With one thunderous hit, Kawehena Johnson set the tone for a night dominated by the state’s No. 1 team.
Kahuku’s defensive leader forced a fumble on Farrington’s first play from scrimmage and it only got worse from there for the Governors in a 31-6 loss on Saturday at Aloha Stadium.
The game of the year in the OIA Red East turned into a blowout in the fourth quarter as Kahuku scored 31 points before a Farrington touchdown in garbage time against the Red Raiders’ reserves.
By then, Johnson’s unreal night had come to an end after nine tackles, two touchdowns, an interception and a forced fumble.
“He’s just a playmaker,” Kahuku coach Reggie Torres said. “With him in the back there, it gives us so much confidence where we can send guys, blitz more people knowing that he’s back there, because he’s a great tackler as well as a great cover guy.”
Johnson, whose only current Division I offer is from New Mexico State, single-handedly set the tone with a crushing hit on Farrington running back Abraham Silva, knocking the ball loose on the Govs’ first play from scrimmage.
Farrington’s second possession ended even worse when Johnson stepped in front of quarterback Montana Liana’s first pass attempt and returned an interception 6 yards for the opening score.
“It’s all about (the) film,” said Johnson, who seemed to know exactly what play was coming. “Coaches put us in the right place. (We’ve) got to make plays.”
Kahuku (5-0, 6-0) did that and then some in posting its biggest margin of victory over Farrington (4-1, 6-1) since a 38-0 win in 2006.
The Govs’ running back tandem of Silva and Tyler Taumua, who have combined for seven 100-yard rushing games already this season, had nowhere to go against Kahuku’s tricky 3-3-5 defensive scheme.
Kahuku’s defensive starters exited in the fourth quarter after holding Farrington to 60 total yards and just three first downs up to the final 5 minutes.
Farrington’s first 10 drives ended with five punts and four turnovers and once on downs.
“Our whole defense can play anywhere basically,” Johnson said. “Our linebackers can play DB if they want to, that’s how good our defense is. Anybody can play anywhere and we mix and match things.”
Nobody enjoys the benefits of playing that style more than the 5-foot-8 Johnson, who was all over the field.
Whether filling holes to blow up the run game or tracking down receivers on play-action passes, Johnson had an answer for everything Farrington threw at him.
Even Farrington’s defense had trouble stopping the multi-dimensional talent as Johnson hauled in a 16-yard touchdown pass untouched on a slant to put Kahuku up by a 31-point margin.
“He’s a weapon that we’re blessed to have,” Torres said. “He’s all-around.”
With only one major college offer, Johnson is there for the taking. But for now, he’s just one out of 11 on a defense that has Red Raider nation thinking repeat of last year’s state title.
“I’m surrounded by 10 other guys who can flat out play football,” Johnson said. “It’s amazing.”
At Aloha Stadium
Farrington (6-0, 4-0) 14 3 0 14 — 31
Kahuku (5-0, 4-0) 0 0 0 6 — 6
Kah—Kawehena Johnson 7 interception return (Jake Samsel kick)
Kah—P.J. Liua 11 run (Samsel kick)
Kah—FG Samsel 37
Kah—Johnson 16 pass from Viliami Livai (Samsel kick)
Kah—Liua 33 run (Samsel kick)
Farr—Francis Evangelia 84 pass from Montana Liana (run failed)
RUSHING—Farrington: Tyler Taumua 12-49, Abraham Silva 7-19, T.J. Utai 3-12, Montana Liana 4-(-10). Kahuku: Liua 8-96, Aofaga Wily 21-61, Simeon Vierra 1-7, Soli Afalava 2-5, Jameson Fafard-Keuma 1-4, Pupi Siilata 2-2, Quayd Ah You 1-0, Kaimi Hurlbut 1-(-1), Livai 3-(-1).
PASSING—Farrington: Liana 7-14-2-110. Kahuku: Livai 10-16-1-123.
