This much is certain about Jordan Lee — the guy knows how to finish.
For the second straight year, the ‘Iolani running back/slotback closed the season with a productive performance in the state final to help the Raiders extend their run of Division II titles.
In his final high school game, Lee sparked the ‘Iolani offense by rushing for 177 yards in Friday’s 34-0 win over Waipahu in the Division II championship game of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Football State Championships at Aloha Stadium.
"Coach (Wendell Look) told us we should really seize this moment," Lee said after the Raiders claimed the program’s fifth straight Division II championship. "I was fortunate to have this opportunity last year too, so I’m just really grateful."
In the past two state finals, Lee averaged 9.5 yards on his 27 carries while scoring 22 total points.
He ran for 71 yards and a touchdown and kicked seven extra points in last year’s win over Kaimuki.
On Friday, he added three more PATs and two field goals while also posting six runs for double-digit yardage, with a long of 38 yards in the third quarter.
"I’m grateful coach has the trust in me to execute," said Lee, who also took some snaps at quarterback in a wildcat set in the fourth quarter. "It’s fun being on the field all the time, contributing to my team in different roles."
Lee helped the Raiders return to the state final by running for 135 yards in ‘Iolani’s comeback victory over Kapaa a week ago in the semifinals, and Friday’s game marked his farewell to football.
Soccer is the sport of his future and he said he has committed to West Point.
"I’m really excited," he said. "That’s a great opportunity and I’m looking at the big picture, and after college serving my country and hopefully doing something great."
Lee split time in the backfield with junior Kody Mento, who ran for 85 yards and three touchdowns on Friday.
In all, the Raiders averaged 6.3 yards in 45 rushing attempts behind an offensive line averaging 204 pounds per man.
The Raiders’ offensive front returned four seniors this season —tackles Micah Freitas-Garrido and Dave Miyamoto and guards Matthew Noguchi and Austin Gima — with 5-foot-9, 180-pound sophomore Spencer Kiehm at center.
"They did great. I always thank them because without them I couldn’t do it," Mento said. "They’re undersized, but they just push and they get it done."
The Raiders matured through a tough preseason that included matchups with physically imposing opponents in Farrington and Waianae.
Those lessons helped carry them through the ILH season and on to another state championship.
"We’ve grown so much since then," Miyamoto said. "We’ve gone through defeats, we learned from it, learned to get better and came together as a team."