Kahuku RB/FB Toalei Lefau runs the ball up the field against the Farrington defense. Leighland Tagawa | SL

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KALIHI — Fifth-ranked Kahuku got back on track with a 34-8 win over No. 13 Farrington in an Oahu Interscholastic Association Open Division game at Edward 'Skippa' Diaz Stadium at Kusunoki Field on a rainy Friday night.

The Red Raiders snap a two-game losing streak to even out at 2-2 in the OIA standings, 5-3 overall. Kahuku hosts Kapolei on Friday, Oct. 19 to close out the regular season.

"A win is always a good thing. It felt good and it was great to see our players get excited," first-year Kahuku coach Sterling Carvalho said.

"We hope we can make a push and finish strong so we have momentum heading into the playoffs. All teams are looking for that but more so our team."

The Govs conclude the regular season with a four-game losing streak and fell to 1-4 in the OIA, 2-8 overall. Farrington will have to wait and see how things play out for the final playoff spot. 

"We're getting back on Monday and watch some film and we have to wait to see how things unfold," first-year Farrington coach Daniel Sanchez said.

The Govs struck first on the third play of the game as Chris Afe-Alaivanu hit Raymond Millare for an 80-yard touchdown. The snap was too high on the PAT attempt, but Wendell Alob ran it in for an 8-0 lead.

"The corner was pressing and we could get over the top and I told Chris to let it fly. He did and Raymond caught it and took it downfield," Sanchez said of the touchdown.

From there it was all Kahuku.

"We had to settle our nerves and get back to playing assignment football. Our defense settled in and completed the shutout," Carvalho said. "The defense is the strength of our team. We like to play off their momentum and intensity. Our offense kicked into gear."

Robbie Sauvao threw for 205 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions on 10-of-31 passing. Mason Paulo was Sauvao's favorite target and he caught five passes for 135 yards and a score.

"He's getting better every game. He's a basketball player by nature, so by being the man and being the quarterback, he's doing a good job," Carvalho said of Sauvao.

Zealand Matagi led all rushers with 71 yards on 20 carries.

"They (Farrington) stacked the box on us, yet we were able to move the ball. It shows our linemen coming off the ball, doing their assignment, and Zealand just running hard as well," Carvalho said.

The Red Raiders recovered a muffed punt on the Farrington 21, but turned it over on downs. The defense forced Farrington to punt and it took two plays to get on the scoreboard after Sauvao found Paulo, who had 112 receiving yards in the first half, for a 44-yard touchdown and Duke Heffernan booted the PAT to trail, 8-7.

Alan Talanoa recovered the fumble as it flew out of Selau Kalani's hands and Kahuku turned it into points as Sauvao threw his second touchdown to Toalei Lefau in a drive that took two plays for a 14-8 lead.

Kahuku used an 11-play drive with seven rushing attempts going to Zealand Matagi. On the drive, Sauvao completed a 30-yard pass to Paulo and a defensive holding penalty on the Govs resulted in Matagi's 19-yard run a play later as the 21-8 Red Raider lead held up until halftime.

Heffernan was 3 for 3 on PATs and made field goals from 23 and 29 yards out in the fourth quarter. The Red Raiders got a score on defense after Kai Noeau scooped up a lateral and returned it 13 yards for a touchdown.

Opeti Faha had three tackle for losses and a sack for the Govs. Millare had 181 all-purpose yards for the game.