Brian Bautista | SL

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For both Shaun Niu Jr. and Madden Soliai, one year's time has provided quite the contrasting perspective. 

The pair of defensive backs — Niu, a senior, and Soliai, a freshman — both played pivotal parts in No. 1 Kahuku's 35-0 win over No. 3 Mililani in Friday's OIA Open Division championship game. A year ago, however, each had a different point of view. 

Niu spent his junior year at Orem High in Utah, while Soliai was still in the eighth grade a year ago. Both, however, were close observers of the Red Raiders' run to a league title in 2021, including the come-from-behind 21-14 win over Mililani in the league final. 

"I was watching on TV," Niu recalled. "So when I came back I just had to carry on what the boys left last year."

Soliai's connection to the Kahuku team is familial, as his father, Sola, is a defensive assistant on the coaching staff. 

"My dad pushes me to be the best every day," Madden Soliai said. "He's hard on me, but I just know deep down that he loves me, but whenever I work it just gives me confidence that I'm on a whole different level than anyone in this state."

Madden Soliai was on another level with his special teams play Saturday night. The 5-foot-10, 160-pound ninth-grader came up with two huge punt blocks that eventually led to Kahuku touchdowns. Soliai credited the late Kahuku assistant Matt Faga for instilling in him a fearless mindset that has enabled him to meet challenges head-on. 

"Rest In Peace, coach Matt. His favorite saying was ‘never scared' and that just sticks with me: Never scared. I'm never scared to put my body on the line each and every day on the field. I'm ready to give it all up on one play, so I try not to be scared or anything and I'm just grateful to play this game. Whenever I got for a punt block, that saying in my head from coach Matt, you know, never scared," Soliai said. 

Soliai's first blocked punt came late in the third quarter and was recycled by the Red Raiders into a 3-yard touchdown run by Vaaimalae Fonoti. A few minutes later, Soliai recorded his second blocked punt and just three plays later, Waika Crawford threw a 15-yard TD pass to Kache Kaio that stretched the Kahuku lead to 28-0 about four minutes into the fourth quarter. 

Soliai finished off his prolific evening with an interception while on defense in the closing minutes. After the game's conclusion, Soliai reflected upon the Red Raiders' road to an OIA title this fall. 

"It's a dream come true, you know? I've been dreaming about this ever since I was a little kid," Soliai said. "I was the water boy for these guys their JV, ninth grade year and it's just cool to be out here with them for their senior year being the only freshman; how the times have changed."

Kahuku's defense registered three picks off of Mililani quarterback Emana Tarape, who started in place of the injured Kini McMillan. Niu came up with the first interception a few minutes into the second quarter. The very next play resulted in a 19-yard TD run by Crawford to open the scoring and give the Red Raiders a 7-0 lead with nine minutes and 30 seconds left until halftime. 

Niu, like Soliai, was appreciative of the opportunity to represent his home school and aid Big Red to a 29th league crown. 

"Man, to come home and be a part of this, it was great. It just feels great to be home," Niu said. 

Soliai, Niu and the Red Raiders (10-2) drew the top seed for the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Open Division State Championships. They will play No. 4 Campbell in a 4 p.m. semifinal on Friday, Nov. 18 at Mililani's John Kauinana Stadium.