Division I
1. TAKING IT AWAY
>> Situation: Kahuku 0, Punahou 0, 2:47 remaining, first quarter, Punahou ball, first and 10 at Kahuku 21
>> The Play: Punahou RB Ryan Tuiasoa breaks into the red zone for a split second before he’s drilled by DB Jayven Mohetau, causing a fumble that is recovered by Lamone Williams.
>> Impact: Punahou had the upper hand in field position early, but turned the ball over twice in the first quarter and failed to take advantage while Kahuku’s offense sputtered.
>> Punahou quarterback Larry Tuileta: “The whole season (Kahuku has) been blitzing a lot because they are good at it. They are just really good.”
2. HOOK AND LADDER
>> Situation: Kahuku 14, Punahou 0, 16 seconds remaining, second quarter, Kahuku ball, first and 10 on its own 36
>> The Play: QB Lasi Livai throws an 11-yard pass to Will Cravens at the 47. As he’s tackled by a host of Punahou defenders, he flips the ball back to a sprinting Kawehena Johnson, who goes untouched down the sideline for 53 yards for the score.
>> Impact: Kahuku took all of the momentum into the break with a trick play that gives the Red Raiders a three-TD lead.
>> Kahuku coach Reggie Torres: “It’s all about finding the right time (to call trick plays), and our offensive coordinator has been finding the right time to do it.”
3. PUNAHOU MAKES A STAND
>> Situation: Kahuku 21, Punahou 7, 3:52 remaining, third quarter, Kahuku ball, fourth and 1 at its own 40
>> The Play: Kahuku runs RB Aofaga Wily behind the left side of the offensive line, but Punahou LB Isaac Savaiinaea stuffs him for no gain, turning the ball over on downs.
>> Impact: The stop allowed the Punahou offense to work with a short field and turn it into a touchdown.
>> Savaiinaea: “We came out on fire in the second half. We knew we had to step it up.”
4. RECORD BREAKER
>> Situation: Kahuku 21, Punahou 14, 9:52 remaining, fourth quarter, Kahuku ball third and 2 at the Punahou 38
>> The Play: Wily busts through a hole created by the left side of his offensive line and runs 38 yards for a touchdown.
>> Impact: Wily set a Kahuku record in career rushing on the run that put the Red Raiders back up by two touchdowns. He broke Mark Atuaia’s career record of 4,146 yards that stood for 22 years. Wily finished his career with 4,205 yards.
>> Wily: “Its the motivation to get to the top. Bringing (the title) home to our family and friends out here … we just love it.”
5. THE DAGGER
>> Situation: Kahuku 28, Punahou 14, 9:40 remaining, fourth quarter, Kahuku kicking off
>> The Play: Keanu Chee returns the kickoff, but is met at the 15-yard line by Soli Afalava, who forces a fumble that was returned 6 yards for a touchdown by Cravens.
>> Impact: Punahou had crawled back to within a score after trailing 21-0 at halftime before Kahuku scored 14 points in 12 seconds.
>> Punahou coach Kale Ane: “We had some momentum, but we made too many mistakes and they capitalized on them. That’s why they are champs.”
DIVISION II
1. LAST-MINUTE ANSWER
>> Situation: ‘Iolani 15, Lahainaluna 14, 16 seconds remaining, second quarter, ‘Iolani ball, second and three at Lahainaluna 47
>> The Play: QB Reece Foy is flushed out of the pocket, avoiding a sack before finding RB Yuuya Kato all alone down the sideline for a 46-yard gain to put the ball on the Lahainaluna 1-yard line.
>> Impact: The play sets up a 2-yard TD pass from Foy to Chad Hanaoka with three seconds remaining in the first half.
>> ‘Iolani coach Wendell Look on Foy: “We’ve been spoiled with him for three years.”
2. OPEN-FIELD TACKLE
>> Situation: Lahainaluna 33, ‘Iolani 29, 4:40 remaining, fourth quarter, Lahainaluna ball, third and 5 at Lahainaluna 16
>> The Play: QB Makoa Filikitonga Lukela Jr. keeps the ball and tries to dive off tackle to the right. ‘Iolani DE Esau Sele makes a 1-on-1 tackle a yard shy of the first-down marker to force a punt.
>> Impact: Filikitonga Lukela Jr. was one of three Lunas to run for more than 100 yards, but couldn’t break one more tackle to give his team a new set of downs.
>> Sele: “Everybody filled their gaps and I was just doing my job. I was in the perfect position to make the play.”
3. GIMME THAT BALL
>> Situation: Lahainaluna 33, ‘Iolani 29, 1:59 remaining, fourth quarter, ‘Iolani ball, second and 6 at Lahainaluna 19
>> The Play: Foy scrambles out of the pocket and throws the ball downfield to avoid a sack. The Lunas’ Scott-Isaac Medeiros-Tangatailoa briefly catches the ball before dropping it. ‘Iolani OL Kamu Borden falls on it to reclaim possession.
>> Impact: The play is ruled an interception and a fumble recovered by ‘Iolani. Instead of losing possession or facing third down, the Raiders get a first down out of it.
>> Borden: “Once I saw the ball on the ground I went for it. I was like, ‘I better not let anyone take the ball from me.’ ”
4. THE GAME-WINNER
>> Situation: Lahainaluna 33, ‘Iolani 29, 1:53 remaining, fourth quarter, ‘Iolani ball, first and 10 at Lahainaluna 26
>> The Play: Foy hits Tanner Nishioka on a quick post on the left side of the field for the go-ahead 26-yard touchdown.
>> Impact: ‘Iolani takes advantage of Borden’s recovery on the previous play and converts.
>> Nishioka: “Reece put it there and it worked out well. … It’s our bread and butter.”
5. THRICE IS NICE
>> Situation: ‘Iolani 36, Lahainaluna 33, 27 seconds remaining, fourth quarter, Lahainaluna ball, first and 10 at ‘Iolani 34
>> The Play: DB J.T. Los Banos intercepts Filikitonga Lukela Jr. for the third time in the game.
>> Impact: The interception ends Lahainaluna’s final drive.
>> Los Banos: “He threw the ball a little out in front and a little low and I was able to make a break on it.”
