The opportunity was there for a riled-up Farrington community.

But the only opportunity seized was by top-ranked Kahuku. Kawehena Johnson scored touchdowns on offense and defense, and Polikapu "P.J." Liua had the game of his life as the Red Raiders overwhelmed No. 2 Farrington 31-6 on Saturday night at Aloha Stadium.

Kahuku improved to 5-0 in OIA Red East play (7-0 overall), clinching first place. That is no guarantee of home-field advantage, but normally, the league rewards higher-seeded playoff qualifiers with that status.

Johnson, a key part of last year’s state-championship squad, continued his play-making role. He picked off an early pass and returned it for Kahuku’s first touchdown and later pulled in a touchdown pass from quarterback Viliami Livai. He also forced a fumble that led to a touchdown.

"We watched film every day, learning our keys. It’s all about film. Coaches put us in the right place. We tried to give Farrington a new look, I guess," Johnson said. "But this is just one game. It’s not the championship."

Liua was prominent in Kahuku’s offense, which had some struggles early against a tough Farrington defense. He finished with 96 yards on just eight carries, including touchdown runs of 11 and 33 yards from his fullback position. It was his best rushing total since a breakout performance against McKinley three weeks ago (116 yards, two touchdowns).

"Usually I block, but it was kind of good to run the ball a little bit. Coach told me in the game when we changed up the running scheme," the 5-foot-9, 222-pound fullback said. "I knew the hole was going to be there. I trust my O-line. I just sprinted and I hoped I got there."

Coach Reggie Torres didn’t wait too long to adjust the game plan on a night when normally prolific running back Aofaga Wily had to battle for 61 hard-earned yards on 21 attempts.

"I feel pretty good, but we’ve got Moanalua coming up and some work to do before the playoffs. After next week, record doesn’t mean anything," Torres said. "Our defense did a great job. Our offense was struggling. Hats off to Farrington."

The Red Raiders changed things up offensively as the game unfolded, with passes to their fullback (Liua) and tight end.

"We want to show just enough," Torres said. "(Liua) has great hands. He’s a good blocker, too."

Farrington lost for the first time this season after four league wins (5-1 overall). A massive, charged-up flock of fans — still percolating from Friday night’s pep rally — went virtually silent by the second quarter.

"We started off bad with penalties and turnovers and it steamrolled from there," Govs coach Randall Okimoto said. "I was impressed with Kahuku’s defense. They have quickness up front, going for the legs, but that’s legal. They capitalized on our mistakes."

Farrington managed just 70 rushing yards on 26 carries against a Kahuku defense led by linebackers Matai Paselio (two sacks), Johnny Tapusoa and Devailo Galeai. Abraham Silva, the OIA Red’s leading rusher, finished with 19 yards on seven attempts. Tyler Taumua had 49 yards on 12 carries. The longest Farrington run from scrimmage was 15 yards.

"I hope it’s a wake-up call," Okimoto added. "Maybe we need this loss. Guys will realize how much effort it takes."

Farrington’s defense came out stonewalling the Red Raiders for a short while. Linebacker Syndreck Dsio led the charge, but he suffered a leg injury in the first quarter and limped off the field. From there, the opening half was a demonstration of Kahuku’s prowess in all phases.

Early turnovers by Farrington were cashed in by the Red Raiders. The Govs got an early break when Setefano Lavatai made a leaping interception at the Farrington 5-yard line, but three plays later, Johnson stepped in and made an easy pick-6 of a pass by sophomore Montana Liana.

Johnson’s 7-yard return gave the Red Raiders a 7-0 lead with 6:15 left in the opening quarter.

Kahuku’s determined offensive line then took command. Big Red drove 80 yards in 13 plays, including an 18-yard pass from Livai to Johnson and a 15-yard toss from Livai to McKay Lewis.

Liua, who bulldozed his way to 64 yards on just four carries before halftime, powered his way ahead on a 21-yard gain before scoring on an 11-yard burst. The junior dragged the final defender, stretching the ball over the goal line for his third touchdown of the year.

"I didn’t think the hole was going to open up that big," Liua said.

Kahuku led 14-0 with 11:54 to go in the first half, all but silencing what had been a boisterous pro-Governors crowd.

After Jake Samsel connected on a 37-yard field goal — with plenty to spare — the Red Raiders led 17-0 with 4:29 remaining in the half.

Farrington’s offense showed more life on its final series of the half, with Liana rolling out on first-down play-action passes, but the drive stalled at the Kahuku 49.

It was stunning from one aspect: Kahuku had 90 yards in penalties by intermission, Farrington had just 20, and the Red Raiders had total control. Samsel had two kickoffs for touchbacks as Kahuku held an edge in field position most of the first 24 minutes.

The Red Raiders continued their dominance in the second half, grinding out long drives. Livai’s slick play-action pass to Johnson for a 16-yard touchdown put Kahuku up 24-0 with 10:32 remaining.

Liua added his second touchdown, a 33-yard blast up the middle, for a 31-0 cushion with 4:56 to go.

Against Kahuku’s reserves, the Govs ended a scoring drought against Kahuku, going back more than seven quarters — to last year’s 14-13 win by Farrington — when Liana hit Francis Evangelia on a quick pass, and the wide receiver went 84 yards for a touchdown.