At the end of a miraculous sprint, all Andrew Neves could do was fall to his knees.

"It was just all glory to God," the Kaimuki senior said. "That’s all I had, give praise to the Lord above."

With the Bulldogs’ season in his hands, Neves fielded a kickoff with 13.3 seconds left, found room down the sideline and raced 83 yards to the end zone on the final play of Kaimuki’s stunning 27-22 win over Nanakuli in an OIA Division II semifinal game on Friday night.

Kaimuki (7-3) advanced to the OIA D-II championship game and will face the winner of tonight’s other semifinal between Radford and Waialua in the final on Oct. 30. The Bulldogs also secured one of the OIA’s two berths in the Division II state tournament.

Nanakuli, which was seeking its third state tournament berth in the past four years and a second straight OIA D-II title, ended its season at 7-3.

Nanakuli had just pulled off what looked to be a miracle finish of its own when backup quarterback Brandon Sevelino drove the Golden Hawks, trailing 21-14, 78 yards and threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Isain Wong-Lonzanida to bring Nanakuli within a point. Sevelino then tossed a fade to Keanu Momoa for the 2-point conversion and a 22-21 lead.

Although Kaimuki coach David Tautofi said the Golden Hawks’ score was "a punch in the gut," the Bulldogs had one more chance to answer.

"Neves never returns (kickoffs) for us and something in my gut said ‘Call Neves,’ " Tautofi said. "I called Neves, I said, ‘It’s on you, buddy.’

"Neves got it. I closed my eyes and when I looked up it was all green for him. It was divine intervention tonight."

Kaimuki also benefited from the two-way play of running back/defensive lineman Billy Masima, who rushed for 164 yards and was part of a defensive effort that came up with six turnovers and accounted for two touchdowns.

The effort helped the Bulldogs secure a state tournament berth after going 3-13 the previous two years.

"This is what dreams are made of," Tautofi said.

"This is a changed team. Each kid on this team individually is a different kid than they were when the went into the season."

Nanakuli struck first when Nainoa Banks connected with Keanu Momoa down the right side for a 74-yard touchdown pass.

A 16-play Kaimuki march stalled at the Nanakuli 19, but Cain Asiata pushed Nanakuli inside its 10 with back-to-back sacks and Bulldogs linebacker James Gentile made a one-handed snag of a pass over the middle and took it back to the end zone for the tying touchdown.

The score was the start of a wild exchange.

Chayson Morgan returned the ensuing kickoff 76 yards to the Kaimuki 5, but the Golden Hawks fumbled it away on the next play. The Nanakuli defense forced a three-and-out and Morgan fielded the punt and raced 44 yards for a go-ahead touchdown.

Nanakuli took a 14-7 lead into halftime despite giving away four turnovers. The Golden Hawks’ fifth turnover resulted in Kaimuki’s second defensive touchdown with 4:49 left in the third quarter.

A punt pinned Nanakuli at the 1, and after a short run, the Bulldogs trapped Banks in the end zone and stripped the ball away and Ronnie Akau recovered in the end zone. The extra-point attempt came up short and Nanakuli held on to a 14-13 lead at the 4:49 mark of the third quarter.

Kaimuki took its first lead when Masima powered the Bulldogs on a 10-play drive capped by Keanu Pratt’s quarterback sneak with 3:35 left in the game.