Back in 2005, Bronson Beatty was among the red-clad Kahuku cheering section shaking the Aloha Stadium stands as his brother celebrated a state championship.

His opportunity to soak in the experience on the field finally arrived on Friday.

Beatty was part of a Kahuku secondary that helped set the tone for the Red Raiders’ 30-24 victory over Punahou in the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Division I state championship game.

The old joke about defensive backs having bad hands didn’t apply to the Red Raiders on Friday, as three members of the secondary snared interceptions and another made a spectacular touchdown catch on offense.

Kahuku’s latest group of DBs —dubbed "The Sharks" — maintained the program’s tradition of producing defensive backs equal parts skilled and punishing. Along with producing takeaways, they boldly announced their presence with bruising play in the backfield and sure tackling in the open field.

"We say the receivers are the fishes and when we come on the field we just smell blood," Beatty said in explaining the nickname.

Beatty was 11 when his brother, B.J. Beatty, was an integral part of the Kahuku defense in the Red Raiders’ 2005 state title run. When his chance came around, he contributed one of Kahuku’s interceptions, broke up two passes and had a tackle for loss as the Red Raiders took a commanding lead then held off a Buffanblu rally late in the fourth quarter.

"My older brother won one and I was around for that and I always wanted to win one just like him," Beatty said. "We had to do this for everyone in our community."

Beatty and cornerback Evan Ramirez halted Punahou drives with interceptions in the first half as Kahuku held Punahou to 83 total yards. Mason Kualii-Moe, a nickelback, finished with four solo tackles and came down with a pick on Punahou’s first possession of the third quarter.

Versatile safety Kawehena Johnson was in on five tackles, recovered a fumble and had a 48-yard kickoff return.

"They did well, they’re returning from last year, so they’re veterans," Kahuku defensive coordinator Kimo Haiola said. "We worked on it from last year, they know how to play man, zone, simple stuff but they know how to attack it. Guys who’d throw against us play right into our hands."

With Kahuku up 17-0 in the second quarter, Beatty built on the momentum with an interception and a 25-yard return. The pick set up the Red Raiders offense for a five-play drive that ended with Mikeli Fiso, a cornerback doubling at wide receiver, making a diving catch in the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown.

"I was just thankful for the opportunity," said Fiso, who at first wasn’t sure he’d be able to run down the pass.

"Best feeling ever, state championship game, to score a touchdown."

Beatty, Fiso, Ramirez and Kualii-Moe closed their high school careers in the title game, while Johnson still has a year left.

While there will be some holes to fill next year, "we always reload," Haiola said.

"We’ve got the other kids in the making, but they weren’t quite ready enough to step in, but they’re in the back. … That’s what these guys did."