The Kahuku Red Raiders and their legion of fans returned home from Halawa in a caravan of celebration, a bumper-to-bumper ride of honking horns up the H-3 and Kamehameha Highway at 15 mph.

"We got back at almost 1 o’clock," Kahuku coach Reggie Torres said of the late night after a 30-24 win over Punahou in the Division I final of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Football State Championships.

Five years had passed since Kahuku’s last title, and the North Shore responded with a frenzy.

"They came out last night. They had music for the kids. The community came out to the school. The kids were excited and they were tired," Torres said.

Unlike anything else they’d shown on the field in recent weeks, the boys from the North Shore did new things. It took an opponent like Punahou to get the team in red to step out of its comfort zone.

The offensive line ran stretch play after stretch play, opening gaps on the perimeter for running back Aofaga Wily. Guard John Waa was among the active blockers, followed on the perimeter by fullback Sterling Moe as they paved the way for Wily.

"It’s what they gave us," Torres said. "Faga’s running a lot better now, so with his play, it’s a perfect play for him. Our line trains non-stop for 20, 30 minutes in preparation for long drives, a minimum of 14- to 16-play drives at practice, just to prepare them for nights like this."

The ground game was on fire, churning out 226 yards — the most surrendered by a stout Punahou defense all year.

"We had a purpose and we succeeded at the end. I’ve got to thank our O-line," said Wily, who finished with 180 yards on 27 carries. "If it wasn’t for them, I’d be really bust up. We had to take advantage of their ends. We found their weaknesses, and that was the stretch. They just run up. We have a heck of good linemen."

Punahou had to make a decision. A season of facing quick-striking teams in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu wasn’t quite the same as dealing with the Oahu Interscholastic Association champions. Punahou brought an extra defender in tight.

When a safety creeped into the box, Kahuku struck with force, aerial force. Fullback Mahonilai Fakatou played out a fake handoff, then ran a route straight up the field.

Quarterback Lasi Livai had no trouble delivering, and a 23-yard touchdown pass on a route no foe had seen all season helped Kahuku grow the lead.

Kahuku’s defense came up with five turnovers and limited Punahou to 242 total yards. Three takeaways were picks by the self-titled "Sharks" secondary: Mason Kualii-Moe, Evan Ramirez and Bronson Beatty.

After building a 24-point lead, Kahuku withstood a furious rally by the ILH champions.

"Our hats off to Punahou. We’re all representing Hawaii football," defensive tackle Mark Sauvao said. "Before the game, coach (defensive coordinator Kimo Haiola) said, ‘No matter what happens, don’t let go. Hold on. Every time we’re feeling down, remind each other to never give up, to keep pushing.’ "

Punahou’s resilience made this a game that may rank as one of the best in state title and Prep Bowl history. There was no easy way, not against a sound Kahuku defense that tackled soundly and rarely found the need to gamble and blitz. Down 24-10 in the final quarter, the Buffanblu went to Malik Johnson, one of their go-to playmakers, and another senior, running back Steven Lakalaka.

The running back’s gifts were on display in the clutch with two fourth-down, fourth-quarter touchdown catches.

The first — a 24-yarder that cut Kahuku’s lead to 24-17 — was strictly leaping ability on an alley-oop toss against Kahuku’s lockdown cornerback, Ramirez. The second — a 6-yarder that helped close it 30-24 — was a matter of will as he was hit hard at around the 4, withstood the contact and muscled into the end zone over two Red Raiders.

For Lakalaka, who has several friends on Kahuku’s squad, there was no other way than to make a comeback.

"I had the jitters," said Lakalaka’s cousin, Kualii-Moe.

"He won," Lakalaka said of his cousin. "I congratulate him."

For Torres, it was the first state title since his first year as head coach in 2006. After last year’s horrid close, a postseason ban by the OIA due to an eligibility issue, this fall got no easier. He was suspended by principal Donna Lindsey for nearly half the regular season after a disciplinary incident during the junior varsity team’s preseason camp.

"It started tough, but it finished up nice," he said.

"I just feel relieved right now," said wide receiver/defensive back Mekeli Fiso, who made a diving touchdown grab. "For the brothers I had last year, this is for them."

Thousands of Red Raiders fans who made the trek to Halawa brought the noise and intensity that is rarely seen at the stadium. The community had actually practiced cheers during the week.

Championship night was almost surreal. Even Torres had been cautious about the pregame buildup.

"We can’t get caught in the hype. If we get too emotional, we make more mistakes. That won’t be easy," he said.

It certainly wasn’t. But a new champion has been crowned, and the new throne is red. Big Red.