Kauai did more than simply end ‘Iolani’s run of six straight Division II state championships.

The KIF champion manhandled the 10-time defending ILH champ in a 28-7 victory on Saturday afternoon at Kozuki Stadium to advance to the title game of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Football State Championships.

The Red Raiders (10-0) will play in their third Division II state final next Saturday against Kaiser at Aloha Stadium. Kauai has lost each of its past two appearances, in 2006 against King Kekaulike and 2009 to ‘Iolani.

"It’s just a huge win for these guys and Kauai in general," said first-year Red Raiders coach Tommy John Cox. "We finally got one (against ‘Iolani)."

Kauai had lost its past three games against ‘Iolani in the state tournament before breaking through on Saturday.

The Red Raiders never trailed and scored a touchdown in every quarter, dominating both lines of scrimmage.

Kauai ran the ball on 59 of its 65 offensive plays for 334 yards. Reggie McFadden led the way with 135 yards on 29 carries and quarterback Kelson Andrade added 79 rushing yards on 12 carries.

"We were super confident and didn’t let any of the talk that were making us underdogs get to us," McFadden said. "The game plan was running the ball and we did good."

Kauai made it look easy against the Raiders (7-5), who had won 12 straight games in the state tournament.

‘Iolani quarterback Austin Jim On was 27-for-39 for 189 yards, but the Raiders were held to negative-29 rushing yards and only 160 total yards of offense.

Running back Jordan Ross and receiver Keoni-Kordell Makekau were both injured during the game. Ross was hit after a 4-yard reception on his only touch and left the game in the first quarter. Makekau was hurt on a reception in the second quarter and returned to the field only to kick an extra point on ‘Iolani’s fourth-quarter touchdown.

‘Iolani turned the ball over on its first four possessions with three fumbles and an interception.

"(Kauai) deserved to win. They won the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and just dominated us," ‘Iolani coach Wendell Look said.

Some of the Kauai players were emotional after the game, holding back tears as they took turns shaking each of their teammates’ hands.

‘Iolani had the ball first-and-goal on the Kauai 6-yard line with less than six minutes remaining. Jim On threw three straight incomplete passes and was sacked on fourth down by Kelii Kelekoma.

At that point, the Red Raiders knew they had done it.

"I don’t really know (what happened), but I found myself on (Jim On)," an emotional Kelekoma said about the sack. "Then we kind of realized we were going to win."

Kauai ran 15 more plays than ‘Iolani and dominated the time of possession behind an offensive line anchored by 6-foot-5, 320-pound center Devan Ferreira.

Kauai opened the game with a 15-play, 69-yard drive that ended with a missed field goal.

‘Iolani failed to capitalize and punter Jordan Genovia fumbled the punt snap after a three-and-out.

Jim On and running back Tamatane Aga fumbled on the next two ‘Iolani possessions, and Jim On was intercepted on a ball that deflected off a receiver’s hands into the arms of Pono Bukoski late in the first half.

‘Iolani got the ball to start the second half, but Jim On threw an incomplete pass on fourth-and-9 from the Kauai 35. The Red Raiders took over and ran the ball 12 straight times, with McFadden plowing in from a yard out to make it 21-0.

"We tried to run the ball and eat up the clock and keep their powerful offense off the field," Cox said. "All year we have run the ball pretty well and we thought we could do it again today, so we stepped it up."

A first-time Division II state champion is guaranteed for the first time since 2006. ‘Iolani has won seven of the 10 titles, with King Kekaulike, Campbell and Aiea winning the other three.

A team from Kauai has never won a state championship in football.

Kauau—Kyren Rapacon 3 run (Pono Bukoski kick)
Kauai—Kanoa Iwasaki 6 run (Bukoski kick)
Kauai—Reggie McFadden 1 run (Bukoski kick)
Iol—Chase Kanekuni 8 pass from Austin Jim On (Keoni-Kordell Makekau kick)
Kauai—Iwasaki 31 run (Bukoski kick)
 
RUSHING—Kauai: McFadden 29-135, Kelson Andrade 12-79, Rapacon 14-67, Iwasaki 3-39, Bukoski 1-14. ‘Iolani: Tamatane Aga 5-12, Jordan Genovia 1-(minus 15), Jim On 6-(minus 26).
PASSING—Kauai: Andrade 4-6-0—35. ‘Iolani: Jim On 27-39-1—189.
RECEIVING—Kauai: Bukoski 2-25, Iwasaki 2-10. ‘Iolani: Chad Hanaoka 8-58, Kanekuni 8-49, Connor Ohira 5-41, Makekau 3-31, Tyler Teruya 2-6, Ross 1-4.