Motivated by the possibilities ahead — and an opportunity they were denied — the Kahuku Red Raiders survived a defensive battle to earn a shot at a league football title and a state tournament berth.

The Kahuku defense came up with four takeaways and stopped a last-ditch drive to preserve a 9-7 win over Leilehua in the semifinals of the OIA Red playoffs Friday at Aloha Stadium.

With the win, the second-ranked Red Raiders (9-1) advanced to next week’s OIA Red championship game and secured a spot in the upcoming Division I state tournament.

"That means we have more time together as a team," Kahuku head coach Reggie Torres said.

It was the day before last year’s league title game when the OIA disqualified the Red Raiders for using an ineligible player. The abrupt end was on the returnees’ minds as they prepared for Friday’s semifinal.

"It means a lot to us," said senior defensive back Evan Ramirez, who intercepted two passes in the fourth quarter to help deny Leilehua’s comeback. "After what happened to our seniors last year, we told them we’d dedicate this year to them."

No. 3 Leilehua’s state tournament hopes now hinge on next week’s third-place game for the OIA’s final berth after suffering its first loss of the season.

"As long as we play, that’s all that matters," Leilehua interim head coach Mark Kurisu said.

The Kahuku offense leaned heavily on a ground attack powered by running back Aofaga Wily, who ran for 225 yards on 30 carries.

"I had some injures from before, but my mind-set was just to fight through it," Wily said. "Just run hard and believe in my O-linemen."

The Kahuku defense stopped Leilehua on fourth down at the Red Raiders’ 2 in the first quarter and forced a fumble with 27 seconds left in the second to set up the lone score of the first half.

The Red Raiders took over at their 39 and moved to the Leilehua 37 with time for one more snap. Receiver Mikeli Fiso then pulled down a pass from Viliami Livai despite double coverage in the end zone with no time left.

Kekahu Aluli’s 38-yard field goal to cap Kahuku’s opening drive of the third quarter would be the Red Raiders’ final points of the game.

Torres credited defensive coordinator Kimo Haiola with devising a scheme to contain Leilehua’s fast-break passing attack.

Leilehua quarterback Kenan Sadanaga passed for 223 yards, with receiver Jeremiah Andrade catching 10 passes for 104 yards.

Sadanaga also caught a pass from Andrade to extend the Mules’ scoring drive, which ended with a 1-yard pass to Russell Siavii with 2:43 left in the third quarter.

But the Mules’ receivers didn’t have much room to run for much of the night and Ramirez ended Leilehua’s next two possessions with interceptions.

"Our strategy was to put the pressure on the quarterback, and the D-linemen did that tonight," Ramirez said.

The Leilehua defense did its part to keep the Mules kicking, twice stopping the Red Raiders deep in Leilehua territory to give the offense another chance.

Leilehua converted on fourth and 5 from its 13 to extend its final drive, and moved to the Kahuku 43. But after three incompletions, Kahuku linebacker Johnny Tapusoa broke up a pass intended for Andrade over the middle on fourth down with 1:31 left.

"The defense did a great job. Hat’s off to Leilehua, they did a great job," Torres said. "This is the playoffs, it’s down to defense right now."