In a test of wills, the Kahuku Red Raiders pulled out a 13-10 double-overtime win over the Leilehua Mules before an energized crowd of 8,659 at Aloha Stadium on Friday night.

Junior running back Aofaga Wily leaped over the goal line for a 3-yard touchdown to win it after the Mules had taken a 10-7 lead on a field goal in the second overtime.

It was an emotional victory for the Red Raiders, who were banned from postseason play last year during the Oahu Interscholastic Association playoffs.

“It’s unreal. Ever since I was 7, 8 years old, I’ve been dreaming of this,” defensive back Bronson Beatty said. “Last year got taken away. Just to be back, we’re so grateful for the opportunity.”

The semifinal win propelled Kahuku, the No. 1 seed, into next week’s Division I final of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA State Football Championships.

Kahuku (11-1) will face second-seeded Punahou, which blanked Baldwin 35-0 earlier Friday at Aloha Stadium.

Coach Reggie Torres’ squad gets a chance to win its first state title since 2006, which was his first season as head coach.

Just as it did three weeks ago in a 9-7 OIA playoff loss, Leilehua pushed Kahuku hard.

This time, Wily, who battled injury all season, rushed for 129 yards on 32 carries, and backup Mahonilai Fakatou had 110 yards on 23 attempts as the Red Raiders’ conservative approach kept Leilehua’s explosive offense sidelined much of the night. Kahuku’s defense limited Leilehua to 68 yards of total offense.

The score was tied at 7-all at the end of regulation. Then came the best action of the night in the two extra periods.

In the first OT, Kahuku drove to the 4-yard line, but on third down, quarterback Lasi Livai’s pass was intercepted by Robert Siavii in the end zone.

Leilehua (10-2-1) got its turn, and Leilehua interim head coach Mark Kurisu opted to send his normally reliable place-kicker, Tim Momiyama, on the field to win the game.

But a 5-yard penalty pushed Leilehua back and Momiyama’s 42-yard try sliced just wide right of the upright, giving Kahuku a reprieve.

In the second OT, quarterback Kenan Sadanaga led receiver Larry Paas too far on a third-and-10 play. Instead of a first down and possible touchdown, the Mules got a 37-yard field goal from Momiyama for a 10-7 lead.

Kahuku was in some trouble with a third and 7 on the ensuing possession, but Livai rifled an 11-yard completion to Kawehena Johnson to keep the drive alive.

“We just executed on a good play, Lasi threw me the ball and we got a first down,” said Johnson, who starts at safety. “I think they just forgot about me.”

Two plays later, Wily took the handoff from Livai and leaped over defensive back Brennan Jacinto. Linebacker Reece Acohido stopped Wily’s momentum, but Wily managed to fall over the goal line for the winning score.

Acohido (12 tackles) and Ryan Gomes (11 tackles) led a swarming Mules defense. Samson Zimmerman and Siavii had seven tackles each, and Penitito Melei had six tackles, including two for loss. Siavii finished with two picks.

Devailo Motuga (eight tackles) and Benneton Fonua (six) paced Kahuku. Motuga was a force, with three of his team’s four sacks.

“No matter what, next week would’ve been our last. We would’ve loved to had a chance to play Punahou,” Kurisu said. “We played hard. I’m proud of our guys.”

The first half ended in a scoreless stalemate. Leilehua started with a funky version of a power-I formation that failed to fend off Kahuku’s swarming linebackers.

But the Mules got as deep as the Kahuku 32-yard line early in the second quarter before settling on a 52-yard field-goal attempt by Momiyama. The kick was short, however, ending their best chance at scoring before intermission.

Kahuku’s best chance to score came on its third and final possession of the half. Wily carried the load as the Red Raiders marched from their 20-yard line to the Leilehua 32, but Livai’s fourth-down pass was too high for Johnson and was picked off by Siavii with 34 seconds left in the half.

at Aloha Stadium

Kahuku (10-1)    0    0    0    7    0    6    —    13
Leilehua (10-1-1)    0    0    0    7    0    3    —     10

Kah—Mahonilai Fakatou 1 run (Kekahu Aluli kick)

Lei—Mikal Peyton 7 pass from Kenan Sadanaga (Tim Momiyama kick)

Lei—Momiyama 37 FG

Kah—Aofaga Wily 3 run

RUSHING—Kahuku: Wily 32-129, Fakatou 23-110, Kawehena Johnson 1-4, Sterling Moe 1-2, Lasi Livai 2-(-7). Leilehua: Allen Racette 4-(-1), TEAM 1-(-3), Keannu Kamakaiwi 3-(-3), Sadanaga 6-(-4), Jeremiah Andrade 1-(-6).

PASSING—Kahuku: Livai 4-9-2-39. Leilehua: Sadanaga 13-26-0-85.

RECEIVING—Kahuku: Lamone Williams 2-22, Johnson 2-17. Leilehua: Peyton 6-43, Larry Paas 2-15, J. Andrade 2-10, Racette 2-(-3), Josh Jenks 1-20.