Iolani's KJ Pascua attempts to ward off a Kapaa defender. The Raiders topped the Warriors 29-24 in the Division II semis. Johnny Wilson | Special to SL

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Iolani was the king of Division II. Prior to the 2013 season, the Raiders had claimed their sixth straight and seventh overall championship with a 36-33 win over Lahainaluna in the 2012 Division II state title game. 

Last year was different. The string of consecutive championships ended with a semifinal 28-7 loss to eventual runner-up Kauai. The fall from the throne was steep, but has made the journey back to the final game of the year that much sweeter.

Iolani, the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division II champion, will be making its ninth title game appearance in the 12th edition of the First Hawaiian Bank/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division II Football State Championships when it does battle with top-seeded Lahainaluna Friday. A win against the Lunas will give the Raiders (7-3) their eight state title.

"It was a disappointing loss but we came back this year worked even harder," Iolani free safety Quinton Slade-Matautia said on the team's semifinal loss in 2013. "Hopefully we can bring the title back home." 

The season-ending loss to Kauai last year was one that sent shock waves throughout the state. The streak was snapped and for the first time in seven years, the Raiders had to see someone else hoisting up the koa trophy. That stinging loss had a lot to contribute to Iolani's motivation this year.

"Every team is different and the makeup is never identical. I think our standards are set very high and I think this group understood what it would take to get back to this (championship) game," said Iolani coach Wendell Look, whose team is ranked second in the ScoringLive/OC16 Division II Power Rankings.  "It made the standards a little higher and made us be more accountable for what (we) do. (The players) took a lot of the responsibility on their own shoulders to make sure that things are done the right way. 

"They didn't take anything for granted. The lesson they learned from last year is that you have to go out and earn everything and anything that you want and get. It's not a given, it's not a guarantee. People are not going to give you things so this group didn't feel entitled because of our history and our past." 

Iolani and its athletic program as a whole, has become synonymous with the motto "One Team." While the maxim is still present, this year's football squad has taken it to a whole ‘nother level. 

"I think this team's motto this year was they wanted not only to become a team, but they wanted to become a family," explained Look. "We felt that they wanted to care and take care for one another and everybody be treated as a family maker. It's not saying that there's not going to be disagreements or arguments – you're going to have your hard feelings once in a while – but that's what a family is. Not everything is going to be smooth and you're going to have your ups and downs. It's how you deal with the down part, the adversity, that's going to make your team stronger."

While the mindsets of the players were going to be different, the team's offense also developed a new identity. Leading the Raiders to their three most recent championships was a dynamic quarterback in Reece Foy, who was able to create opportunities with his ability to move in the pocket. While Iolani still employs much of the same spread-like look on offense, the team has been keen on taking what the defense gives them with 2013 All-Hawaii Division II second team QB Austin Jim On at the helm. 

"I think he's always been a heady, intelligent player," Look said on Jim On. "He has great decision making and he got a little bit stronger this year. He understands the offense a little bit more, which enables him to pull out games out in the end." 

The Raiders have also been blessed with some size up front with two Division I prospects in LT Kamuela Borden and RG Nathaniel Oishi bolstering the offensive line. Borden has committed to the University of Hawaii and Oishi was offered a preferred walk-on invite by San Diego State University. Oishi will report to camp in the summer of 2015 and will be evaluated for a scholarship before the start of fall camp.

With the offensive line paving the way, sophomore running back KJ Pascua and senior linebacker-convert Storm Lotomau have been able to see success touting the rock. The stocky, burly duo has combined for 1643 yards and 27 touchdowns heading into this week's title game. 

"In the beginning of the season we didn't have an identity. After the first couple of games coach came out and told us our identity is to run and pound the ball," explained Jim On. "As a quarterback, it's a little tough to see your throws get taken away I guess, but it's working great for us and they're doing a great job."

"It just so happened that KJ and Storm blossomed into a one-two punch at running back," added Look. "They complement each other real well. Just a real good fit in our offensive scheme. When you're able to run the ball, it makes life easer to call plays and execute." 

When the Raiders are not churning yards in the trenches, Iolani has a stable of pass catchers that Jim On can deliver the ball to. Those receivers include: Keoni-Kordell Makekau, Connor Ohira, Tamatane Aga, Conor Hannum and Tyler Teruya. Makekau is a 2013 All-Hawaii Division II first teamer, Aga is a converted running back and Hannum is a player that has gotten his opportunity by excelling on the scout team. Coach Look says Teruya is the guy that kind of holds the offense together. 

"Although he's probably the smallest guy out there, he's the guy that we need in there. He's kind of the glue that holds everything together. If someone doesn't know what to do, they ask Tyler. He knows everyone's assignments and he knows what everyone needs to do. He's like another quarterback." 

On the defensive side of the ball, the Raiders have leadership with OLB/SS Wyatt Maa and Quinton-Slade Matautia in the secondary. Look also says junior MLB Melvin Hoomanawanui has been having himself a great year.

Other key contributors on defense have been defensive backs Bradley Hayashi and Helam Baldomero and defensive linemen Skyy Passi, Christian Naeole and Matthew McArthur.

Now the only thing that stands in the way of the Raiders' eight crown is a Lahainaluna team that is hungry to atone for their championship loss two years ago.

"They're a very experienced team. Just watching them a little bit on film, they run their offense to precision. They're very sharp. They know what they're doing out there. They don't make mistakes. They look like they're playing with a lot of confidence. To top it off, they got some size and some athleticism. They're very disciplined and I know that they're very tough kids. We got our work cut out," said Look.

Kickoff between the Raiders and Lunas is slated for 4:30 p.m. at Hawaiian Airlines Field at Aloha Stadium.