Both of Kamehameha’s true home games this season were highlighted by record-breaking passing performances.
Back on Aug. 15, Thomas Yam broke a 13-year-old school record with 323 yards in a win over Baldwin in the Warriors’ first game at Kunuiakea Field. That mark lasted 41 days before being surpassed by Justice Young’s 374 yards in Friday’s 63-21 win over ‘Iolani on homecoming/senior night on the Kapalama campus.
Young, the third quarterback to start for the Warriors this season, completed 23 of 41 attempts and threw four touchdown passes — all going to Kumoku Noa — in his first start.
The Warriors’ depth at quarterback was tested when Yam suffered a season-ending injury in a loss to Saint Louis on Sept. 12. Fatu Sua-Godinet, the starter the previous two years, moved from receiver to quarterback for last week’s game against Punahou. After a 28-17 loss to the Buffanblu, the coaching staff decided to return Sua-Godinet to receiver and give Young the start against ‘Iolani.
Young had a full week to ready himself for the assignment and responded by completing 24 of 36 attempts for 297 yards in the first half. He also ran for 31 yards on six carries, most coming on quarterback draws.
“When they told me about it I was excited,” Young said. “I just had to prepare and just be mature and know I have my brothers behind me.”
Noa was the common link in both record performances. He caught seven passes for 197 yards from Yam against Baldwin and snagged nine throws for 193 and four scores on Friday.
“Senior night, it feels great to do it for my brothers and my family,” Noa said. “And I gotta thank my coaches and the O-line and my young quarterback who just stepped up.”
As did Sua-Godinet. Back at what Kamehameha coach Doug Cosbie calls his natural position, Sua-Godinet caught 10 passes for 165 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown pass from Brett Yap, who went 3-for-3 for 67 yards in relief of Young.
Cosbie said the Warriors are “more dynamic” with the senior running routes rather than sitting in the pocket. He did take three snaps behind center on Friday and picked up eight yards on three carries.
The Warriors (4-2, 1-2) picked up their first ILH win of the season going into their rematch with Saint Louis on Thursday at Aloha Stadium. They’ll face Punahou in another Thursday game on Oct. 8.
“We still got a long way to go as far as cleaning up a lot of mistakes,” Cosbie said. “We have to watch the film, we were a little better tonight. We still just fundamentally break down at times when we shouldn’t. So we’ll go Saint Louis, Punahou, ‘Iolani one more time and see what happens.”
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