Even a bye week for Kahuku couldn't keep Red Raiders defensive linemen Hauoli Jamora and Kona Schwenke away from another down-to-the wire gridiron classic.

They were key contributors to multiple come-from-behind wins and exciting finishes en route to Kahuku running the table as Oahu Interscholastic Association champions. They spent last weekend in Tucson on an official recruiting trip to the University of Arizona.

In addition to touring the campus and meeting players and coaches, they got a glimpse of what their future could hold as the Wildcats fell to Pac-10 rival Oregon in a thrilling overtime contest, 44-41.

Jamora, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound end with speed to rush quarterbacks and strength to contain opposing runners, orally committed to BYU last summer, but also still has scholarship offers from Arizona and Wyoming on the table.

“;He's getting people calling him, and it's starting to become a little overwhelming,”; Kahuku coach Reggie Torres of the relentless recruiting courtships. “;As you get closer to the signing day, it gets more and more hectic. He'll start eliminating some of the burden by narrowing down his list of schools as signing time gets closer.”;

Jamora says he will wait until after the season to decide, but not until the final hour. He wants to take his time in making such an important decision. It is an example of the team captain's maturity.

“;As a leader, he's been example to our team,”; Torres said. “;He worked hard in the weight room over the offseason and it's paid off. He's one of the spokespersons for the team, a mediator that helps the team address certain concerns with the coaches. The captains know that their teammates can go to them first if they have problems or something they're too shy to bring up to the coaches.”;

Jamora headlines Kahuku's stellar defensive unit that has the team two wins away from an undefeated season, and one from reaching the state championship game.

“;Our D-linemen are studs, they attract attention,”; Torres said.

Jamora, Schwenke and Veteson Sauni consistently draw double- and triple-team attention. That allows the uncovered defensive players to go into pass coverage.

In the OIA Red title game Nov. 6, they combined for eight sacks of Leilehua gunslinger Andrew Manley. Jamora had five of the quarterback takedowns, and 10 in his last two games.

Jamora also recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown in the title game. The score brought Kahuku within a field goal, and it rallied for a 24-20 win over the Mules to claim their second straight championship, and sixth in the past seven years.

Kahuku (11-0) plays league rival Farrington on Friday at Aloha Stadium in a state tournament semifinal. The Governors gave the Red Raiders a scare in the lone regular-season meeting Oct. 2 by taking a 14-0 halftime lead, but Kahuku crawled back for the eventual 16-14 victory. Farrington has not beaten Kahuku since Oct. 31, 2002.

Farrington's senior running back Harry Tuimaseve will again be the focal point for the Kahuku defense. The back is coming off a career-high 258-yard outburst in a 48-16 trouncing of Honokaa in last week's quarterfinal round of the state tourney. Tuimaseve ran for 95 yards on 26 carries in the first meeting with the Red Raiders.

“;I messed up a few times in that game,”; Jamora said. “;I thought they were going to pass, but they ended up running draw plays. But, I'll be ready this time. I'm looking forward to the win, and getting one step closer to a state title.”;

Torres says the defensive front must execute its gap-control assignments perfectly. Each player has an area to contain, and any blown coverage usually results in a long run from scrimmage.

“;We can't over-pursue, we really need to clean (our defense) up because last time, they ran wild on us,”; Torres said. “;Farrington is the underdog, so they've got nothing to lose. In the last meeting, it was a game of two halves. Farrington is not a gimme. Physically, they're the strongest team we've played.”;

Torres emphasized that Jamora and the other linemen must control the battle up front for Kahuku to win.

“;We want (Jamora) to keep doing what he's doing,”; Torres said. “;The goal is to win a championship, and we know what's next if we beat Farrington. But, we have to take care of that first.”;