HANAPEPE, Kauai — Why pass when you can just run?

Sophomore running back Kaikea Miyashiro ran for 210 yards and three touchdowns as Waimea edged Roosevelt, 27-26, Saturday afternoon at Hanapepe Ballpark in the semifinals of the Division II First Hawaiian Bank HHSAA Football Championships, presented by Hawaii Army National Guard.

The Menehune (4-5) advances to their third state title game in four years where they will meet reigning state champion Kamehameha-Maui on Nov. 28 at Mililani's John Kauinana Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 4:00 p.m.

"It feels really good," said Miyashiro, who carried the ball 17 times. "This is my first time going to the states with this team. I think we deserve it. We been putting in really hard work at practice."

Waimea did not attempt a single passing play in its semifinal win, gaining all 286 yards of total offense on the ground.

The execution on the run game was evident on the first play from scrimmage when Miyashiro blasted up the gut for a 61-yard TD.

"It was honestly the O-line, they made that big hole for me. It was probably like 10 yard big," said Miyashiro.

"I give full credit to the O-line. They've been working harder than most of us and they've been staying after practice to get better."

The Rough Riders (11-2), who were riding a 10-game winning streak, responded with a 13-play, 65-yard drive that ended with Kaeo Bush's 1-yard TD run to make it a 7-7 game midway through the first quarter.

Roosevelt looked prime to take the lead late in the opening period after driving near the red zone, but a fumble in Menehune territory was recovered by Waimea's Kainoa Kinney to prevent any Rough Riders points.

The Menehune loss yards on every play of their next possession, but another turnover by Roosevelt in Waimea territory helped set up Waimea's next scoring drive thanks to Kepa Pablo's sideline interception.

On third-and-1, Miyashiro got loose around the left side for another 61-yard scoring run to give Waimea a 14-7 lead at the 8:35 mark of the second quarter.

Disaster struck the Rough Riders again on the ensuing series when Bush was intercepted by Kanai Huihui-Caberto. The Menehune recycled the turnover into a 9-play, 61-yard drive that ended in Kolby Correa's 5-yard TD run with 18 seconds left in the first half.

"Our defense, they have always been solid and they always hold us down and save our games," Miyashiro said.

Waimea would score its final points of the game on the first play of the second half with MIyashiro scoring from one yard out for a 27-7 lead with 7:02 to play in the third quarter.

Roosevelt would rally however with a pair of Victor Silva TD receptions and a scoring run by Cameron Jackson.

With momentum on their side, the Rough Riders elected to go for a 2-point conversion down 27-26 with two minutes remaining and no timeouts left. But Waimea sent the house on the play, resulting in Bush having to travel backwards in order to get a pass off that was ultimately batted down by Kalawaia Martins.

"Bring the house and tighten your coverage and let it roll," Waimea coach Kyle Linoz said of the plan for the 2-point conversion defense. "That's exactly what I told them in the huddle. One play, no tomorrow, and thankfully it went our way."