The rematch of last year's Division I state title game provided a rerun of a frantic final 2 minutes.
This time, the Punahou Buffanblu created a different ending. Brett Kan fired a 4-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Whitford -- the only reception of the game for the senior -- as time expired to give Punahou a heart-stopping 20-18 win over defending state champion Kahuku at Aloha Stadium.
"For us to come through against the state champs means a lot to the program," Punahou coach Kale Ane said. "We have a lot of things to work on. The list goes on and on, but the kids never quit."
Kan redeemed himself in the clutch, leading the offense on a 69-yard drive in the final 2 minutes and 57 seconds. The senior overcame a four-interception performance and finished with 25 completions in 44 attempts for 274 yards.
"It felt eerily like the last time I was here," said Kan, who drove Punahou downfield in the final seconds of last year's championship game, only to toss an interception in the end zone. "This time, I was just thinking, 'Hit my receivers, get to the line fast and don't throw any picks.' "
Miah Ostrowski amassed 12 catches for 186 yards and a touchdown. Kahuku stymied the senior in the second half until the final drive, when Ostrowski caught three passes, including a key 8-yard gain on fourth-and-6. That gave Punahou first down at the 4-yard line.
Kahuku stuck with its bread-and-butter, using two tight ends for most of the night under new head coach Reggie Torres. Neal Lokotui, a 250-pound running back, finished with 70 yards on eight attempts, while Lehi Aumua tallied 60 yards on 16 carries for two touchdowns.
The Red Raiders amassed 261 rushing yards, as 12 players carried the ball in the first game for both teams. They threw just six times.
The matchup of power vs. finesse took shape from the start. The Red Raiders lined up in double-tight-end sets and scored on their third play from scrimmage. Pita Tanuvasa's 79-yard jaunt off the right side included a broken tackle on the edge. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound senior, listed as a defensive back, gave Kahuku a 6-0 lead with 8:46 remaining in the opening quarter.
Kaika Sasaoka's PAT attempt was wide right.
Punahou drove to the Kahuku 13-yard line on the ensuing possession before stalling. River Kim's 30-yard field-goal try into a cross wind was wide left, but Kahuku gave the Buffanblu a gift moments later.
A bad snap led to a sack of Red Raider punter Gary Nagy, and Punahou took over at the 20-yard line. A quick 14-yard toss from Kan to Ostrowski gave the Buffanblu first down at the 1. On third down, Kan tossed a swing pass to running back Kainoa Carlson for a 2-yard touchdown.
Kim's extra-point kick gave Punahou a 7-6 lead with 1:09 to play in the first quarter.
Another Kahuku giveaway, an errant lateral from quarterback Reggie Torres, was recovered by Punahou defensive back Troy Yasuda at the Red Raider 21-yard line. Three plays later, Kan connected with Ostrowski on a crossing pattern for a 10-yard touchdown pass.
Kim drilled the PAT kick and Punahou led 14-6 with 8:37 remaining in the first half.
After a 77-yard kickoff return through the hashmarks by Shiloh Te'o, Kahuku patiently pounded the ball left and right against Punahou's young defense.
Aumua burst up the middle for a 13-yard scoring run, and Kahuku was within 14-12 with 5:47 left in the half.
YESTERDAY'S RESULTS
Punahou 20, Kahuku 18
At Aloha Stadium
| Kahuku (0-1) |
6 |
6 |
6 |
0 |
-- |
18
|
| Punahou (1-0) |
7 |
7 |
0 |
6 |
-- |
20 |
Kah--Pita Tanuvasa 79 run (kick failed).
Pun--Kainoa Carlson 2 pass from Brett Kan (River Kim kick).
Pun--Miah Ostrowski 10 pass from Kan (Kim kick).
Kah--Lehi Aumua 13 run (run failed).
Kah--Aumua 1 run (pass failed).
Pun--Kyle Whitford 4 pass from Kan (PAT not attempted).
