‘Iolani takes D-II title

With ‘Iolani’s Division II reign in jeopardy, Tanner Nishioka went high to snag the throw, turned upfield and saw open field to the end zone.

And the feeling of scoring a go-ahead touchdown late in a state championship game?

“It was like no other,” the ‘Iolani receiver said.

The same sentiment applies to the Raiders’ seventh Division II state football title and sixth in a row.

After winning the past two state finals by wide margins, ‘Iolani (9-3) needed a late-fourth quarter drive and an interception by J.T. Los Banos — his third of the game — in the final minute to secure a 36-33 win over Lahainaluna in the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Division II State Football Championship game Friday at Aloha Stadium.

‘Iolani quarterback Reece Foy passed for 299 yards and five touchdowns, the last score going to Nishioka with 1:53 left in the game.

After surviving the closest battle in the Raiders’ eight state final appearances, ‘Iolani head coach Wendell Look pointed to ‘Iolani’s fourth-quarter comebacks against Konawaena, Waipahu and Pac-Five early in the season as “training for this.”

“Again that’s a credit to these kids,” Look said. “They persevere, they don’t give up and all the hard work paid off. … The offense had no panic and you’ve got a guy like Reece Foy, we’ve been spoiled with him for three years.”

Foy and Nishioka, both sons of ‘Iolani, connected eight times for 134 yards and two touchdowns in their final game together.

“I’ve known him for 13 years of my life; we went to kindergarten together,” Foy said after winning his third title. “To finish off like that …"

“We had a couple throws tonight where we weren’t really on the same page. I told him,‘Keep believing and let’s just do this.’ ”

Junior slotback Chad Hanaoka caught three touchdown passes and running back Yuuya Kato ran for 103 yards in his final game.

Los Banos, a junior defensive back, also had a final to remember by coming down with three interceptions, including the decisive pick at the ‘Iolani 12 with 27 seconds left.

“It’s definitely something you dream about,” Los Banos said.

“The first and second (interceptions), I had to get over it, I knew I had to make more plays in the game. The last one, knowing that we ended the game and we would win after that … it’s the biggest play I’ve ever made in my life.”

‘Iolani’s final defensive stop ended Lahainaluna’s spirited run at its first state title. The Lunas (9-2) fell behind 15-0 early in the second quarter and trailed 29-20 late in the third.

But the Lunas rallied behind sophomore quarterback Makoa Filikitonga Lukela Jr., who passed for a touchdown and rushed for 103 yards and two scores.

He was among three Lahainaluna players to run for triple-digits, along with Jared Rocha-Islas (106) and Christian Whitehead (101).

“They are just as deserving to be state champions as we are,” Look said. “Could have gone either way.”

‘Iolani led throughout the first three quarters, but Lahainaluna repeatedly answered to stay within striking distance, and took a 33-29 lead on Kiko Kohler-Fonohema’s 2-yard touchdown run with 7:21 left in the fourth quarter.

‘Iolani began its final drive at its 44 with 4 minutes left. The Raiders drove to the Lahainaluna 19 when Foy scrambled and threw an interception to Scott-Isaac Medeiros-Tangatailoa. But Medeiros-Tangatailoa fumbled on the return and ‘Iolani tackle Kamu Borden recovered to give the Raiders a first down.

On the next play, Foy hit Nishioka on a quick post pattern for the go-ahead score.

“They were man up across the board with two safeties high,” Foy said. “I knew if the ’backer ran with the slot it would open a big hole for Tanner. Sure enough he did, I got it to Tanner, the safeties were split and Tanner hit the hole and made a beautiful touchdown.”

The Lunas put together one more push, covering 43 yards on their first two plays. But Los Banos’ third interception triggered another ‘Iolani celebration.

“It’s a big game. Sometimes things don’t go your way,” Lahainaluna co-head coach Garret Tihada said.

“We have to look ahead. We don’t have a choice. As soon as we get home to Maui, we have our banquet and we have to keep moving ahead.”