Kaiser quarterback Lii Karratti lets a pass attempt fly against Konawaena. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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111013_KaiKona_0396.jpg - Greg Yamamoto | SL

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HAWAI'I KAI - Kaiser's first victory of its school's history in the First Hawaiian Bank Division II state football tournament came with mixed emotions for Cougars' senior quarterback Kahoali'i Karratti.

Karratti was a modest 10 of 15 passing for 108 yards and two touchdowns with one interception in leading Kaiser to a 59-6 rout of his former team in Saturday night's quarterfinal at blustery Kaiser stadium. He had guided the Wildcats to back-to-back Big Island Interscholastic Federation titles and to state tournament appearances as a sophomore and junior. Then he transferred to Kaiser.

"It's kind of weird and pretty sad," Karratti said after post-game handshakes with his former teammates. "I love my (former) team. I played there all my years, but coming here, I guess, I have to do what I have to do. It was sad."

Sad?

"I mean, I beat them, ending my friends' high school season," he said. "I know all of them really well, so I'm pretty sad."

Karratti said he transferred because he felt it would increase his chances of being recruited for college.

"The team (Kaiser) was building up and we thought we could win a state championship," he added.

There appeared to be no animosity from the Kona players toward Karratti. He was seen posing for pictures with his former teammates. He had known a number of player from when they played in youth leagues.

"They were very respectful," Karratti said. "They helped me up (after being tackled). No one said anything (negative)."

Among the players he posed for pictures with was senior Jordan Miyahira-Young. Ironically, he intercepted Karratti early in the game.

"I understand why he left," Miyahira-Young said. "I think it's good for him."

Miyahira-Young said he could not believe when the announcement came that the Wildcats would play the Cougars.

"I thought, 'Did this happen? Is this a dream,'" Miyahira-Young said. "At first, I couldn't believe it. I texted him and he couldn't believe it either. So it was just a lucky shot that we got to see each other in the state playoffs."

Konawaena coach Cliff Walters concurred that there was no animosity, mainly because the concern was for some other weapons the Cougars had in fullback/defensive lineman Fitou Fisiiahi and running back/defensive back Thomas Buntenbah-Leong. The duo combined for 157 all-purpose yards and a touchdown a piece.

"We had to worry about 6 (Fisiiahi) and 4 (Buntenbah-Leong)," Walters said. "Those two guys…We were able to stop the pass until 6 and 4 got loose."

Kaiser will face its most formidable test of the season when it travels to Maui to take on top-seeded Lahainaluna, the Maui Interscholastic League Division II champions. The MIL plays an integrated schedule and the Lunas beat Baldwin and Maui each twice.

"We're pretty confident," Karratti said. "Lahaina's good, too, but we've been bringing it so hopefully we keep on a roll and keep going."