JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM John Manu-Olevao and his Kahuku teammates performed a Haka after last night's game.

Red Raiders wait for right moment

Kahuku's QB only completes two passes, but one of them wins the game

All it took was a rare completed pass for the Kahuku Red Raiders to finally break through and defend their HHSAA State title.

Kahuku quarterback Richard Torres found Jordan Kapu on a 14-yard lob in the left corner of the end zone with 23 seconds left for the game-winning score -- and one of just two team receptions all game.

Knotted up at 6-6 as a result of Saint Louis' missed extra point attempt earlier in the quarter, the pressure was now on for kicker Kaika Sasaoka to take advantage of the Crusader error.

Kahuku also has a reputation for having trouble with its kicking game. Earlier in the evening, a 30-yard field-goal attempt fell well short.

But Sasaoka was cool under fire.

"I guess you could say there was a lot of pressure," Sasaoka said as he lined up for the PAT. "I just tried to make it as if it was practice. I just went out there and did the same thing. And I came through for them. It all goes back to the community, and the school."

On the scoring play, Kapu, a senior, juked the Saint Louis defense by faking a post play and instead headed to the back of the end zone on play No. 7.

"I knew already I would have to run my play hard, catch the ball and make it happen," Kapu said. "(Coach) told us to run hard and always feel good about what we were doing. It made me feel really happy to finally get on the scoreboard."

Kahuku also used an improbable Hail Mary pass to win its semifinal game over Baldwin last week as time expired.

"It's the heart of a champion," Kahuku first-year coach Reggie Torres said of his team's resiliency. "They've been doing it all season. I'm so proud of them. Hats off to Saint Louis, they're a great team and it was a close battle."

But for the first three and a half quarters, it was all about squandered opportunities for the defending state champs.

For just a moment, they appeared poised to answer blow for blow after the Crusaders' Keani Nishigaya exploded through for a score with 6:52 remaining.

After the ensuing kickoff, Lehi Aumua burst through a huge hole in the Crusaders' line on first down, running 62 yards with a clear field in front of him. But just like the rest of the Red Raiders' fortunes up to that point, Aumua fell just short, tripping while making a cut at the 12-yard line.

Kahuku would go four and out once the down markers were moved.

The Red Raiders also had their chances in the first half.

Red Raiders junior Justyn Kaka did his best to put his team into a position to score, returning two punts in the first half for 54 yards. The first he returned to the Saint Louis 27, giving his team its first prime opportunity. But a penalty and sack of quarterback Richard Torres by the Crusaders' Solomona Aigamaua on consecutive plays backed Kahuku up and forced the Red Raiders to punt.

Kaka's second return, for 26 yards, also put the ball in enemy territory. That drive ended with a Raiders' fumble on a pitch at the 3-yard line.

But when it counted most, Kahuku came through.