Kaiser's Fitou Fisiiahi rushes the quarterback on a play against Lahainaluna. Brien Ing | SL

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Kaiser's Thomas Leong breaks free on a run against Lahainaluna. Brien Ing | SL

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Evan Asato | SL

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On Saturday at Hawaiian Airlines Field at Aloha Stadium, Kaiser can capture their first ever Division II state title in school history. The Cougars were 2-6 overall prior to Rich Miano's arrival. Under his guidance, the Cougar football program turned it around and last season they went 7-3 overall, but were upset in the Oahu Interscholastic Association White playoffs against Nanakuli. The loss fueled the Cougars to train harder in the offseason and to get better and it really showed in 2013.

This season, they ran through their competition in the Oahu Interscholatic Association White and claimed the White championship. After two impressive victories in the state tournament, they come into the Division II state championship game with a 12-1 overall record. Their only loss this season came against Campbell in their opening game and since then they have won 12 straight games.

"It has been a long process and in that Campbell game the defense played well, but our offense didn't really have an identity. Now we have a power running game that features two really good backs in Thomas (Buntenbah-Leong) and Fitou (Fisiiahi). We also have Canaan Saole and it's become a three-headed monster," said coach Rich Miano.

Kaua'i caught everyone's attention after they dismantled 'Iolani, 28-7. In a way, the Red Raiders mirror the Cougars with their ground game and also they have playmakers on offense and defense and it should set up an intriguing matchup.

"They believe and they are very confident," said Miano, on the Red Raiders. "They also play well in all three phases of the game and they showed they can travel well. They knocked off six-time defending champion 'Iolani and beat a strong Pearl City team. It doesn't matter the seeding and both teams proved that they are the last best two teams standing."

Despite being the number four seed in the Division II First Hawaiian Bank/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Football State Championships, the Cougars used it as motivation and they have a lot of momentum. In both of Kaiser's playoff games, they outscored their opponents, 79-15. In their opening round game against Konawaena, they demolished the Wildcats, 59-6. In the semifinals, they traveled to Wailuku to take on number one seed Lahainaluna and rallied in the second half to win, 20-9. 

Offensively, the Cougars have been using their running attack to wear down their opponents. As a team, they had 196 net rushing yards against Konawaena and 275 net rushing yards against a stout Lahainaluna defense. Thomas Buntenbah-Leong in the two games rushed for a 156 yards and one touchdown. Fitou Fisiiahi has 118 rushing yards in two games and scored three touchdowns. A breakout performer and new addition for the offense has been Canaan Saole, who had 10 carries for 84 yards against the Lunas.

Although Kaiser has playmakers that can run the ball, all of this wouldn't be possible without the offensive line. These are the guys that may not get all the glory, but they are so vital in Kaiser's offensive success. Joshua Pokraka, John Wendell Nisa, and Makena Kaneaiakala lead the offensive line. Coach Miano noted that Parker Higgins has been doing a great job as a lead blocker as a fullback in certain sets. Credit goes to line coaches Paul Kumashiro and Jimmy Higgins for getting this group of guys to play as a unit.

"It all starts up front and the game will be won on the line of scrimmage. Our offensive line has definitely come a long way," said Miano.

Quarterback Kahoalii Karratti hasn't put up eye-popping numbers in the state tournament, but he is still the general of the offense. Against Konawaena, he went 10-of-15 passing for 108 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Against the Lunas, the breezy conditions made it difficult to pass as he went 3-of-12 for 37 yards and an interception.

Defensively, the Cougars haven't given up much throughout the season. In both games they gave up 0 net rushing yards to Konawaena and 201 net rushing yards to Lahainaluna. Manese Palu and Zeno Choi lead the way on the defensive line and Choi had five tackles and a sack while Palu had five tackles against Lahainaluna. There are other playmakers on the Cougar defense and Canaan Saole led the team with 12 tackles against Lahainaluna and Makaio Hopeau-Lampitoc contributed seven tackles. Fitou Fisiiahi, who also plays on defense, had seven tackles and two sacks against the Lunas.

In their opening round game against Konawaena, the Kaiser secondary had a great game as they intercepted Brandon Howes four times. Jeshua Bitanga had two interceptions, Parker Higgins had one and Melvin Kahunanui had another one. Keenan Arroyo forced a fumble against the Lunas and had a fumble recovery against the Wildcats. Against Lahainaluna, Ocean Ku-au had a fumble recovery in Lunas territory.

Special teams are still a big part of Kaiser's game and big plays by Buntenbah-Leong ignite the team when he had a 77-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Lunas, which tied the game up at 7-7. Place kicker Matt Sai is still perfect on his extra points (10-for-10).

Miano, who is a Kaiser alum, has envisioned getting to this stage when he first took the head coach position two years ago.

"I've been to the playoffs in the NFL and bowl games at UH, but I'll always remember the 1979 Prep Bowl championship. I told the kids, if you win, this will be something you'll remember for the rest of your lives. I'm just really proud of how far the program has come and the support from the faculty, coaching staff and community," said Miano.