson was successful. The momentum switched to the Monarchs as it was now all tied at 14 going into the locker room.
At 1:09 left in the third quarter, Anthony Tuitele launched a perfect pass to Austin Dawson for a 22-yard touchdown. It was now 21-14, Monarchs, and this Raider fan was feeling a bit uncomfortable.
An 8 play, well controlled drive by the Raiders, ended with a Yamamoto run to make it 21-21. Still 10:55 to go.
It was looking as if this game would go to overtime as time ran down. But, with 1:26 left in the game, Marciel ran in a 13 yard touchdown to make it 28-21. The defense held and that's the way it ended.
Super, super game for both teams!
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