Punahou defensive players celebrate after a game-sealing interception. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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HALAWA -- You've heard many times in the game of football, "defense wins championships." It sounds cliche, but it rang true once again.

The Punahou Buffanblu intercepted Mililani quarterback McKenzie Milton twice en route to their second state championship in five years. Punahou also forced the Trojans to turn it over on downs four times in the First Hawaiian Bank/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division I State Football Championship title game.

"Our defense is just outstanding," exclaimed senior Buffanblu safety Joseph Augafa. "They got the biggest heart ever. They just came out firing with guns blazing."

Punahou got on the board early in the first thanks to an interception by Buffanblu outside linebacker Ronley Lakalaka. The 6-foot, 210-lb junior read the play perfectly and was able to jump the route for the first turnover of the game.

"I knew it right from the get go," explained Lakalaka. I messed up the first time, so when I knew that they were going to do the same thing, I just came under that route and took that opportunity."

Lakalaka's interception went for 12 yards and to give the Buffanblu offense the ball at the Mililani 45-yard line. Six plays later Punahou quarterback Larry "Tui" Tuileta was able to complete a wheel route pass to slot receiver Trent Sitar for a 13-yard touchdown pass.

Defense was also instrumental in the Buffanblu's second scoring drive. Mililani drove all the way from their 12-yard line before stalling around the Punahou 41-yard line. In the area of the field where a field goal was too long and a punt too short, the Trojans elected to go for it on fourth-and-one. Mililani gave the ball to state leading rusher Vavae Malepeai, but Lakalaka and outside linebacker Saitui Moea'i combined for the stop, giving Punahou the ball at his or her own 43-yard line. Three plays later Tuileta found receiver Kanawai Noa in the end zone to put the Buffanblu up by three scores.

"It was just outstanding," said Lakalaka about the defensive performance. "It was just doing your job and making plays for each other."

Mililani could not get anything going in their next two drives, going three-and-out on back-to-back drives. The Trojans elected to go for it on fourth down on the latter drive, but came up short again. The fake punt came up short with linebacker Kalama Chung stopping receiver Ryan Reedy one yard short of the first down.

This ultimately set up the Buffanblu's third touchdown of the game, on a Tuileta and Dakota Torres connection. Punahou led 21-0 with 1:19 remaining in the first half. Mililani rallied late in the game on a couple of gadget plays, but the early deficit proved costly for the Trojans.

However, the state championship game did have its fair sure of late game drama. On a critical fourth down that could ice the game, Tuileta committed a costly mistake. Cornerback Jayson Cardines intercepted Tuileta's pass setting up a Kainoa Wilson to Bronson Ramos touchdown to cut the deficit to a one score game.

Punahou also tried to go for it on fourth down on their ensuing drive, but Mililani stuffed the Kotoni Sekona run. For a moment, it seemed like Mililani was going to flip the script on their early turnover woes.

Mililani had two minutes and 54 yards to go for the game winning score, but the defense came held strong. Augafa intercepted a Milton heave on fourth down and Punahou was able to run out the clock for the win.

"A lot of feelings after I caught that pass," said Augafa on the interception. "A lot of great feelings and emotions after that (interception) because that was the one stop that sealed the game."

It was a sigh of relieve after the last Mililani turnover, as the Buffanblu was able to finally to claim the state title after losing in the final the previous two years. Despite the shortcomings in the last two years, the Buffanblu remained close together throughout the season and were able to get that elusive title in their third go around.

"It's super big," said Augafa after the win. " We fell short the last couple of years, but third time is the charm. We had this idea that we're going to go together as a team, going to finish as a team. We stressed that throughout the whole season, basically finishing."

"I was excited (for this year)," added Lakakala. "I knew we were going to have a great team this year. Having that in mind kept us chasing for the championship."