Kapolei holds off Mililani, Kahuku erases early deficit against Campbell to set-up OIA Open final

Kahuku defensive back Taimua Pule (19) celebrates in the end zone after returning an interception for a touchdown in the third quarter against Campbell in the OIA Open Division semifinals at Mililani’s John Kauinana Stadium. CJ Caraang | SL

Kapolei will try for its first Oahu Interscholastic Association championship in football when it takes on perennial powerhouse Kahuku next Saturday for the league's Open Division crown.

The Hurricanes and Red Raiders secured their spots in the title game Friday night with wins over Mililani and Campbell, respectively, in a semifinal doubleheader at John Kauinana Stadium.

Kapolei, the No. 4 team in the ScoringLive Power Rankings, avenged a regular-season loss to the Trojans with a 21-14 victory in the nightcap behind 201 rushing yards, including a career-best 148 from running back Chazz-Michael Kapahu.

Kapahu carried 23 times and averaged 6.4 yards per rush to pace the 'Canes punishing ground attack. He found the end zone with a 1-yard touchdown run that capped a nine-play, 65-yard drive and gave his team a two-touchdown advantage a few minutes into the second quarter. Kapahu also picked up a crucial first down in the closing minutes of the contest, when he broke free for an 18-yard gain to move the chains on third-and-10.

Kapolei was able to run out the final 1:37 of the clock to lock up its first win over Mililani since Sept. 5, 2016.

Zeph Salis opened the scoring with his 27-yard TD run with 3:38 left in the third quarter and Valoia Amitoelau put the Hurricanes ahead for good with an 11-yard TD run with 8:17 to play.

Kapolei led 14-0 at halftime, but Mililani got on the board with a 49-yard TD run by Jarius Borges with 3:26 left in the third quarter.

The Trojans tied it a few minutes into the fourth quarter on Dallas Carter's 12-yard TD pass to Luke VanAntwerp.

Toa Leffler recorded two of Kapolei's three interceptions on defense.

Mililani had won its last 10 meetings against the 'Canes, including a 35-24 decision just 13 days prior.

Kapolei improved to 7-4, while Mililani fell to 7-3.

In the matinee matchup Friday afternoon, top-ranked Kahuku rallied from an early deficit to a 24-6 win over No. 6 Campbell.

Quarterback Troy Mariteragi threw a pair of touchdown passes — one in each half — and Taimua Pule led the defensive effort for the Red Raiders with his 40-yard interception return for touchdown early in the second half.

Mariteragi connected with Christian Sanford-Tupuola for a 79-yard TD pass that tied the score at 6 with 10 seconds left in the first quarter. Jadyn Parker knocked through the ensuing extra point to give Kahuku the lead for good.

Parker converted a 52-yard field goal 18 seconds into the fourth quarter that made it a 17-6 advantage for the Red Raiders. They closed out the scoring with Mariteragi's 11-yard scoring strike to Rhino Aumua with 4:58 to play.

The Sabers took a brief 6-0 lead after Brayden Medeiros found Shaison Kupukaa for a 20-yard TD pass with 1:07 on the clock in the first quarter, but saw the Red Raiders scored 24 unanswered points the rest of the way.

Kahuku improved to 7-3, while Campbell dropped to 6-3.

The Red Raiders will be trying for their second straight OIA championship and their fifth in six seasons. They have claimed a league-record 30 titles since 1943.

Kahuku and Kapolei will face off on Nov. 8, 7 p.m. at Farrington's Kusunoki Field at Edward 'Skippa' Diaz Stadium.

Mililani and Campbell will meet in the third-place game for the OIA's final spot in the four-team Open Division state tournament.