The first week of the HHSAA State Football Championships are now over: the Kahuku Red Raiders (Open Division) and Iolani Raiders (Division I) emerged victorious, capping of special seasons for both teams.
In the state's highest division, the Red Raiders captured their first ever open division title, blowing out the St. Louis Crusaders 49-14. Although St. Louis mounted a brief 14-point comeback in the second quarter (Boston Opetaia TD run, 46-yard TD Trech Kekahuna catch from A.J. Bianco), Kahuku's initial 28-0 start was too much to overcome.
In the end, the Kahuku offense was firing on all cylinders: QB Jason Mariteragi completed 10-of-13 for 186 yards and three touchdowns (nearly all going to Kainoa Carvalho), while the Red Raider running game rushed for 208 yards and three touchdowns on 5.3 yards per carry.
A.J. Bianco finished the championship with 143 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions on 11-for-20 passing.
The win marks the first time in four open division title game matchups that Kahuku has bested St. Louis and the first time St. Louis has lost a state title game to Kahuku since 2015.
For the 10-0 team from the North Shore, the win remarks a return to dominance and a chance to remember some special coaches along the way.
"Coach Maui Kahalepuna, coach Matt Faga and coach Dave Vimahi and their families: this one is for them. They meant so much to our players and our program," head coach Sterling Carvalho said. "We're back. The trophy is coming back to the North Shore and this is the start of something great. We hope to keep it there."
"I've always dreamed of this, of winning a state championship, especially for football," Kahuku defensive back Liona Lefau said. "We did this for more people than just us. This is a really big deal."
In the division one title game, the 'Iolani Raiders flipped the script in 2021 after their 2019 loss to Hilo in the state title game. Against Lahainaluna, the Raiders completed their perfect 11-0 season with a perfect game: a 38-0 victory.
Along with a defense that allowed just 132 yards to Lahainaluna, the Raider offense was efficient. Kualau Manuel completed 13-of-16 for 173 yards and three touchdowns to Kai Preusser, Taniela Taliauili and Keao Miyahira.
Although usual workhorse Brody Bantolina (87 yards on 23 carries) was held without a score, Tristan Martinez and Manuel both scored rushing touchdowns on the ground to seal the victory for Iolani.
In an emotional post-game interview, both Bantolina and longtime Iolani head coach Wendell Look were emotional about what this game meant to the program after a tough loss in 2019 and COVID-19 canceled season in 2020.
"It's been long. Fighting through this covid thing, it's been taxing, it's been hard. These kids keep us young," Look said. "We're playing for the guys that missed out of that 2020 season. That just goes to show you what type of team this is. They're so selfless and I'm just so happy for them."
"I truly have no words, it's such a different feeling. It's tears of joy this time, I'm just so thankful," Bantolina said. "It's been such a journey, especially what happened two years ago. It's all for the seniors who lost their opportunity."
Have a story idea or sporting event he should cover? Email Keith at kdemolder@kitv.com
