Just when everything seemed well in hand, Kailua fumbled away the game last night against visiting McKinley.

The Surfrider defense had just withstood a fourth-down pass attempt by the Tigers with 2:29 to play. Kailua took possession at its 22-yard line, leading 10-7.

All the Surfriders needed to do was run out the clock, but they bobbled a pitch attempt on first down, and the Tigers' James Ubias fell on the ball at the 15.

On the next play, Haloti Leakona ran through the Kailua defense for the go-ahead score. The ensuing PAT made the final score: McKinley 14, Kailua 10.

"We never lost hope," said McKinley coach William Moeava. "Our 'D' played a hell of a game. I'm just thankful they stepped up when it mattered."

Kailua was unable to capitalize on its final drive, and the Tigers celebrated their unexpected turnaround as time expired.

"We made a statement!" players yelled as they left the field.

The outcome overshadowed an impressive performance by Kailua senior running back Jacob Gibson, who amassed 205 yards on 20 carries.

In the first quarter, he shredded the Tiger defense with a 30-yard score.

But it wasn't enough, thanks to stalwart defensive plays by the Tigers.

McKinley junior defensive back Joshua Ward, who intercepted two passes and returned the ball 50 and 56 yards on the plays, was also impressive. Neither interception set up a score, but they helped nullify the field position the Surfriders were gaining thanks to Gibson.

"(Ward) is like our quarterback on defense," Moeava said.

MCKINLEY (1-0, 1-1) 7 0 0 7—14

KAILUA (0-1, 0-2) 7 3 0 0—10

KAI—Jacob Gibson 30 run (Timothy Maghinay kick)

MCK—Juliano Ahlstrand 55 pass from Tilton Kaluna (Thomas Pae kick)

KAI—FG Maghinay 20

MCK—Haloti Leakona 15 run (Pae kick)

RUSHING—McKinley: Haloti Leakona 12-61, Tilton Kaluna 3-0, Rocky Miyagi 1-(minus 2), Austin Yoon 3-(minus 23). Kailua: Kenny Gibson 7-7, Jacob Gibson 20-205, Travis Holeso-Wolfe 6-11, Keelan Gonda 2-24, Matua Tuaolo 5-(minus 28)

PASSING—McKinley: Kaluna 5-13-1—99, Austin Yoon 5-14-0—33. Kailua: Kenny Gibson 5-9-2—47, Matua Tuaolo 1-6-0—12.

RECEIVING—McKinley: Kekoa Ka'aiakamanu 2-6, Joshua Nakama 2-15, Ahlstrand 3-69, Earvin Sione 1-25, Joshua Ward 1-16, Alan Hashimoto 1-1. Kailua: Zachary Akamine 2-18, Gerald Ho 2-21, Shaun Forges 1-8, Holeso-Wolfe 1-12.

JV score—McKinley 20, Kailua 10