Kahuku running back Aofaga Wily did not find the end zone Friday night, but he certainly made his presence felt in his team's 9-7 win over Leilehua at Aloha Stadium.

The junior ran wild for 227 yards on 31 carries to help the Red Raiders return to the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red Division championship game. In the semifinal win over the previously-unbeaten Mules, Wily was responsible for 65 percent of Kahuku's total offense.

"He played with a lot of heart," Red Raiders' head coach Reggie Torres said. "He got banged up, but he's a special kid, he just kept plugging away and he helped get us in a lot of good positions."

Against the Mules, Wily eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark and now ranks second amongst all Division I rushers with 1,026 yards.

"It's all about working hard," said Wily, who is 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds. We've just been working hard and we believed in each other and played for each other."

Friday night, Wily ran left, right and middle on tosses, dives, counters and draws against a Leilehua defense that was allowing just over 100 rushing yards a game.

On his first carry, Wily broke off a 24-yard gain and later in the drive, set-up first-and-goal with a 35-yard run down to the Mules' 10-yard line. However, the Red Raiders missed a 43-yard field goal. Wily had two carries of 20 yards within a span of three plays on Kahuku's second drive, but that possession ended in a turnover of downs. He had 144 rushing yards on 17 carries by halftime.

Wily carried seven times for 25 yards on the Red Raiders' first third-quarter possession, which ended in a 38-yard field goal by Kekahu Aluli. His longest run of the night - a 48-yard jaunt - came late in the third quarter when he broke through the line of scrimmage and outraced several Leilehua defenders down to the Mules' 31-yard line.

"It feels really good, but we still have to improve more if we want to take it to the next level," said Wily, who is averaging 6.4 yards per rush.

Wily's previous game-high was a a 192-yard performance against Castle on Oct. 7. He also had games of 181 yards against Moanalua and 156 against Waianae.

Kahuku, who is ranked second in this week's ScoringLive/OC16 Football Power Rankings, plays No. 1 Farrington for the OIA Red championship Friday night at Aloha Stadium. The game will follow the White Division title game between Pearl City and Waipahu at 4:30 p.m.


WEEK 12 PERFOMERS

Leilehua LB Reece Acohido had 2 sacks against Kahuku.

Leilehua WR Jeremiah Andrade had 10 receptions for 103 yards against Kahuku.

Punahou LB Zachary Hernandez had a 20 yard interception return for TD against Saint Louis.

Hilo WR Drew Kell had 6 receptions for 122 yards and a TD against Kealakehe.

Punahou Steven Lakalaka rushed for 144 yards and 2 TDs against Saint Louis.

Iolani RB Jordan Lee rushed for 124 yards and 2 TDs against Damien.

Leilehua DL Roger Luafalemana had 2 sacks against Kahuku.

KS-Maui WR Daylan Machado had 4 receptions for 92 yards and 2 TDs against King Kekaulike.

Saint Louis RB Kamana Pimental rushed for 144 yards and 2 TDs against Punahou.

Kahuku DB Evan Ramirez had 2 inteceptions against Leilehua.

Farrington RB Tyler Taumua rushed for 169 yards and 2 TDs against Campbell.

Campbell DB Jyrell Umali had a 79 yard interception return for TD against Farrington.

Maui QB Siueli Vaha threw for 71 yards and rushed for 100 yards and 2 TDs against Lahainaluna.

Kealakehe QB Tyler Yates threw for 160 yards and a TD and rushed for 147 yards and another score against Hilo.

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