RECEIVING—Farrington: Tyler Liana 5-15, Evangelia 1-84, James Hashimoto 1-11. Kahuku: Wily 3-23, Liua 2-34, Johnson 2-34, McKay Lewis 2-22, Tuli Matagi-Wily 1-10.
Junior varsity—Kahuku 20, Farrington 7
OIA RED WEST
Castle 26, Kaimuki 16
Kela Shea threw for 249 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Knights past the Bulldogs.
Castle’s Don Kaio had 11 carries for 58 yards and TD runs of 3 and 4 yards, both in the second half.
At Roosevelt
KAIMUKI (0-6, 0-8) 7 3 6 0 — 16
CASTLE (1-4, 1-6) 7 7 6 6 — 26
Cast—Anu Ukauka 7 pass from Kela Shea (Kyle Urasaki kick)
Kaim—Randon Tuitama 10 run (Dathan Lloyd kick)
Kaim—FG Lloyd 37
Cast—Makana Bee 13 pass from Shea (Pono Makekau kick)
Kaim—Kainalu Spencer 1 run (kick failed)
Cast—Don Kaio 3 run (kick failed)
Cast—Kaio 4 run (kick failed)
RUSHING—Kaimuki: Tuitama 17-94, Sione Moala 4-4, Chansen Exzabe 2-0, Spencer 7-(-24). Castle: Kaio 11-58, Shea 6-27, Bee 2-2, Sonny Oana 1-1, Ikaika Kekoanui 1-(-5).
PASSING—Kaimuki: Spencer 11-24-1-121. Castle: Shea 21-44-1-249.
RECEIVING—Kaimuki: Fano Tuisilia 3-48, Sio Kelekolio 3-35, Jorge Rios 2-16, Jonah Lapitan 1-15, Tuitama 1-7, Tai Boyd 1-0. Castle: Cullen Shiroma-Fernandez 6-106, Avery Carvalho 4-52, Jesse Medeiros 4-37, Ukauka 4-31, Bee 2-23, Oana 1-0.
Friday’s Late result
No. 7 Leilehua 27, Waipahu 26, OT
At Leilehua
Waipahu (2-5, 2-3) 0 14 0 6 6 — 26
Leilehua (5-2, 3-2) 3 7 0 10 7 — 27
Lei—FG Beti Alex 23
Waip—Dylan Pakau 7 pass from Kai Mercado-Aiona (Jayson Gonsalves kick)
Waip—Isaiah Alama 62 run (Gonsalves kick)
Lei—Tristin Kamaka 12 pass from Levi Castanares (Alex kick)
Waip—Kaimi Paredes 10 run (kick failed)
Lei—Shai Pulawa 3 pass from Justin Jenks (Alex kick)
Lei—FG Alex 20
Lei—Ikaika Piceno 6 run (Alex kick)
Waip—Paredes 1 run (run failed)
RUSHING—Waipahu: Alama 8-81, Matapua Tulafale 4-31, Paredes 15-28, Mercado-Aiona 9-20, Wesley Nagaseu 4-10, Terrance Lauti 1-2. Leilehua: Justin Jenks 7-54, Ikaika Piceno 12-25, Castanares 3-17, Josh Jenks 1-9, Mackenzie Crowley 3-7, Keannu Kamakaiwi 1-3, Keanu Kahele Ferreira 1-(-2), Keoni Piceno 2-(-2).
PASSING— Waipahu: Mercado-Aiona 6-12-0—81, Paredes 4-8-0—47. Leilehua: Justin Jenks 24-38-0—159, Castanares 9-11-0—51, Kristian Wong-Ventura 1-1-0—40.
RECEIVING—Waipahu: Pakau 7-110, James Nunuha 1-13, Tulafale 2-5. Leilehua: Keoni Piceno 11-102, Ikaika Piceno 6-23, Nick Rodriguez 5-34, Conrad Supnet 3-24, Pulawa 2-15, Kristian Wong-Ventura 2-12, Josh Jenks 2-6, Bret Harrington 1-16, Tristin Kamaka 1-12, Andrew Sesepasara 1-6.
