Early on, deception defined ‘Iolani’s defense of its Division II state championship.

Once the Raiders had the lead, Reece Foy made sure the title stayed put yet another year.

The Raiders sophomore quarterback’s first two touchdown passes in last night’s HHSAA Division II state final came on trick plays. His next three were the product of flawless execution as ‘Iolani rolled to a 49-14 victory over neighboring Kaimuki at Aloha Stadium.

In his first state final, Foy coolly completed 20 of 24 passes for 297 yards to help the Raiders’ seniors leave with the program’s fourth straight state championship and fifth in six years.

"This whole week, we said we wanted to play for the seniors," Foy said. "They carried us the entire year, and they carried us in this game. Without them we wouldn’t be here for sure."

The senior class certainly appreciated the effort.

"It’s a whole new feeling when you’re a senior," linebacker Cody Petro-Sakuma said as he savored a third title as a varsity player.

Last night’s championship was the fourth straight for the Foy family as well. Reece’s older brother, John, was a defensive end on the Raiders’ last three title teams, and he kept the string going by setting a record for touchdown passes in a state championship or Prep Bowl.

"He’s growing up before your eyes," ‘Iolani head coach Wendell Look said. "From Day 1 to now the way he handled the position and the pressure that comes with it, and running our offense, I think he’s done an outstanding job."

Kaimuki running back Chester Sua finished with 77 yards on 16 carries. The senior-laden ‘Iolani defense contained him for most of the night, forcing the Bulldogs to try to move the ball through the air.

"We knew he was their lead runner, their superstar," said Petro-Sakuma, who posted a team-high eight tackles. "So we just all rallied to the ball, 11 to the ball, and played ‘Iolani Raider football and got the job done."

While Foy made a sparkling state final debut, most of the Raiders were versed in not only playing under the spotlight, but preparing for it as well.

‘Iolani had three weeks off between the end of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu season and the start of the state tournament. The coaches used that time to brush up on some of the trickery that ultimately proved pivotal last night.

The Raiders came up empty on their first two possessions. Their first touchdown was set up by a reverse to Sheldon Gallarde early in the second quarter that put the ball on the 1. Running back Ammon Baldomero opened the scoring on the next play.

After Kaimuki fumbled away the ensuing pooch kick, the Raiders pulled off a flea flicker off a double reverse to extend the lead.

Foy handed off to Kasey Takahashi, who gave it to Dane Arakawa coming back to the right. Arakawa then flipped the ball back to Foy, who lofted a pass downfield to a wide-open Trevyn Tulonghari for a 34-yard touchdown.

‘Iolani’s third touchdown of the second quarter came on a hook and ladder going from Foy to receiver Josiah Sukumaran, who lateraled to Baldomero for a 22-yard score.

"We’ve been practicing them all season long, and you just want to pick the right moments to do it," Look said. "We told them they have one shot at doing it and, hey, they did it pretty well.

"We tried to keep it interesting (during the three-week break). And to keep it interesting you do these kind of things to keep their minds sharp or they’ll get kind of bored."

Kaimuki, coached by ‘Iolani graduate Clint Onigama, also went to the back pages of the playbook for its first score. Quarterback Nahoa Spencer threw a lateral to Wiseman Daniel who and found Kevin Tofiga open downfield for a 68-yard touchdown pass.

But the Bulldogs couldn’t keep pace with the ‘Iolani offense, which scored on its first four drives of the second half.

"They really worked hard and they forged thier own path to the championship," Look said. "They did it very differently from any other team, but still they came out on top."

Petro-Sakuma leads ‘D’

Huddled among his teammates with their hands held high, Cody Petro-Sakuma was the one with the trophy in his hand.

‘Iolani’s three-year starter at linebacker ended his senior year the same way as his previous two, but admitted this state championship carries a much bigger meaning.

"It’s a totally different feeling," Petro-Sakuma said. "Last year and the year before felt great because I was young, but this one hits home and is really close to my heart."

Petro-Sakuma, who finished with a game-high eight tackles, keyed an ‘Iolani defense that held Kaimuki’s star running back, Chester Sua, to 77 yards on 16 carries in a 49-14 victory.

"(Delbert’s) brought a kind of calmness to our defense," Petro-Sakuma said. "He’s really helped us to succeed this season, as you can see in tonight’s game."

Winners of four straight, and five of the past six, ‘Iolani will have to continue the streak without Petro-Sakuma, who graduates in the spring.

His message to the younger classes is simple.

"Just get it done."

Baldomero hits 100 again

‘Iolani running back Ammon Baldomero powered the Raiders’ running game in both of the past two state championships.

The senior broke into triple digits for the second straight D-II final, finishing last night’s game with 105 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns. He had 108 yards and a touchdown in last year’s win over Kauai.

Baldomero opened the scoring last night with a 1-yard plunge in the second quarter. He was later on the receiving end of a hook-and-ladder, making a one-handed snag of a pitch from receiver Josiah Sukumaran and going 22 yards for a score to give ‘Iolani a 21-0 lead.

Kaimuki lineman OK

Kaimuki defensive lineman Silivelio Kelekolio was carted from the field early in the second quarter after taking a hard shot. Kelekolio was pursuing ‘Iolani’s Sheldon Gallarde on a reverse that set up the Raiders’ first touchdown when he took the hit on a hard block.

"He’s OK," Kaimuki head coach Clint Onigama said. "He was knocked out for a little while, but he came to and was moving."