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Michael Castillo carries for El Capitan against Pearl City (HI) on Friday night.
2026 EAST COUNTY PREP FOOTBALL
AIR RAID SPOILS VAQUEROS’ ISLAND RETURN
Pearl City’s two-quarterback attack produces four TD passes in 28-21 victory
From staff and wire reports
PEARL CITY, Hawaii — El Capitan traveled across the Pacific expecting to begin a bounce-back season with a victory. Instead, Pearl City turned its two-quarterback system into four touchdown passes and handed the Vaqueros a surprising 28-21 loss Friday night at Edwin “Bino” Neves Stadium.
Pearl City scored the final two touchdowns to improve to 2-0 during its preseason schedule.
The Vaqueros, who were favored by the national computer ratings entering the game, fell to 0-1 after their first football trip to Hawaii since 2012.
Michael Castillo and Hayden Passanisi scored touchdowns for El Capitan.
Pearl City quarterbacks Brydan Gaoiran and Jayden Delos Santos divided the work almost evenly and combined to complete 17 of 26 passes for 241 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.
Gaoiran completed 10 of 16 attempts for 149 yards and two touchdowns. Delos Santos, a transfer from Campbell who was added to the Chargers’ roster shortly before the season, finished 7-for-10 for 92 yards and two scores.
The Vaqueros appeared to overcome the challenges attached to an opening-night trip across the Pacific when they built a two-touchdown advantage during the first half.
The teams reportedly went into the break tied at 14-all.
El Capitan moved back in front, 21-14, during the third quarter, but the Chargers again responded. Pearl City scored two touchdowns in the period, moving ahead 28-21 before both defenses kept the fourth quarter scoreless.
Maiaku Lii was Pearl City’s leading receiver, catching eight passes for 100 yards and a touchdown. Zayden Rodrigues added four receptions for 60 yards and a score, while Elijah Tuifua and Ryder Rabara caught the Chargers’ other touchdown passes.
The efficient passing performance allowed Pearl City to overcome an experienced El Capitan team that returned 15 starters, including 10 on offense, from last season.
Statistics and individual scoring information for El Capitan were not immediately available.
El Capitan’s 21 points represented immediate improvement from last season’s start, when the Vaqueros were shut out in each of their first two games. This time, however, the defense could not protect either of the team’s two-touchdown leads against Pearl City’s passing combination.
The loss dropped El Capitan’s all-time record in Hawaii to 1-2. The Vaqueros defeated King Kekaulike 51-35 in 2007 before losing to Kealakehe 17-6 in 2012.
Pearl City completed an undefeated two-game preseason after beating Roosevelt 31-12 one week earlier. The Chargers will open their Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II schedule Friday against Castle.
El Capitan returns to California with an early setback and one week to prepare for its home opener against Mission Bay on Friday, Aug. 28.
