Kahuku powers on

Kahuku’s historically good defense got the Red Raiders back to the top of the OIA.

Mililani’s string of 53 straight games scoring double digits ended with the Red Raiders taking advantage of three interceptions by defensive back Keala Santiago to knock off the Trojans 20-7 on Friday night at Aloha Stadium.

Kahuku (11-0), which won its first OIA title in three years, defeated Mililani (9-2) by the same score the Trojans beat Kahuku by in last year’s OIA final.

Mililani, the defending state champion, saw its 22-game winning streak against Hawaii teams also come to an end.

"Defense showed up," Kahuku coach Vavae Tata said. "That’s six (shutouts)."

Mililani entered the game averaging 56.5 points but was held without an offensive touchdown for the first time since Oct. 7, 2005.

Kahuku, which has given up 39 points in 11 games this season, held Mililani to 182 total yards and didn’t allow the Trojans to complete a pass in the second half.

The Trojans’ only score came on a fumble return for a touchdown.

"Great moments for these kids," Tata said. "It’s been a long time coming. They deserved it. They showed up."

Mililani was down to its No. 3 quarterback with senior McKenzie Milton out for the fourth straight game with a shoulder injury.

Freshman Dillon Gabriel made his third consecutive start and was knocked out of the game in the second quarter with a fractured right shoulder.

Gabriel was hit rolling to his right. He tried to switch hands and throw with his right hand when he was drilled by linebacker Hirkley Latu and immediately went down in pain.

Kahuku was flagged for an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty on the play that moved the ball to the Red Raiders 14.

Sophomore Kaysen Higa entered the game and missed an open receiver for a touchdown before getting intercepted by Keala Santiago in the end zone.

Santiago added two more interceptions in the second half and Kekoa Sasaoka hit field goals of 42 and 38 yards to give Kahuku a first-round bye in the state tournament that begins next week.

Mililani will play BIIF champion Hilo in the first round for the right to meet ILH champion Saint Louis.

"We had to play assignment football," Santiago said. "I knew it would come down to the wire and everybody stepped up."

Harmon Brown led the Red Raiders with 125 rushing yards on 29 carries. He had to do most of the work in the second half after quarterback Kesi Ah-Hoy aggravated a left ankle injury.

Backup Cameron Renaud came in and gave the Kahuku offense a look it hadn’t had in recent weeks, completing Kahuku’s first pass in two games.

Renaud was 5-for-8 for 91 yards and Kahuku outscored Mililani 13-0 in the final quarter.

"We were trying to make adjustments," Brown said. "Our original offense wasn’t working. I was excited and happy for Cameron to see him step up after our leaders fell down a little. We had to make a lot of key adjustments and guys stepped up."

The Trojans tied the game on a Brown fumble that defensive lineman Isaac Liva scooped up and returned 27 yards for a touchdown.

Gabriel was 8-for-15 for 119 yards and an interception before the injury. Receiver Kalakaua Timoteo caught three passes on the first drive and had four total for 50 yards but was held without a catch over the final three quarters.

Running back Vavae Malepeai, who passed Kahuku’s Mark Atuaia for third on the all-time rushing list, finished with 92 yards on 16 carries.

"Congratulations to Kahuku. They were the better team tonight and they deserved the championship," Mililani coach Rod York said. "We fought hard. No excuses. It’s all on me as the head coach. When you make mistakes against a team like Kahuku, they make you pay."

Kah–Harmon Brown 26 run (Kekoa Sasaoka kick)

Mil–Isaac Liva 27 fumble return (Isaiah Kuloloia kick)

Kah–FG Sasaoka 42

Kah–Brown 2 run (Sasaoka kick)

Kah–FG Sasaoka 38

RUSHING–Kahuku: Brown 29-125, Kesi Ah-Hoy 15-42, Keala Santiago 1-21, Ted Kenese 2-1, Sefa Ameperosa 3-(minus 11), Cameron Renaud 2-(minus 12).