The Wildcats celebrate after a first half touchdown against Waipahu. CJ Caraang | SL

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The Wildcats celebrate after a first half touchdown against Waipahu. CJ Caraang | SL

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KEALAKEKUA, Hawaii — When the clock hit triple zeros at Julian R. Yates Field Friday night, Konawaena coach Brad Uemoto was in tears.

After the wild contest against visiting Waipahu that evening, no one could blame him.

In a game that featured almost anything possible, it was the Wildcats who made history that night. 

Konawaena will play in its first-ever state title game after outlasting Waipahu in a 53-50 thriller in the semifinals of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Division II football state tournament.

The Wildcats (9-2), ranked fifth in the ScoringLive/Hawaiian Electric D2 Power Rankings, will meet defending state champ and top-ranked Lahainaluna in the title game on Nov. 18 at Hawaiian Tel FCU Field at Aloha Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m.

Uemoto's team also gets the honor of being the first-ever team to represent the Big Island Interscholastic Federation in the championship game.

"This win right here is the first in Big Island history," said Uemoto, whose team fell short in the semifinals to the eventual state champ the past two years. "We did this for our island and we did this for our community. We're going to celebrate this, but we want a state title."

Konawaena defensive lineman Tevin Canda recovers the game-sealing fumble against Waipahu. CJ Caraang | SL