GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM Kahuku's Siaosi Lauhingoa looked for running room against Aiea last night at Aloha Stadium.

Kahuku comes to pass

Forced to stray from its potent ground attack, No. 1 Kahuku defeated Aiea 32-8 in the Oahu Interscholastic Association football quarterfinals last night at Aloha Stadium.

OIA Red playoffs Quarterfinals Yesterday At Aloha Stadium » Mililani 41, Kailua 21 » Kahuku 32, Aiea 8 Today » Castle (6-2, 5-1) vs. Kapolei (4-4, 4-2), at Moanalua, 6 p.m. » Farrington (4-4, 4-2) at Leilehua (7-1, 5-1), 6 p.m. Semifinals Nov. 5 At Aloha Stadium » Mililani (9-0) vs. Castle-Kapolei winner, 4:30 or 7 p.m. » Kahuku (8-1) vs. Leilehua-Farrington winner, 4:30 or 7 p.m. OIA White playoffs Semifinals Today » Kaiser (4-4, 4-3) at Waipahu (6-2, 6-1), 6 p.m. » Radford (5-3, 5-2) at Campbell (6-2, 6-1), 6 p.m.

Wide receiver Spencer Hafoka, who doesn't touch the ball much when the Red Raiders dominate the opposition on the ground, caught four touchdown passes from Bronson Ponciano-Ahue to keep upset-minded Na Alii down.

With the victory, defending Division I state champion Kahuku (8-1) advanced to the semifinals next week against the winner of tonight's Leilehua vs. Farrington game. The Red Raiders are gunning for their fourth state title in the past five years.

For Aiea (5-5), it marked an early end to the season compared to a year ago, when it captured the inaugural Division II state tournament. Due to last season's success, Na Alii climbed to D-I this year.

If it hadn't been for two Ponciano-Ahue to Hafoka TD hookups of 23 and 17 yards, the first half may have ended scoreless. Aiea's pumped-up defensive front kept Kahuku's runners in check with immediate hits at the line of scrimmage. In addition, Na Alii's C.J. Tausaga and Kimo Byrd intercepted passes to keep the deficit a respectable 12-0 at the half.

"They stopped our running game pretty well," Hafoka said. "We knew their defensive linemen and linebackers are tough. The next step is to go to the pass, to spread them out and make them respect the pass, and that's what we did."

Two short Aiea punts and poor Na Alii field position, caused in part by Kahuku's hammering defense, led to the first two scores.

Hafoka hauled in two more TD passes in the third quarter, including a 26-yard over-the-shoulder grab, as the lead grew to 26-0. Hafoka finished with nine catches for 171 yards.

"Basically, our defensive players did a good job," said Aiea running back Donny Mapusaga, who toughed out 68 yards on 16 carries. "But they were on the field too much. We came out strong against a really tough team and played as best as we can and that's all you can ask for."

Mapusaga scored Aiea's only touchdown early in the fourth with a 2-yard run. On the previous play, quarterback Kali Kuia was knocked hard to the turf by Kahuku's Al Afalava, but still completed a 21-yard pass to Ian Dela Cuesta to the Red Raiders 2 to set up the TD. Kuia then hooked up with Mapusaga for the 2-point conversion.

Kahuku backup quarterback Jacob Kahawaii threw his team's fifth TD pass of the night -- a 13-yard toss to Viliami Tilini for the final 32-8 count.

David Niumatalolo and B.J. Beatty led the Kahuku defense with impressive tackles for loss, while linebacker William Fairclough had the only sack of Kuia. Afalava contributed with more hard sticks and Mau-He Moala and Julius Purcell came up with interceptions.

Aiea's Malo Taumua and Justin Hunt both sacked Ponciano-Ahue, and teammate Quinton Petersen recovered a fumble.