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KEAAU - Kaimuki kept giving gifts - five turnovers in all - but Kamehameha, despite leaving its heart on the football field, couldn't muster enough against an opponent that didn't give an inch.

Still, the Division II state tournament first-round game came down to the last play, with a chance for the Warriors to triumph, on a gloomy Friday night before 1,500 rain-soaked fans at Pai'ea stadium.

Here was the situation: Kamehameha needing a touchdown to win, two seconds on the clock, ball on Kaimuki's 47-yard line on fourth-and-11. The crowd on its feet and screaming as quarterback Warner Shaw went under center looking to throw a Hail Mary pass.

After avoiding the teeth of three Bulldogs, Shaw's pocket collapsed and his pass was 10 yards short of the end zone and fell to the green, soggy artificial turf surrounded by three more defenders.

The miracle went unanswered: Kaimuki 14, Kamehameha 9; the season over for a Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion that literally played until the last second.

"We had our opportunities," Kamehameha coach Dave Baldwin said. "Those five turnovers aside, for the first time this season we couldn't capitalize. When we win the turnover battle, we usually capitalize.

"The game came down to the last play, something we can hold our head high about. We had a chance to win it until the end. But give credit to Kaimuki. They were the better team and toughened up with all those turnovers."

In the first half, Kamehameha forced three Kaimuki turnovers, but mustered only three points on a 31-yard field goal by DJ Grant-Johnson, who missed wide left on a 41-yarder with two seconds before halftime.

On the Oahu Interscholastic Association White champ's first series, running back Chester Sua fumbled. Colby Cabatu recovered and the ball went a yard on three plays before Grant-Johnson's field goal.

Then Kaimuki quarterback Nahoa Spencer threw an interception to Reyn Clarke on the next possession. But the Warriors went three-and-out, an early sign that the game would feature defense and field position.

Enter the second quarter and the Bulldogs set up shop near midfield after a Warrior punt and got better field position after a 15-yard personal foul on home team.

Four plays later, Sua scored on a 3-yard run, putting the Bulldogs ahead 7-3, a lead they wouldn't relinquish and one that felt much bigger with Kamehameha's early offensive futility.

The Warriors gained just 31 yards in the first half, including a 16 rushing yards on 13 carries, which stuck them in a ton of third-and-long holes.

Late in the second quarter, Kaimuki fumbled a punt and the Warriors recovered but could not turn that third turnover into anything productive. At least a good punt by Tavon Pegues pinned the Bulldogs at their 13.

In the third quarter, Kaimuki went to its Big Dog set - an inverted wishbone with two fullbacks in front of Sua - and started to push those in a blue uniform backward for positive yards.

The Bulldogs were held to 65 yards in the first half, just 42 on the ground. Sua was limited to 37 yards on nine carries, rushing from the I-formation.

The second half was a different story.

Sua rampaged for 80 yards on 13 carries with Big Dog fullbacks Manu Moala (6-feet-2, 270 pounds) and Kaulana Moefu (5-10, 260) clearing space. Sua finished with 117 yards on 22 attempts.

However, before Kaimuki ran it first stumbled again with another turnover, losing a fumble to open the third quarter. But again Kamehameha did nothing and punted.

Then after the Kamehameha quarterback opened the fourth quarter throwing an interception, Shaw came in looking to provide a spark. He did but first a special team's gaffe set up a Kaimuki touchdown.

A low punt snap forced Pegues to catch the ball with his knees on the ground, effectively grounding the ball in Kamehameha territory at the 45.

The Bulldogs said, "Thanks for the gift," and scored four plays later on Sua's 5-yard jaunt over a huge hole between his center and right guard, making it 14-3 with 5:23 remaining in the game.

On Kamehameha's first play, Shaw, who completed 7-of-15 for 126 yards, jolted the fans in blue to their feet when he thread a pass between two defenders to Pegues, who did the rest - ripping to the end zone for a 66-yard scoring strike.

The Warriors faked a PAT kick with Thompson's 2-point pass attempt to Aukai Akau incomplete. The left them down 14-9, with 5:10 to play.

On Kaimuki's next series, Sua fell a yard short on third-and-5 run near midfield, which led to a 9-yard punt - another gift that was returned with a Kamehameha's second turnover.

Sua, a highly touted runner and linebacker, intercepted a Shaw pass after a teammate, Justice Sarcedo-Deloney tipped the ball.

However, the Bulldogs went three-and-out and punted again; this time longer from the their 30 to Kamehameha's 42-yard line, setting up the thrilling and heart-breaking finish for the visitors and hosts, respectively.