RUSHING--Kahuku: Lehi Aumua 16-60, Pita Tanuvasa 3-82, Neal Lokotui 15-70, Blane Beatty 4-17, Gary Nagy 1-(-17), Ian Fujinaga 4-15, Richard Torres 2-3, William Huihui 2-0, Kaliki Unga 4-9, Junior Mataafa 4-11, Nalu Carvalho 1-(-7). Samson Manu-Olevao 2-18. Punahou: Brett Kan 3-(-19), Kainoa Carlson 5-24, Dalton Hilliard 1-6.
PASSING--Kahuku: Torres 0-1-0-0, Huihui 2-3-0-16, Carvalho 0-1-0-0, Manu-Olevao 1-1-0-6. Punahou: Kan 25-44-4-274.
RECEIVING--Kahuku: Pelefoni Soliai 1-10, Willie Ching 1-6, Onosai Wong 1-6. Punahou: Miah Ostrowski 12-186, Carlson 4-21, Patrick McFadden 1-5, Kameron Steinhoff 3-26, Hilliard 3-17, Keola Kane 1-15, Kyle Whitford 1-4.
Junior varsity--Punahou 36, Kahuku 14.
Saint Louis 42, McKinley 7
At Kaiser Stadium
| McKinley (0-1) |
0 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
-- |
7
|
| Saint Louis (1-0) |
7 |
0 |
21 |
14 |
-- |
42 |
StL--Elston Pang 16 fumble return (Kenton Chun kick).
StL--Chase Alcott 23 pass from Micah Mamiya (Chun kick).
StL--Christopher Kamaka 20 fumble return (Chun kick).
McK--Ben Davis 54 pass from Tilton Kaluna (Chelsie Sato kick).
StL--Alcott 88 kickoff return (Chun kick).
StL--Lene Auelua 7 run (Chun kick).
StL--Kekoa Phillips 1 run (Chun kick).
RUSHING--McKinley: Alan Hashimoto 1-18, Josh Ward 5-12, Tilton Kaluna 7-4, Jarrett Luna 5-(-1). Saint Louis: Lene Auelua 6-34, Mamiya 6-32, Tamatoa DeMello 2-19, Keani Nishigaya 1-11, Devan Essner 2-10, Preston Lynch 1-5, Joshua Aina 2-4, Alcott 1-3, Kekoa Phillips 1-1, Ryan Iaea 1-0, Austin Wakinekona 3-(-1), team 1-(-8).
PASSING--McKinley: Kaluna 9-27-0-100. Saint Louis: Mamiya 16-29-1-139, Jayson Fukumoto 1-3-0-31, DeMello 1-1-0-16.
RECEIVING--McKinley: Josh Nakama 2-33, Alan Hashimoto 2-11, Jarrett Luna 2-(-5), Ben Davis 1-54, Ervin Sione 1-4, Tuimatagalu Togia 1-3. Saint Louis: Ricksson Pacarro 4-96, Iaea 7-41, Kulia Aiona 3-22, Alcott 2-20, Josh Saio 1-6, Preston Lynch 1-2.
Junior varsity--Saint Louis 79, McKinley 0
Farrington 37, Waianae 0
At Waianae H.S. Field
| Farrington (1-0) |
18 |
13 |
6 |
0 |
-- |
37
|
| Waianae (0-1) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
-- |
0 |
Far--Hercules Sula 3 pass from Elijah Filifili (kick blocked).
Far--Elijah Lesu 26 pass from Filifili (kick failed).
Far--Lesu 39 run (kick failed).
Far--Sula 1 run (Laoleamiatonu Tuimalealiifano kick).
Far--Maeli Siliga 9 pass from Filifili (kick blocked).
Far--Lesu 30 pass from Filifili (kick failed).
RUSHING--
Farrington: Lesu 3-52, Sula 8-17, Kelemete Talia 8-10, Joshua Agasiva Fernandez 2-2, Iese Taei 1-(-1), Alefesio Iu 1-(-5), Filifili 2-(-21).
Waianae: Danny Kekoanui 4-72, Justin Kauwalu 2-29, Bronson Panui 1-25, Preston Ayala 2-19, Glen Wain 7-18, Miller Ualesi 1-15, Nalu Hauhio 3-8, David Ferreira 1-4, Roy DeMello 1-4, Tyson Ranada 1-1, Ben McQuown 3-(-12), Togamalu Brown 4-(-29).
