Lahainaluna and No. 8 Kapaa are developing a history, and the story will grow one chapter deeper on Saturday when they meet in the Division II semifinals of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA State Football Championships.
This will be the fourth meeting between the two teams in the past three years. The Kauai Interscholastic Federation Warriors (8-0) hosted the Maui Interscholastic League champion Lunas on Aug. 15 and won 14-10.
Even though that game was nearly three months ago, one thing has held true since — both teams have terrific defenses. At the time, the four-point margin was a sign that these two teams could meet in the postseason, and that has come to pass.
"We saw them up close and personal," Lahainaluna co-head coach Garret Tihada said about the Warriors in a phone interview on Monday. "They are the total package. They have a good running game and a good quarterback and their defense is stacked all over the place. They have excellent linebackers who cover a lot of ground."
The Lunas (7-4) have lived by defense all year, too, and they showed it on their home field against visiting Kaimuki last week in the first round. Lahainaluna edged the Bulldogs 7-0, and the fact that they kept Kaimuki’s bull of a running back Billy Masima out of the end zone sends a clear message that the Lunas are ready for anyone.
"Hopefully, we can manage one or two touchdowns on offense against Kapaa and we are also going to be trying to keep our defense off the field as much as possible," Tihada said. "We’ve been pretty consistent with our defense and special teams and we’re real fortunate to be playing in this game."
La’akea Shim (nine tackles) and Nau Filiai (three tackles for loss) led the defensive charge for the Lunas against the Bulldogs.
Warriors linebackers Mosese Fifita and Mana Kupihea are two of the many playmakers on a defensive unit that has yet to give up a touchdown this year.
In the two other previous matchups in the past three years, Lahainaluna defeated Kapaa 18-16 last season on Kauai, and the Lunas prevailed 28-13 in 2013 at War Memorial Stadium on Maui.
Saturday’s game is 3 p.m. on Kauai at Vidinha Stadium in Lihue.
Konawaena (11-1) vs. Radford (11-0)
In simple terms, Oahu Interscholastic Association D-II champion Radford is the whole package, according to Konawaena first-year head coach Brad Uemoto.
He chose to give a longer description of the Rams:
"Defensively, they are great, and their front seven causes a lot of problems" Uemoto said. "They’re well-rounded as a team, and on offense they have weapons at perimeter receiver and slotback, they have a good running game, and the quarterback can break out of the pocket and throw."
Radford is one of only three undefeated teams left in the islands (Kahuku and Kapaa are the others).
Blaise Manabe does a little bit of everything (catch, run, throw) on offense for the Rams, and Ace Faumui is a rugged running back. Defensively, linemen Deyshon Slade and Dillon Sunday are among the catalysts.
The Wildcats’ Algene Kelekolio rushed for 263 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-33 first-round win over Damien last week. Uemoto said he hopes his up-tempo offense can be somewhat of an equalizer to Radford’s defensive strength.
"This is a big challenge and no doubt our kids know what they’re up against," Uemoto said about his Big Island Interscholastic Federation D-II titlists. "We always play with a chip on our shoulder because we are always the smaller team."
