WAILUKU » The big question coming into the game was whether Lahainaluna could contain Chester Sua. For one half, the Lunas did. Sort of.

After being limited to "just" 45 yards in the first half, Kaimuki’s star rusher put on a dazzling display after intermission, finishing with 229 yards and three scores on 33 carries.

The 6-foot 208-pounder capped another productive evening by scoring the decisive TD from 3 yards out in overtime, lifting Kaimuki to a 28-27 victory and a berth in next Friday’s state Divison II title game.

As things turned out, the Bulldogs secured the victory on Keoki Kaiahua’s extra point.

The Lunas had a shot at winning or tying the game after Jostin Carbajal bolted 20 yards straight up the middle on the first play of his team’s possession in OT.

Lahainaluna’s plan to go for the win with a 2-point try was thwarted when three players moved before the snap, forcing the Lunas to instead settle for a potential tying extra point.

But the kick by Tytus Lucas, taken from 25 yards out because of the illegal procedure penalty, sailed barely wide of the left upright and the Bulldogs improved their record to 12-1. The Lunas closed out their ledger at 7-3.

Lahainaluna jumped out to a 6-0 lead that was set up by John Mishima’s interception. The 44-yard scoring drive was capped by T.J. Rickard’s quarterback sneak on fourth and 1 with 1:36 left in the first quarter. The point-after attempt sailed wide left.

A rugby-style punt by Lucas was blocked and returned by Brandon Kekoa to the Lunas’ 2. Sua scored two plays later and Kaiahua’s conversion was blocked but barely cleared the crossbar for a 7-6 lead with 9:19 left in the third quarter.

The Lunas regained the lead as Carbajal broke four tackles on a 33-yard run and a 2-point conversion catch by Lucas on a halfback pass from Vyno Omiat less than 2 minutes later for a 14-7 lead.

Kaimuki tied the game on the first play of the fourth quarter as Sua scored from 2 yards and Kaiahua’s kick was good.

Lucas made a clutch catch inside the 1 on third and 14 and Carbajal powered his way into the end zone on the next play. Lucas’ kick was on target and Lahainaluna led 21-14 with 7:17 left.

Back came the Bulldogs. They gained control of the ball with 1:59 remaining and went on an 11-play, 74-yard drive capped by Nahoa Spencer’s sneak from inside the 1 with 15 seconds left.

That set the stage for more dramatics by Sua in overtime, as he accounted for all 20 yards on four straight carries.