PASSING--
Farrington: Filifili 18-25-0-227.
Waianae: McQuown 2-4-0-(-2), Brown 0-4-0-0.
RECEIVING--
Farrington: Siliga 6-66, Lesu 5-84, Sula 4-55, Agasiva Fernandez 2-11, Fairaiese Emosi 1-11.
Waianae: Kekoanui 1-(-2), Don Medeiros 1-0.
Junior varsity--Waianae 6, Farrington 6
Campbell 17, Castle 6
At Castle H.S. Field
| Campbell (1-0) |
7 |
3 |
7 |
0 |
-- |
17
|
| Castle (0-1) |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
-- |
6 |
Cam--Bronson Ellis 3 run (Kia Kapana kick).
Cam--FG Kapana 35.
Cas--Corey Paredes 35 pass from Bryson Ukauka (kick failed).
Cam--Ellis 1 run (Kapana kick).
RUSHING--Campbell: Ellis13-94, Brazil Kelii17-67, Pita Seleunga 5-25, Jesse Lee 4-22, Keneke Kapule 3-9, Obadiah Mataio 4-3, Jayden Ercanbrack 1-(-5), Lowen Tynanes 3-(-7), Martin Kodama 1-(-12). Castle: Damian Spotkaess 6-33, Kaleo Silva 2-1, Ukauka 6-(-14).
PASSING--Campbell: Mataio 3-6-0-20. Castle: Ukauka 12-34-2-173.
RECEIVING--Campbell: Elway Tautua 1-8, Lee 1-7, Kapule 1-5. Castle: Silva 5-76, Paredes 3-57, Scott Keiler-Charles 2-33, Bronson Kekahuna 2-7.
Junior varsity--Campbell 19, Castle 0
Damien 27, Kapolei 13
At Kapolei H.S. field
| Damien (1-0) |
7 |
6 |
14 |
0 |
-- |
27
|
| Kapolei (0-1) |
7 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
-- |
13 |
Dam--Kama Bailey 1 run (kick good).
Kapo--Mason Koa 9 pass from Aaron Santiago (Santiago kick).
Dam--Kenneth Rossi 4 pass from George Martin (kick failed).
Dam--Bailey 81 run (kick good).
Dam--Martin 1 run (kick good).
Kapo--Santiago 24 pass from Koa (kick failed).
RUSHING--Damien: Bailey 25-185, Martin 4-17, Kaimana Balanon 1-1, Haku Correa 1-4, Chris Cross 2-(-1), Shane Philpot 1-(-3). Kapolei: Kamuela Foki 12-80, Koa 5-68, Josh Hose 3-20, Santiago 6-10, Cyril Ontai 1-3.
PASSING--Damien: Martin 7-15-0-87. Kapolei: Santiago 9-13-0-96, Koa 4-6-0-160.
RECEIVING--Damien: Rhema Sabate 4-37, Rossi 1-4, Rein Ota 1-18, Bailey 1-28. Kapolei: Santiago 4-110, Foki 2-72, Koa 3-36, Kelii Aki 3-21, Hose 1-17.
Junior varsity--Kapolei 32, Pac-Five 7
Moanalua 41, Roosevelt 0
At Moanalua H.S. Field
| Roosevelt (0-1) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
-- |
0
|
| Moanalua (1-0) |
7 |
13 |
14 |
7 |
-- |
41 |
Moan--Jordan Monico 3 run (Justin Watanabe kick).
Moan--Monico 73 run (Watanabe kick).
Moan--Roland Publos 25 pass from Monico (pass failed).
Moan--Monico 17 run (Watanabe kick).
Moan--Jared Salvador-Ataby 1 run (Watanabe kick).
Moan--Kirk Hubbard 5 run (Watanabe kick).
