Kahuku posted its sixth shutout of the season and the Red Raiders advanced to the state championship game for the 10th time with a 13-0 win over Waianae on Friday at Aloha Stadium.
Kahuku safety Keala Santiago returned the first of his two interceptions for a touchdown early in the third quarter and Red Raiders quarterback Kesi Ah-Hoy rushed for 142 yards on 40 attempts in a Division I semifinal of the HHSAA/First Hawaiian Bank State Football Championships.
Top-seeded Kahuku — 7-2 in the championship game since the state tournament was established in 1999 — will face Saint Louis or defending champion Mililani in the championship game next Friday.
"It’s finally good to be back, give these young guys the experience," Santiago said. "Looking forward to next week."
Two Kekoa Sasaoka field goals and Santiago’s 32-yard interception return on the second play of the third quarter accounted for all of the scoring in the first state tournament game without an offensive touchdown.
The Kahuku defense held Waianae to 76 yards in total offense and came away with three interceptions in the second half.
Held without a first down until the 8:51 mark of the second quarter, Waianae moved the ball into Kahuku territory before the drive stalled at the Red Raiders’ 46 and the Seariders lined up for another punt. The snap went to the up back, but his pass fell incomplete, giving Kahuku possession with 44 seconds left.
Cameron Renaud stepped in at quarterback and completed a 34-yard pass down the Red Raiders sideline to Kekaula Kaniho. A 15-yard strike to Royce Pao then gave Kahuku first-and-goal at the 5 with 22 seconds left. But after three incompletions, Sasaoka hit a 22-yard field goal and the Red Raiders took a 3-0 lead into halftime.
Santiago scored the game’s lone touchdown with his 32-yard return 49 seconds into the third quarter. Kaniho added an interception on Waianae’s next possession and Santiago had another on Waianae’s lone offensive play of the fourth quarter.
Kahuku has gone 15 quarters without giving up an offensive touchdown and has allowed just one in the last 27.
Waianae finished its season at 9-4 and made its first appearance in the state tournament since 2010.
