Posted on: Saturday, November 13, 2004

Defense sparked Red Raiders, again

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

For all the talk about the Kahuku football team's weapons on offense, it has been the Red Raiders' stalwart defense that has been an integral part in winning six O'ahu Interscholastic Association championships in the past seven years.

That defense again carried the day last night in a 36-13 title win over a Mililani team that came in averaging 348 yards per game.

"Any offense would appreciate a defense like ours," Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai said. "They give our offense time to figure out what to do and get things going. We always rely on them."

Things did not start too rosy for the Red Raiders last night, as the Trojans jumped out to a 13-6 lead in the first quarter. But Mililani was shut out the rest of the way, as Kahuku's defense forced two turnovers and limited the Trojans to 214 total yards, including just 32 yards on the ground.

Mililani also was just 2 for 12 on third down conversions, and big-play receiver Jon Santos did not make his first catch until 1:55 remained in the game.

"I just tried to mix up my coverages and make him guess," said Red Raider cornerback Tomasi Fuller, who was responsible for tailing Santos all night.

Santos entered the game with 36 catches for 675 yards and eight touchdowns. He finished with one catch for seven yards.

Mililani did not gain a first down in the second half until 2:49 was left in the fourth quarter.

The Trojans had been averaging 29.8 points per game, and had scored at least 21 points in each of their previous 10 games.

Safety Al Afalava also had a big night, as did linebacker Max Fairclough.

"We had a slow start, so after the first quarter our coach just took us on the side and told us pick it up," Afalava said.

Trojans coach James Millwood said Kahuku's defense looks even better in person than it does on film.

"They have so much team speed, they put a lot of pressure on you," Millwood said. "It's hard to get ready for that."

Coming off a sluggish 12-6 victory over Leilehua in last week's semifinals, Kahuku knew defense would play a big role again.

"That was our objective, to stop them and get the ball to our offense," Fuller said. "That's how we'd put up a win."

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.