The annual town and country showdown turned out to be more fizzle than sizzle this year. That is, unless you are a Red Raider for Life … or just a general fan of supreme excellence.

The game itself, won 31-6 by No. 1 Kahuku over No. 2 Farrington, was more overhyped than the latest and greatest telephone that can do everything except consistently give you a 5-by-5 connection for a good old-fashioned conversation. But what came through loud and clear Saturday at Aloha Stadium is that the Red Raiders are to Hawaii high school football what Alabama is to the college game.

Kahuku dominated from beginning to end. Sure, the Govs scored late, but it was against backups. And, in a sense, the North Shore even got the best of that: When the Farrington fans cheered the TD, the Kahuku faithful responded with even louder applause.

Good sportsmanship or mockery? Who really knows? That’s the fun of it.

The Red Raiders are Tiger Woods in his prime, or Larry Bird at the 3-point shooting contest. Everyone else is playing for second.

Now comes the biggest challenge for the defending state champions. They can’t buy into those notions.

No one wants to crown a champion in September, even if it looks as obvious as it does now. Especially the coaches of the most likely candidates for the hardware.

Kahuku assistant Darren Johnson has faith that this edition of his alma mater will maintain its bearings down the stretch and continue to handle everything in its path through the state tournament. Like it did last year.

"We have good leaders among the players," Johnson said. "The seniors are great leaders, and they’ve been that way all the way through Pop Warner and Big Boys."

One of those seniors is his son, Kawehena, who may be the most versatile and exciting player in the state. He’s primarily a safety, but scored touchdowns on offense and defense Saturday. He reminds everyone of his father a quarter of a century ago, an electric running quarterback and tailback.

"I’ve never seen video or anything, but the coaches all tell me he was better than me," Kawehena said. "Faster, stronger and better."

DJ doesn’t co-sign to that.

"Everyone says he’s better than I was. But I can still beat him in ping-pong."

Kahuku isn’t just Kawehena Johnson. As usual, the Red Raiders are big and skilled on the lines. They’re loaded with weapons, and if you’re fortunate enough to stop one it leaves another open. Fullback P.J. Liua was a prime example of that Saturday, the way he took over the game during a key first-half drive, helping star tailback Aofaga Wily get untracked.

The Red Raiders were as gifted as they are now in Darren’s playing days in the 1980s, but there was always a little something missing and Kahuku always faded as Thanksgiving neared, never winning a Prep Bowl.

Farrington coach Randall Okimoto agrees with the notion that the Red Raiders are more disciplined than they were in the old days, and that’s why they remain perennial contenders, if not champions and favorites.

"The difference now is the coaching is better," Johnson said. "Me? I just help out on offense."

Kind of like his son on Saturday.

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Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783.