RUSHING--Roosevelt: Shaide Quisano 5-13, Kabin Kikuyama 1-1, Kaui Kavolulo 2-(-1), Haichi Nguyen 7-(-4), Lowen Kahooilihala 4-(-9). Moanalua: Monico 15-199, Darryl Nicely 3-49, Salvador-Ataby 5-42, Pono Tiave 4-41, Hubbard 3-19, Jordan Taniyama 4-17, Steven Sedenio 3-16, Robbey Evsibio 2-12, Michael Garringan 1-2, Mark Tupas 1-0.
PASSING--Roosevelt: Nguyen 2-5-0-6, Kahooilihala 12-17-0-69. Moanalua: Monico 6-10-0-95.
RECEIVING--Roosevelt: Kenese Ola 3-33, Daniel Arrvoa 3-(-1), Lowen Furuta-Harada 2-21, Quisano 2-7, Kikuyama 2-5, Justin Otaguro 1-9, Kavolulo 1-1. Moanalua: Savai'i Eselu 2-31, Publos 1-25, Garringan 1-18, Tiave 1-11, Salvador-Ataby 1-10.
Mililani 34, Kaimuki 12
At Mililani H.S. Field
| Kaimuki (0-1) |
0 |
6 |
0 |
6 |
-- |
12
|
| Mililani (1-0) |
13 |
14 |
7 |
0 |
-- |
34 |
Mil--Isiah Lawelawe 33 interception return (Colin Lund kick).
Mil--Jordan Torres 47 run (kick failed).
Kaim--Christopher Etuale 70 interception return (kick blocked).
Mil--Torres 39 run (Lund kick).
Mil--Tyran Onizuka 15 run (Lund kick).
Mil--Torres 10 run (Lund kick).
Kaim--Chase Nanod 3 run (kick failed).
RUSHING--Kaimuki: Nanod 9-27, Dolly Ainuu 4-13, Joshua Salvador 5-10, Makalii Nahinu 3-3, Justin Uyeda 1-3, James Dower 2-1, Bryan Miyamoto 1-0, Kapono Kaivi-Barrenuedo 2-(-1), Maua Tuitele 1-(-3). Mililani: Torres 10-187, Onizuka 8-55, Kala Pebera 3-17, Rustin Funakoshi 1-10, Shaw Alesna 4-8, Lawelawe 2-3, Zack Villeneueva 2-(-13).
PASSING--Kaimuki: Kaiwi-Barrenuedo 4-22-1-28. Mililani: Funakoshi 4-7-1-41, Villeneueva 0-1-0-0.
RECEIVING--Kaimuki: Christopher Etuale 2-33, Tuitele 1-0, Salvador 1-(-5). Mililani: Scott Vurns 1-15, Joey Cadiz 1-9, B.J. Ogg 1-9, Kawika Setuerra 1-8.
Junior varsity--Mililani 18, Kaimuki 0
Kamehameha 27, Nanakuli 12
At Kunuiakea Stadium
| Nanakuli (0-1) |
0 |
6 |
0 |
6 |
-- |
12
|
| Kamehameha (1-0) |
7 |
13 |
0 |
7 |
-- |
27 |
Kam--Truman Chun 46 run (kick good).
Kam--Bronson Deluze 8 run (kick good).
Nan--Juan West 35 pass from Chase McGill (kick failed).
Kam--Chun 14 run (kick failed).
Kam--Kaulupono Perez 4 run (kick good).
Nan--Ritchie Rosa 55 fumble return (kick failed).
RUSHING--Nanakuli: Meshane Sausi 6-34, Chase McGill 5-17, Respicio 1-1, Bradley Tolentino 5-(-2), Jerson Bacalso 4-(-6). Kamehameha: Chun 11-144, Pono Perez 15-128, Michael Hoke 1-5, Deluze 4-(-4).
PASSING--Nanakuli: McGill 6-15-1-117, Respicio 2-10-0-15. Kamehameha: Deluze 4-9-0-69, Hoke 4-13-1-36.
RECEIVING--Nanakuli: West 3-70, Julius Seabrooks 3-22, McGill 1-35, George Pagan 1-5. Kamehameha: Kekoa Osorio 3-70, Kanalu Demello 1-11, George Kaai 1-10, Ian Bernardino 1-8, Jarrin Ching 1-5, Perez 1-1.
Also
Aiea 28, Waipahu 6
