Brien Ing | SL

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Brien Ing | SL

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LAHAINA, Maui—No. 11 Aiea smothered No. 8 Lahainaluna, 30-10, in the opening round of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Division I Football State Championships at Sue D. Cooley Stadium Friday.

Na Alii (9-3 overall) end the Lunas' (9-1 overall) season and punch their ticket to the Big Island to face Konawaena on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m.

Kaimana Lale-Saole made his first trip to Maui a memorable one as he rushed for a game-high 147 yards on 24 carries and pair of touchdowns.

"Our coaches were reminding us it's a business trip and it ain't vacation. One thing was to win this game and it's my first time to Maui and it's a great experience," Lale-Saole said.

Ezekiel Olie threw for 247 yards on 27-of-37 passing, two touchdowns and a pick.

Logan Rouse had five tackles, four went for losses and a sack to lead Na Alii defense and held the Lunas, who averaged 255.3 rushing yards before the contest, to a season-low 56 rushing yards.

"Coach Mika (Liilii) emphasized the keys and everybody does their part and if everybody does their part, and if everybody does their part, we shut down their run. The main thing was not looking at the backfield, the trick plays, it was about following the front guys," Rouse said.

Aiea capitalized on back-to-back penalties and Lale-Saole rushed for a 8-yard touchdown, but Bryson Boyea Quiton missed the PAT for a 6-0 lead.

"We worked a lot in practice and I give a lot of credit to the big boys up front. We worked hard and kept going play after play to get it right in practice. We came and brought it here from what we learned from practice," Lale-Saole said.

Na Alii forced the Lunas to punt and went on a 12-play, 85-yard drive. Aiea converted two third downs and Geronimo Ulgaran reeled in a 40-yard pass that set up Lale-Saole's second touchdown from 1 yard out for a 13-0 lead.

"We were trying to go off the defense and off the film we had but it was a great team win and I'm happy to contribute to the team," Lale-Saole said.

Jayden Chanel caught six passes for 78 yards and hauled in a 24-yard touchdown pass from Olie for a 20-0 lead.

Owen Garcia-Olea kicked a 30-yard field goal with 37 seconds left in the second quarter to get the Lunas on the scoreboard and trailed, 20-3 at halftime.

Ian-Jay Cabanilla's would-be 55-yard interception return for a touchdown was called back by a block in the back penalty. However, the Lunas were able score five plays later on Kaulana Tihada's 2-yard touchdown to get within 10.

Aiea responded on the next offensive series with a 11-play, 67 yard drive. Rico Figueroa finished with seven catches for 65 yards and caught a 2-yard score to extend the lead, 27-10 and put the game out-of-reach.

"Most games are based on momentum. Once we got momentum, all the offense had to do was deliver. Our o-line and receivers really delivered and that was the best part," Rouse said.

With their running game shutdown, the Lunas aired it out more. Lyric Kahula went 7 for 14 for 137 yards and was intercepted by Hiki Kim Choy-Keb-Ah Lo.

Boyea Quiton added a 36 yard field goal for the last points of the game.

Aizik Mahuka had five tackles and two went for losses. Sila Unutoa did not play after he was ejected from the OIA championship game however, Makoa Ah Mook Sang filled in with five tackles.

"We didn't have Sila and he did really good," Rouse said of Ah Mook Sang. "We didn't have a starting end on the other side so Fedelis (Mauigoa), this was his fourth game stepping up."

Anu Kaina and Kahi Magno each had eight total tackles to lead Lahainaluna's defense in the loss.