WAILUKU » Experience, precision and speed make the Lahainaluna Lunas masters of their universe.
That was clearly the case on Saturday in a 52-7 romp over Kamehameha-Hawaii before more than 5,000 fans at War Memorial Stadium. Seniors Makoa Filikitonga-Lukela and Jared Rocha-Islas followed their mobile offensive linemen for big gains out of the Lunas’ deception-oriented single-wing attack from the start.
The Lunas defense came up with four of its five interceptions in the first half.
"Coach (Bobby) Watson and our defensive staff did a really good job scouting what (KS-Hawaii) does really well," Lunas coach Garrett Tihada said. "When someone stops your best plays and intercepts passes, you doubt your ability to move the ball and score. That’s a bad place to be."
Rocha-Islas finished with 73 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries, all in the first half as No. 8-ranked Lahainaluna rolled to a 45-7 lead. Filikitonga-Lukela rushed for 75 yards and two TDs on just eight carries. He also threw for a 42-yard TD and returned an interception 65 yards for another score before intermission.
With the win, top-seeded Lahainaluna (10-0) advanced to the title game of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Division II State Championships. The Lunas, who have been close many a time without winning the crown, will face seven-time D-II state champion ‘Iolani on Friday at Aloha Stadium.
Saturday night’s contest was simply too much misdirection offensively for the visiting Warriors. When KS-Hawaii (8-3) had the ball, their potent passing attack wilted against a Lahainaluna defense with superior speed and non-stop pursuit.
The Lunas limited KS-Hawaii to 118 total yards. The Warriors rushed 28 times for 39 yards, and quarterback Micah Kanehailua was 10-for-27 for 79 yards with the five interceptions.
Lahainaluna finished with 382 total yards, including 277 on the ground (40 carries). Filikitonga-Lukela was 6-for-9 passing for 105 yards and one TD.
Rocha-Islas was especially excited. His injury during last year’s state semifinals against Kaiser was big turning point in the game. He’s been riddled with nagging injuries this season, but is healthy now.
"That was my motivation, my fire for this year. My team’s got my back, even when I’m not there for them," the 5-foot-9, 200-pound senior said. "We’re different this year. We can actually pass. Sione’s (Filikitonga-Lukela) been doing great."
At War Memorial Stadium
| KS-HAWAII (8-3) |
0 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
— |
7 |
| LAHAINALUNA (10-0) |
17 |
28 |
7 |
0 |
— |
52 |
LAH—Jared Rocha-Islas 5 run (Rocha-Islas kick)
LAH—Rocha Islas FG 26
LAH—Makoa Filikitonga-Lukela 14 run (Rocha-Islas kick)
LAH—Rocha-Islas 5 run (Rocha-Islas kick)
KSH—Kainalu Whitney 11 pass from Micah Kanehailua (Preston Kalai kick)
LAH—Josten Sariby 42 pass from Filikitonga-Lukela (Rocha-Islas kick)
LAH—Filikitonga-Lukela 65 interception return (Rocha-Islas kick)
LAH—Rocha-Islas 6 run (Rocha-Islas kick)
LAH—Filikitonga-Lukela 5 run (Rocha-Islas kick)
RUSHING—KSH: Kaeo Bacatan 8-29, team 1-(-19), Ahren Ah Chong 8-20, Chase Peneku 8-24, Kanehailua 3-(-15). LAH: Ryan Delatori 1-5, Rocha-Islas 11-73, David Kawabata 3-19, Filikitonga-Lukela 8-75, Tyran Puu Palea 1-21, Ansen Cabanilla 2-14, Sariby 1-7, Radon Sinenci 1-7, Donovan Defang 3-22, Kaya Phillips-Aki 3-2, J.D. Rosario 3-18, Christopher Kaniho 2-8, Justice Tihada 1-1.
PASSING—KSH: Kanehailua 10-27-5-79. LAH: Filikitonga-Lukela 6-9-0-105.
RECEIVING—KSH: Whitney 2-14, Grant Shiroma 2-35, Bayley Manliguis 4-29, Preston Kalai 1-1, Peneku 1-0. LAH: Isaiah Biga-Rogers 1-7, Rocha-Islas 2-47, Sariby 1-42, Defang 1-(-5), Cabanilla 1-14.
