The Knights are marching right into the OIA playoffs.

Chad Figueroa returned the opening kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown and Castle avoided the dreaded coin flip scenario with a playoff-clinching 38-6 victory over McKinley on Friday night.

Quarterback Willie Ewaliko threw two touchdown passes and Figueroa added a 19-yard touchdown reception for Castle (2-5 OIA Red), which advances to the postseason for the 11th consecutive season.

"This was a tough game because it had playoff implications and we knew McKinley would come and play real hard to try and make the playoffs," Castle coach Nelson Maeda said. "This was a big game for us and it’s nice we have a chance to extend our season."

The Tigers (0-7 OIA Red) needed a win to avoid a three-way tie for the final two spots in the division. Instead, idle Waipahu will receive the No. 6 seed out of the division, while the Knights will own the fifth seed and go on the road next week against the No. 4 seed out of the OIA Blue. 

Ewaliko finished 8-for-20 for 79 yards before he was replaced by Stephen Lee on the second drive of the second half.

Lee completed eight of his 11 attempts for 63 yards.

"We have the luxury of having two quarterbacks that have different skills," Maeda said. "We have different packages for them and we’re very fortunate to have two skilled kids."

Castle scored twice in the opening three minutes. Figueroa returned the opening kick for a score, weaving through a host of Tigers before breaking down the left side.

After forcing a three-and-out, Castle was on the board again on a 13-yard touchdown run by Dane Kamalu.

McKinley, which ran the ball on all 28 offensive plays in the first half, scored on a 1-yard touchdown run by Darrin Lafaele to cut the lead to 14-6.

Ewaliko then went to work in the air, hooking up with Figueroa for a 19-yard touchdown strike to make it 21-6.

Castle got the ball back with 34 seconds left in the half but failed to score as Ewaliko’s pass with no time on the clock was incomplete.

The Tigers were whistled for a penalty after Ewaliko was hit late, forcing one untimed down.

Instead of possibly kicking a field goal, the Knights went for it on the 14 and Ewaliko threw a perfect strike over the middle to Isaiah Lewis to make it 28-6.

"That was a good momentum changer for us," Maeda said. "We thought we could get one in there."

Castle kicker, Laura Tyler, was a perfect 5-for-5 on extra-point tries and made a 28-yard field goal.

She also had a 41-yard field-goal try blocked but got a rousing ovation from the home crowd after making the tackle on the sideline to keep McKinley from returning it for points.

Cast–Chad Figueroa 94 kickoff return (Laura Tyler kick)

Cast–Dane Kamalu 13 run (Tyler kick)

McK–Darrin Lafaele 1 run (run failed)

Cast–Figueroa 19 pass from Willie Ewaliko (Tyler kick)

Cast–Isaiah Lewis 14 pass from Ewaliko (Tyler kick)

Cast–FG Tyler 28

Cast–Ryan Mohika 4 run (Tyler kick)

RUSHING–McKinley: Solomone Lopes-Liutolo 15-54, Nino Mitchell 8-41, Micah Kerisiano 13-25, Kaneala Paro-Cambra 2-6, Christian Lettelier 1-2, Lafaele 8-0. 

Castle: Kamalu 5-24, Mohika 7-22, Colby Kruse 2-21, team 1-(minus 1), Stephen Lee 1-(minus 3), Ewaliko 3-(minus 9).

PASSING–McKinley: Kerisiano 1-2-0-3. Castle: Ewaliko 8-20-1-79, Lee 8-11-0-63.

RECEIVING–McKinley: Keith Lautez 1-3. Castle: Lewis 3-38, Figueroa 3-30, Mike Pomaihealani 3-22, Sione Pikula 2-21, Keanu Furtado 1-11, Lalio Keawe-Aiko-Tilton 1-10, Taylor Bee 1-8, Kamalu 1-4, Mohika 1-(minus 2).

Junior varsity–Castle 28, McKinley 6