OIA Football
Kahuku plows through Farrington for 25th OIA crown


   



Fri, Oct 28, 2016 @ Aloha Stadium [ 7:30 pm ]


Final 1 2 3 4 T
Farrington (8-4-0) 6 2 0 08
Kahuku (11-2-0) 17 14 6 744
Sol-Jay Maiava 128 yd 2 TD
Elvis Vakapuna 158 yd 1 TD
Challen Faamatau 52 yd 1 TD

HALAWA — Make it two Oahu Interscholastic Association championships coming home to the North Shore.

Sol-Jay Maiava accounted for four total touchdowns in the first half to help top-ranked Kahuku dominate Farrington, 44-8 to claim their 25th overall OIA title on Friday night at Hawaiian Tel FCU Field at Aloha Stadium.

"Hats off to our players, we're still looking for a complete game and we'll look at the tape to get better. We'll take advantage of the bye week," said Kahuku coach Vavae Tata.

The Red Raiders (10-1 overall) are now 4-0 all-time against the Govs (8-3 overall) in the OIA title game.

Freshman quarterback Sol-Jay Maiava accounted for 164 yards from scrimmage with two rushing and two passing touchdowns in the first half. He finished with 128 yards on 6-of-10 passing and rushed for 78 yards on six attempts.

"He's versatile and he can beat you with his legs," said Tata.

The Red Raiders rushed for 15 first downs and 291 of their 419 yards of net offense was on the ground.

"You have to give credit to them—offense, defense and special teams. It wasn't anything complex, they ran right at us and we had a hard time stopping them. We have to play against the run better," said Farrington coach Randall Okimoto.

The game ended on a somber note as Alaivanu-Afe was hurt on a crack back block following an interception by Naa Toaraa. Alaivanu-Afe received medical attention from both training staffs and with 5:07 left on the clock in the fourth quarter, coach Okimoto decided to call the game. Alaivanu-Afe was taken off the field in an ambulance. 

"You never want to see a game end like this. My condolences to the players and parents," said Tata.

"I think he's going to be alright. It's precautionary and he said he had pain in his back, they make the diagnosis at the hospital. It was my decision to call it and the game was out of reach. We want to get to the state tournament without anyone else getting hurt. I know their guys were getting hurt and some of their guys were going down," said Okimoto.

Maiava rushed for an 11-yard score on an option keeper and Stokes Nihipali-Botelho added a 35-yard field goal to make it, 10-0.

Kekaula Kaniho's interception was called back due to a pass interference penalty. The penalty gave the Govs new life as Challen Faamatau took the direct snap and rushed for a 9-yard score, but Umaga missed the PAT to trail, 10-6. Faamatau had 152 all-purpose yards for the game.

Maiava scored on his second option keeper, this time from 65 yards out to put the Red Raiders up, 17-6 after the first quarter.

"I made the right read on the D-end and the o-line blocked perfectly and I saw the open field and took it," said Maiava.

Maiava's 8-yard touchdown to Pua Falemalu capped a 12 play, 80 yard drive. Following a Farrington punt, four plays later, Maiava threw a 52-yard strike to Royce Pao to make it, 31-6.

"The running game opened up the pass a lot. The play action caught the defense off guard," said Maiava.

Farrington had an opportunity to score, but came up empty handed. Mosi Alaivanu-Afe dropped the pass from Rapoza for a would-be score and Rapoza fumbled the ball to turn it over on downs. The Govs added a safety after the snap on a punt attempt went into the end zone.

Rapoza and Uahinui combined for 128 passing yards and each threw an interception.

Kaniho picked off Uahinui and returned it 40 yards for the score, but Sekope Latu missed the PAT to make it, 37-8.

Elvis Vakapuna rushed for 159 yards on 15 attempts and added a 5-yard score with 10:58 left in the fourth quarter to initiate running clock due to the 35-point differential.

"I couldn't do anything without the o-line," said Vakapuna.

Kahuku's defense stepped up to register 11 tackle-for-losses, three sacks and held the Govs to a season-low 38 net rushing yards.

"They gave us good field position and helped us a lot on our scoring," said Vakapuna.



Reach Brandon Ching at [email protected].




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