Posted at 11:45 p.m., Friday, December 2, 2005
Kahuku captures state Division I football crown
Advertiser Staff
Kahuku rallied for 16 points in the fourth quarter and the defense intercepted a Punahou pass in the end zone with 23 seconds remaining as the Red Raiders won their fourth state football championship with a 28-21 victory in the Division I final tonight at Aloha Stadium.Malosi Te'o of Kahuku had 30 rushes for 262 yards and two touchdowns.
Kahuku, of the O'ahu Interscholastic Association, finished 11-1. Punahou, of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu, finished 11-3.
Punahou, playing in their first state championship, led 14-12 at halftime, and increased its lead to 21-12 on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Brett Kan to Kyle Whitford with 11:53 remaining in the game.
Kahuku closed to 21-20 on a 79-yard touchdown run by Te'o and a two-point conversion run by Kamuela Alisa. The Red Raiders took a 22-21 lead when defensive lineman Kaniela Tuipulotu tackled a Punahou rusher for a safety.
Alisa closed out the scoring on a 5-yard TD run with 2:37 to go.
The Buffanblu got the ball back on the ensuing kickoff and drove to the Kahuku 3. But Suaesi Tuimaunei intercepted a Punahou pass in the end zone for a touchback with 23 seconds remaining.
Kan finished 22 of 52 for 271 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions.
Kahuku also won state titles in 2000, 2001 and 2003.
