Its been a few years since Aloha could boast about being sitting in first place in the Metro League. The last time they even beat an existing Metro League foe was 2000. So excuse the headline but they've earned the right to see a headline that proclaims their name up on the 'leaderboard.' The Warriors 'bust down the dam' performance at Sunset with a 48-14 win was a joy for Aloha fans to witness in so many ways its hard to define. Behind a defense that finally came to play and kept the Apollo's off the board in the second half, Coach Chris Casey had to smile at his first league win since taking over the downtrodden program in 2004. More than a convincing win, it was a 'team victory that seemed to branch into a  community win.'

On an ideal crisp and clear fall evening made for high school football, Aloha received and wasted no time getting into the end zone with a six play drive capped by senior Kyle Johnson's 16 yard run and a quick 7-0 lead with 9:39 left in the first quarter. However Sunset came out firing on all cylinders as well and they answered the bell with a 7 play 80 yard drive of their own thanks to a 46 yard gallop by quarterback Alan Bell before Ty Harper took it in from a yard out and with 5:40 left in the first quarter it was tied 7-7.

The next drive of Aloha's was a long 13 play march that included a touchdown negated by a holding call. Junior running back Jonathan Schaffer did the yeomans work before the drive stalled and the Warriors Brock Hemphill converted on a 23 yard field goal to give the visitors a 10-7 lead. Sunset came right back with a 79 yard drive that kept Aloha's defense off balance as Harper again turned a short pass from quarterback Matt Fey into a 23 yard gainer before Chris Fitch took it in from a yard out to give the Apollo's the lead back 14-10. Aloha held serve as they took all of a minute to go four plays and 81 yards to re-take the lead when Shaffer raced 50 yards with a pass down to the 17 yard line and then Cole Rise went endzone from 17 yards to get the Warriors back the lead 17-14.

With five minutes left before halftime, it looked as if Sunset had the better momentum and would trump Aloha as the Apollo's took over on their 30 yard line and proceeded to get back to back first downs from a pair of 11 yard receptions. Moving down inside the 30, Aloha's defense would finally stiffen and hold on fourth down when defensive back Jesse Bresser broke up the pass. Aloha's offense struck quickly as Johnson  made a huge play with a 51 yard reception from quarterback Nathan Fox. A personal foul put the ball inside the 10 yard line and Tanner Kraehl, #71, would bull in from the one yard line to increase the lead. Even John Madden would get excited about a #71 taking a handoff for the touchdown. The half would end with Aloha ahead 24-14.

Pretty even statisically at the half. Aloha led in first downs 11-10 and in total yards 238-187. The difference was the defensive stand on fourth down midway through the second quarter.

The second half started with Sunset receiving. They went three and out and we had the second punt of the game. Aloha received and went three and out and we had the third punt of the game. Sunset went three and out again and punted. Aloha's Shaffer was sick and tired of watching the puntfest and took the game into his hands by ripping off runs of 33 yards and 19 yards. A holding call stalled Aloha back on the 20 and Hemphill connected, this time a 37 yard field goal and it was 27-14 with 2:47 left in the third quarter. By then, Aloha's defense was starting to suck the life force from Sunset's offense who looked high centered and going nowhere fast. They three and outed again. Shaffer was 'en fuego' and this time Aloha went two plays for the score thanks to long runs by Shaffer of 27 and 24 yards to go up 34-14 and the route was on. Sunset again went three and out and punted and this time, Aloha's rangy wide-out Jon-Jon Moore hooked up with Fox for a 40 yard catch and Shaffer went in from a yard out to give the Warriors a 41-14 lead.

The final score of the evening was Aloha's promising freshman running back Thomas Tyner making an electrifying 58 yard touchdown run that capped a 99 yard drive to put on exclamation on the final score at 48-14. The Warrior defense held Sunset to a total of 23 total yards and a single first down in the second half. Meanwhile, Aloha's offense tacked on 261 more yards to go with 10 first downs. Shaffer had a great second half racking up 132 rushing yards on 11 carries.

Next week is a matchup between Jesuit and Aloha who are both undefeated and fighting for first place. It may not last but it sure is fun to write about Aloha and Jesuit sitting atop the Metro with a big battle on the line. While the Crusaders will be looked upon as favorites, there is slowly but surely a new kid on the block. Perhaps Jesuit blows the doors off the Warriors. Perhaps Casey can evoke a little Lake Placid Magic with his football team with the reasonant voice of Al Michaels uttering that time honored classic line..."Do you believe in miracles?"