KIF champion Kapaa advances to Division II state football final
STEVEN ERLER / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER
Kapaa Warriors running back Kaikea Tandal (4) runs the ball past Hawaii Preparatory Academy Ka Makani defensive back Luke Hendricks (15) and defensive back Ben Kubo (5) during the first half of a Division II State Championship game today at Farrington High School’s Edward Skippa Diaz Stadium.
Five different Kapaa players rushed for touchdowns and the Warriors shut out Hawaii Prep 51-0 today in the Division II semifinals of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Football State Championships at Skippa Diaz Stadium.
Kapaa (7-0) improved to 7-0 in its first game played in a state tournament but is 0-6 in the next round, including an 0-4 mark in the state final.
The Warriors will play Kamehameha-Maui next Thursday for the Division II state title. Kamehameha-Maui beat Kaiser 48-24 tonight.
>> PHOTOS: HPA vs. Kapaa
Kian Rapozo, Pokei Tafea and Solomone Malafu rushed for touchdowns in the first half to lead the Warriors, who outgained Hawaii Prep 263-66 in total yards.
Hawaii Prep (7-1) suffered its first loss of the season and is now 2-5 in the state tournament. Ka Makani was making its first appearance in states since 2009, when it beat Moanalua in the first round before losing to Kapaa in the semifinals on Kauai.
Just three years ago, HPA went 1-7 overall and winless in BIIF play.
