Kamehameha-Hawaii linebacker Wilde Germano (10) leads the Warriors in the postgame handshake line. Michael Lasquero | SL

---

Kamehameha-Hawaii linebacker Wilde Germano (10) leads the Warriors in the postgame handshake line. Michael Lasquero | SL

---

KEAAU, Hawaii — The best way to defend a championship is in shutout fashion.

Kamehameha-Hawaii repeated as the Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division II champion with a 16-0 win over Hawaii Prep on a clear Friday night at Paiea Stadium.

The Warriors (10-3 overall, 9-0 BIIF D2) held Ka Makani to 117 yards of total offense and recorded three interceptions in the third meeting between the two teams this season.

Although the box score doesn't show it, HPA (6-3) was within striking distance late in the game until defensive back Joshua Luiz's 57-yard interception return with 2:54 left in regulation sealed the deal for KS-Hawaii, who tallied 11 tackles for loss.

That might do it. Joshua Luiz with a long interception return to the house to extend Kamehameha-Hawaii's lead, 16-0, over HPA with 2:54 left in regulation of the BIIF D2 title game. #DominateTheScene pic.twitter.com/lrPCamFb6Y

— Michael Lasquero (@SL_Mich) November 2, 2019

"That pick-six was kind of a stress reliever because we were battling back-and-forth all game and when Josh got that pick-six, that just gave us all the confidence and we just kept rolling after that," senior linebacker Wilde Germano said.

Germano, who had two tackles for loss, said the key on defense was to contain quarterback Umikoa Kealoha, who kept many plays alive with his athleticism.

"Going into this game, we knew that No. 10 (Kealoha) on HPA is baller, and if we kept him in the pocket and limited his big plays, we could shut them out."

The results speak for itself. Kealoha completed just 5 of 20 passes before getting moved to receiver. He also finished with just three yards rushing on 15 carries.

Sophomore running back Micah Mahiai was the workhorse for the Warriors' offense, which struggled with a number of dropped passes and was missing a pair of skill-position starters to injury.

He rushed for 108 yards on 16 carries and scored on a 5-yard run with 5:40 showing on the third-quarter scoreboard to give KS-Hawaii a 10-0 lead. Mahiai also had a 28-yard run to the HPA 5-yard line in the second quarter to set up a 23-yard boot by Elijah Dinkel.

"Micah Mahiai ran the ball like an animal," KS-Hawaii first-year coach Shaun Perry said of Mahiai, who started in place of injured senior Apu Alfiche (shoulder).

Micah Mahiai gets the first TD of the game with a 5-yard run to give Kamehameha-Hawaii a 10-0 lead over Hawaii Prep with 5:40 to play in the third quarter. pic.twitter.com/tU3XurwiFv

— Michael Lasquero (@SL_Mich) November 2, 2019

After completing an undefeated run through the BIIF D2 teams, KS-Hawaii will now turn its attention to the five-team state tournament, which gets underway on Nov. 16.

While the official brackets have not been released, Perry already has his sights on the next opponent.

"We got two weeks to prepare, Roosevelt is tough," said Perry, who is anticipating a first-round home game against the Rough Riders, the OIA D2 runner-up.

But until then, the Warriors can hold their heads high knowing they accomplished one of their goals.

"The feeling right now is I'm proud," said Mahiai. "I'm proud to be here, proud to be a part of this team. This team right here just pushes everyone to be better."