Friday, November 5, 1999
Kahuku returns
to OIA title game
The defending champs will
By Aaron Custodio
play the winner of tonight's Kailua-
Waianae matchup for the crown
Special to the Star-BulletinKahuku is back in the OIA finals.
The defending Oahu Interscholastic Association champion Red Raiders (9-1) defeated Farrington (6-3-1), 29-0, last night in the semifinals at Aloha Stadium.
"A win is a win -- we cut down on some of our penalties and that was our main focus," Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai said. "That was really a big problem for us and that's what we were working on -- to keep our mistakes down."
Kahuku rode its defense, and running back Kala Latuselu, to victory.
The defense recorded a pair of sacks and Jonathan Mapu recovered a fumble and returned it 60 yards for a foruth-quarter score.
Latuselu, meanwhile, rushed for 98 yards on 17 carries , including a pair of touchdown runs in the second quarter, on runs of 4 and 6 yards.
The Red Raiders led, 14-0 at the half.
Farrington's defense racked up five sacks and recovered two fumbles, but Kahuku was just too strong when it counted.
Latuselu's scores were both set up by Fakaloloma Olevao. Olevao's 28-yard reception set up the first score, and his 39-yard reception put the Red Raiders in scoring position again just before the half.
"We started off really slow, then we stepped it up," Latuselu said. "I feel good about my performance, but I must give all the credit to my fullback and offensive line. If there is no block - I'm not going anywhere.æ
"Kala is always a workhorse," Livai said. "We gave him minimum work today to protect him for next week. We wanted to make sure we don't overdo it with him."
The Raiders' defense broke the game wide open. Kahuku's Jonathan Mapu recovered a fumble and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown.
Running back Destin Le'i added another score late in the game.
Kahuku will play the winner of tonight's game between Kailua and Waianae.
"It doesn't get any easier from here," Livai said.
"We have to go back, prepare, and check up on what we need to improve. We are going to watch (tonight's) game and see what they got, then get ready because either team will be fired up and ready to play."
Farrington 0 0 0 0 - 0 Kahuku 0 14 0 15 - 29KAH - Kala Latuselu 4 run (Simon Lee kick)
KAH - Latuselu 6 run (Lee kick)
KAH - Jonathan Mapu 60 fumble recovery (Lee kick)
KAH - Destin Le'i 12 run (Vai Funaki run)Rushing - Farrington: Tuaila Onosai 6-(-2), Michael Rabago 1-(-2), Waylon Philpot 5-(-13). Kahuku: Douglas Nawahine 3-8, Marcus Salamoa 6-19, Fakaloloma Olevao 2-1, Orlando Wong 7-(-3), Magic Atuaia 3-4, Kala Latuselu 17-98, Earvin Atuaia 1-1, Le'i 4-18, Vai Funaki 2-5, Inoke Funaki 2-(-13), A.J. Smith 2-14.
Passing - Farrington: Philpot 15-42-0 for 120 yards. Kahuku: Wong 4-6-0 for 109 yards, Inoke Funaki 2-3-0 for 16 yards..
Receiving - Farrington: Kenneth Gasilos 4-29, Warren Gaspar 5-30, Monty Kuresa 4-21, Matthew Kahn 2-20. Kahuku: Olevao 2-67, Nawahine 1-12, E. Atuaia 1-30, Smith 2-16.
Junior varsity: Kahuku 27, Roosevelt 19.
