John Lujan | SL

Purchase image 1 of 1

MILILANI — Jonathon Nunes rushed for the game-winning score and Waianae (9-1 overall) came up with a goal-line stand to beat Kahuku, 22-20 in overtime to claim the Oahu Interscholastic Association Junior Varsity championship at Mililani's John Kauinana Stadium.

"Last year we lost badly and we used that motivation to come back and take back what was ours to the Westside," said Nunes.

"It always feels great, especially when you're the underdog and come out with the victory," said Zeffton Thompson-Avilla.

The Seariders' only loss came to the Red Raiders, 34-13, earlier on Aug. 26, but tonight, Waianae got redemption to hand Kahuku (9-1 overall) their first loss of the season.

"It was an electrifying atmosphere. It was a battle from start to finish and we had to follow through," said Nunes, who also had an interception.

"It feels great, the way we won, I couldn't ask for anything better," said Waianae JV coach Joe Abell.

Waianae got the ball first in overtime and rushed behind Deven Ferreira and Kaai Tambaoan-Kaeo. On a fourth-and-goal, Nunes rushed for a 4-yard score. A penalty was called on PAT attempt against the Red Raiders and Nunes rushed for the 2-point conversion to go up, 22-20.

Kahuku received the ball and Waianae was flagged for illegal substitution. Tevita Falatea rushed for an 11 yard gain and Kenai Liua added his second rushing touchdown from 4 yards out. Waianae stuffed Falatea at the goal line to preserve the victory.

"We had to dig deep and we came through," said Thompson-Avilla.

"You know that old cliche, ‘defense wins championships' and that's what they did. They stuck a hard wall there and made sure they stayed there," said Abell.

Zeffton Thompson-Avilla rushed for a 3-yard touchdown for the first score. Liua rushed for a 2-yard TD after fumble recovery by Aaron Fonoimoana-Vaomu to tie the game at 7.

Thompson-Avilla rushed for his second touchdown to finish a 12 play 61-yard drive with 1:27 left in the second quarter. He had 13 rushing yards on six attempts.

"When everyone does their assignments, we can get plays done. Without all 11 people working together, nothing can get done," said Thompson-Avilla.

"What a leader he is. He came a long way from being an inexperienced player to now, he's one of our strongest leaders," said Abell, on Thompson-Avilla.

The Seariders out rushed the Red Raiders with 224 net rushing yards, Tambaoan-Kaeo had a team-high 116 rushing yards.

The Red Raiders got the ball on the Waianae 49. Noah Uluave's 15-yard gain set up Falatea's 18 yard touchdown to tie the game at 14.

Kahuku quarterback Thornton Alapa was knocked out of the game in the second quarter after a run. He finished the game with 31 yards on 7-of-10 passing and an interception.

Kalena Sione recovered the fumble for the Seariders with 1:27 remaining in the fourth. Waianae lost 17 yards on a bad snap, but got a big break when Peter-John Mataira's interception was nullified after Kahuku was flagged for roughing the passer. With 12.3 seconds left, Kenneth Joseph, Jr.'s 30-yard field goal attempt was blocked to send the game into overtime.