Kopra, the BIIF's Defensive Player of the Year last season, rushed for 184 yards and five touchdowns last night. He also had two catches for 31 yards, recovered two fumbles, and kicked five PATs for the Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division II champion.

"He embodies the spirit of this team," HPA coach Tom Goodspeed said. "He never quits and he never dies. He does everything."

Waipahu (7-4), the O'ahu Interscholastic Association White Division runner-up, was eliminated from the state tournament. It made its tournament debut after going 1-7 last season.

"It was a reward for everybody who kept the faith and kept believing," Waipahu coach Sean Saturnio said.

Kopra led the way in Ka Makani's first scoring drive, carrying the ball six times for 51 yards, including a touchdown run of 10 yards at the 7:21 mark.

Ka Makani quarterback Billy Case threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Zach Say at 6:18 to make it 13-0.

"That was our goal; to get up and get up quick," Goodspeed said. "We knew they had a high-powered offense."

Kopra scored on a 3-yard run with 1:21 left in the first quarter and on a 5-yard run with 1:09 remaining in the half, giving HPA a 27-0 lead.

"Any time you fall behind a good team it's hard," Saturnio said. "They dominated on both sides of the ball."

Ben Ameperosa scored Waipahu's only touchdown in the first half on an 18-yard pass from Austen Benito with 22.8 seconds to go, and Benito ran in the two-point conversion.

Waipahu scored on its first drive in the second half on a 61-yard touchdown pass from Benito to Ryan Winfree. The score included a bizarre play in which Winfree rolled off a defender, landed on his feet, and continued his run toward the end zone.

Kopra scored again on a 4-yard run with 5:44 left in the third quarter, and on a 2-yard run with 7:16 in the fourth quarter.

"We have an amazing line," Kopra said. "They work super hard on that."

Saturnio agreed: "They have such a good running game. Their offensive line is so well coached. It was reminiscent of last week (29-27 loss to Campbell in the OIA White title game), where we couldn't get the ball back."

HAWAI'I PREP (11-2) 20 7 7 7—41

WAIPAHU (7-4) 0 8 8 0—16

HPA—Michael Kopra 10 run (kick failed)

HPA—Zach Say 25 pass from Billy Case (Kopra kick)

HPA—Kopra 3 run (Kopra kick)

HPA—Kopra 5 run (Kopra kick)

WAIP—Ben Ameperosa 18 pass from Austen Benito (Benito run)

WAIP—Ryan Winfree 61 pass from Benito (Krypton Taito run)

HPA—Kopra 4 run (Kopra kick)

HPA—Kopra 2 run (Kopra kick)

RUSHING—Hawai'i Prep: Kopra 30-184, Say 10-46, Case 6-2, Andrew Queen 1-1. Waipahu: Benito 11-34, Taito 8-48, Ameperosa 1-(minus 8), Stan Abasial 3-4, Winfree 1-6.

PASSING—Hawai'i Prep: Case 6-10-0—97. Waipahu: Benito 7-15-1—142.

RECEIVING—Hawai'i Prep: Queen 1-6, Say 2-52, Sparky Springmeier 1-8, Kopra 2-31. Waipahu: Ricky Noble 1-(minus 1), Abasial 3-30, Winfree 2-95, Ameperosa 1-18.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2457.

KAUA'I 49, PAC-THREE 7

Kekoa Crowell threw five touchdown passes as Kaua'i routed Pac-Three in a Division II state tournament game.

PAC-Three (3-5) 0 0 7 0— 7

KAUA'I (6-1-0) 35 7 7 0—49

Kau—Kevin Cadiente 51 from Kekoa Crowell (Frank Speetjens kick).

Kau—Cadiente 5 pass from Crowell (Speetjens kick)

Kau—Crowell 3 run (Speetjens kick)

Kau—Lucky Andres 18 pass from Crowell (Speetjens kick)

Kau—Jett Jasper 24 pass from Crowell (Speetjens kick)

Kau—Duke Dasalia 24 pass from Crowell (Speetjens kick)

P3—Chris Faulkner 40 run (Tie Perdido kick)

Kau—Chad Lopez 3 pass from Tron Rule (Kainoa Lemke kick)

RUSHING—Pac-Three: Faulkner 16-112, Taloa Latu 6-3, Max Young 3-(minus 5), #28 2-1. Kaua'i: Niko Elvenia 10-61, Crowell 1-9, Jonathan Rellin 6-57, Brian Rodriguez 2-3, Rule 1-(minus 10).

PASSING—Pac-Three: Young 0-6-1—0, Mark Miller 0-1-1—0. Kaua'i: Crowell 7-11-0—181, Rule 11-19-1—97.

RECEIVING—Pac-Three: None. Kaua'i: Cadiente 3-95, Andres 1-18, Jasper 1-24, Lopez 3-31, Dasalia 2-45, Matt Buza 2-23, Elvenia 1-5, Alan Kalili 4-30, Bryce Hosaka 1-7.