Punahou in title game

It’s finally here — barely.

No. 1 Punahou and No. 2 Mililani can stop dodging questions about a potential rematch of the 2013 state final won by the Buffanblu.

The two powerhouses of their respective leagues will clash once again with the state championship on the line after Punahou survived an emotional affair against Kahuku with a 13-10 victory in the semifinals of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Football State Championships on Saturday night at Aloha Stadium.

Jet John Toner kicked two field goals in the final three minutes, including the game-winner from a career-long 48 yards to extend Punahou’s winning streak to 19 games and send the Buffanblu to their fourth straight appearance in the Division I state final.

"It was just like every other rep we’ve had," said Toner, who made the kick with 30 seconds remaining. "We’ve done it a thousand times before. The offense put me in a great place and everyone did their jobs."

Punahou (8-0) beat Kahuku (9-3) in the first meeting between the two schools since the Red Raiders defeated the Buffanblu in the 2012 state final.

Punahou hasn’t lost since then.

Senior Kanawai Noa, who needs 41 yards to surpass Gerald Welch’s career receiver record of 3,490 yards, intercepted Tuli Wily-Matagi and ran out the clock on the game’s final play.

Noa and fellow receiver Micah Ma’a played defense for the final 30 seconds as Kahuku made one last push to try to tie it.

The final pass went off the hands of receiver Alohi Gilman into the arms of Noa, who didn’t go down until the clock struck zero.

"It was the last play of the game so I decided after the interception to try to run out the clock," Noa said. "It was an emotional game and Kahuku has a lot of ties at Punahou. It was a rough game."

The team combined for 14 turnovers. Punahou, which averaged 48 points a game coming in, was held without an offensive touchdown and 147 total yards.

Quarterback Ephraim Tuliloa had thrown only two interceptions all year, but was picked off three times and finished 19-for-37 for 138 yards.

The Buffanblu had minus 4 rushing yards total with junior Wayne Taulapapa held to 25 yards on eight carries.

"We’ve done that all year," Kahuku coach Lee Leslie said. "It should have gone into overtime and we were ready for that."

Kahuku was whistled for consecutive defensive pass interference penalties on Punahou’s final drive, including a questionable call on Gilman that moved the ball to the 35. A long throw down the sideline went incomplete and could have been called pass interference on the Punahou receiver for pushing off.

It wasn’t, and Toner drilled the winning field goal.

Now the Buffanblu, which became the first team since Saint Louis (1999-2003) to make four straight title games, get the undefeated Trojans for a crack at their third state title overall.

"We got to see them play Saint Louis (a 63-37 win) early in the year and they’re scary on offense," Punahou coach Kale Ane said. "It’s going to be a tremendous challenge for us. In a situation like this everybody is focused and we’re still close to our goal so it’s a fun time for us all."

Kahuku outgained Punahou 270-147 but was done in by seven turnovers, including five interceptions.

Wily-Matagi scored the only offensive touchdown on a 5-yard run but was 9-for-23 for 161 yards.

Noa opened the game with an 83-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Manaia Atuaia led the Red Raiders defense with nine tackles and three forced fumbles and Salanoa-Alo Wily was in on both of Kahuku’s sacks.

Kalama Chung led Punahou with 12 tackles, two forced fumbles and a sack.

"We did with our heart," said linebacker Saitui Moea’i, who had seven tackles and a fumble recovery. "Both defenses came ready to play. We trailed most of the game and I’m glad we all pulled together as one family and finished strong."

At Aloha Stadium

Pun—Kanawai Noa 83 kickoff return (Jet John Toner kick)
Kah—FG Gabriel Pinheiro-Alves 37
Kah—Tuli Wily-Matagi 5 run (Pinheiro-Alves kick)
Pun—FG Toner 35
Pun—FG Toner 48
RUSHING—Punahou: Wayne Taulapapa 8-25, Ephraim Tuliloa 10-24, Team 2-(-53). Kahuku: Kesi Ah-Hoy 25-68, Salanoa-Alo Wily 9-34, Wily-Matagi 6-10, Pena Fetisimanu 3-8, Alohi Gillman 1-(-11).
PASSING—Punahou: Tuliloa 19-37-3-138, Nicholas Kapule 1-1-0-13. Kahuku: Wily-Matagi 9-23-5-161.
RECEIVING—Punahou: Noa 9-89, Taulapapa 5-31, Judd Cockett 5-27, Kala’i Santos 1-4. Kahuku: Keala Santiago 3-73, Chance Maghanoy 2-47, Gillman 2-22, Noah Magalei 1-15, Ah-Hoy 1-4.
Att: 10,455