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Orem cornerback Javoni Halalilo returned an interception 64 yards for a touchdown as Utah powerhouse Orem stifled Kamehameha 16-7 on a blustery Friday night at Kunuiakea Stadium.
His big play opened the scoring in the first quarter. In a defensive battle, the 6-foot-2 Halalilo credited preparation in the film room.
“That’s all we’ve been doing. Every day, watching the film, watching same play over and over. I read it and I went with it. Maybe he underestimated us a little bit,” said Halalilo, who also had a pick-6 last year. “In week five. I feel good. I’m grateful. We lift this to the Lord.”
The visiting Tigers are ranked No. 5 overall in Utah (MaxPreps) and No. 1 in 5A. Kamehameha is No. 3 in the Star-Advertiser Top 10.
The Warriors’ game plan of tough defense and a ground-and-pound offense made sense. Orem’s offense did not score a TD until the final quarter, but Kamehameha had two crucial turnovers that led to 10 Orem points.
Warriors running back Maddox Sharrer was still explosive in the late going. He finished with 75 hard-earned rushing yards on 25 carries. The Warriors tallied 218 yards of total offense against a gritty Orem defense.
Orem running back Beckam Curtis finished with 67 rushing yards on 21 carries. Quarterback Rock Speredon struggled in the first half, but finished strong in Orem’s RPO attack with 163 passing yards (11-for-18) with one TD pass.
Kamehameha’s defense did all it could, coming up with four sacks. Two were by Esaiah Wong, while Evan Cazimero and two-way hustler Frank Abreu came up with one each.
With Tropical Storm Lala beginning to make its presence felt with gusts of 20-25 mph, Kamehameha kept it simple on the opening series with four gives to Sharrer.
After five carries to the right or middle for 34 yards, Sharrer ran left for 7 yards to start the second series. Kamehameha converted a first down in Orem territory when cornerback Halalilo jumped a sideline pass and returned the ball 64 yards for a pick-6. Orem led 7-0 with 3:32 left in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Kamehameha’s fortunes turned on a deep ball from Loea Keopuhiwa that was underthrown. Loea Asuega- Stark backtracked to the ball near the left sideline, eluded a defender and was ruled down at the Orem 6-yard line.
On third and goal, Sharrer took the direct snap and scored on a 4-yard TD to tie the game at 7 with 10 seconds left in the first half.
In the third quarter, Fujimoto’s 45-yard field goal try from the left hashmark was wide left and short.
Another Kamehameha turnover opened a door of opportunity for Orem. Jaylen Braun fumbled after a reception, and Orem’s Aoi Faumui recovered at the Kamehameha 21-yard line. That led to a 31-yard field goal by Adrian Sanchez for a 10-7 Tigers lead with 2:31 to go in the third stanza.
Early in the final quarter, Orem drove into Kamehameha territory. Speredon spun out of a potential sack and hoisted a high, wobbly lob that sailed over his initial target, but Ross dove for the ball and made a 21-yard TD grab on perhaps the flukiest play of the night.
After a botched PAT attempt, Orem led 16-7 with 9:37 remaining.
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