by Al Linsky
When the Raiders play St. Louis, Punahou or Kamehameha I expect to see a substantial size difference and this game was not an exception to the rule.
The first half didn't go so well. At 5:54 in the first quarter, Brandon Dumlao scored on a short run. 7-0, Warriors.
With 21 seconds left in the first quarter, Conrad Scheidt stepped in front of a Kela Marciel pass and took it in for the Warriors second touchdown. 14-0, Warriors.
In the second quarter, in a punting situation, Marciel looked like he was faking a punt (had me fooled), then he got the punt off which rolled all the way to the 1 yard line. Great play! But, the Warriors mounted a 99 yard drive to make it 21-0 at the half.
As the second half started, the Warriors started committing penalties, and the Raiders raised their level of play. Lionel Fujioka scored on a 9 yard pass, 21-7.
Then, with 57 seconds left in the third, Marciel again found Fujioka, this time for 28 yards and another touchdown, 21-14.
At this point I really felt the Raiders had a good chance, but the Raiders started to really feel the effects of playing against a bigger team. It showed with mounting injuries and a lessening of sharpness, probably due to just getting tired after grappling with the bigger Warriors for the first three quarters.
The Warriors scored two touchdown, one rushing and one passing, to extend the lead to an insurmountable 35-14 with only 2:22 left.
The Raiders did not give up, though, and Marciel made a nice run to close the margin to 35-21.
The Raiders fall to 3-3 but have clinched a Division II tournament since Punahou defeated Damien on Saturday.
To see photos, please visit iolani-events.org.
