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HALAWA - While Kawehena Johnson is far from being the most physically-daunting player - he is generously listed at 5-foot-9 and 160 pounds - the Kahuku junior casted a big shadow in the Red Raiders' 30-24 win over Punahou Friday night.

Johnson, who played in all three phases of the game for Kahuku, did many of the little things against the Buffanblu - and all season long - that helped to bring the Division I state title back to the North Shore.

He made five tackles, including one for loss, and recovered a fumble on defense. He also lined up at both wide receiver (one reception for 14 yards) and quarterback (1-of-2 passing for 6 yards, three rushes for 14 yards) on offense and also had a 48-yard punt return on special teams.

"He's an exciting player, who works hard. He's a great kid," Kahuku coach Reggie Torres said of Johnson, whose father, Darren, is an assistant on the Red Raiders' coaching staff. "He's been around the game all his life because of his dad and he's a smart guy, he knows football."

Kahuku's defense limited Punahou to 242 yards of total offense, including just 62 rushing yards.

"Our defense ended up almost being like a 'bend, but don't break,' they got us turnovers in our territory and stopped (Punahou) on some crucial third downs, but they've been a great defense all year," Torres said.

The Red Raiders forced five turnovers by the Buffanblu, including three interceptions of quarterback Larry Tuileta, and covered up a pair of Punahou fumbles.

"There's no better feeling," Johnson said. "Our coaches put us in the right place at the right time. They put us in that position and we just had to make plays. We had some breakdowns in coverage at times, but we picked it up and got it done."

Fellow defensive players Bronson Beatty, Mason Kualii-Moe and Evan Ramirez recorded the Red Raiders' picks in the game, but all pointed to Johnson as the leader of the team.

"That guy is an all-around player: he plays offense, defense, special teams," said Kualii-Moe, who also forced a fumble and broke up a pass. "He's a key factor on our team and he's a big reason why we won."

Beatty, who is a cousin of Johnson, finished with four tackles and two pass breakups.

"It's such an unreal feeling. My older brother won one and from watching him, I've dreamed of winning one since then and for it to happen now, it's just amazing," said Beatty, who plays alongside Johnson in the secondary. "I love him, I would do anything for that guy. We look to him for big plays and he's that spark that gives us the plays that we need."

Even Punahou coach Kale Ane paid Johnson the ultimate praise. When asked if Johnson needs to be accounted for wherever he lines up, Ane said: "Even when he's on the bench."

Despite the praise from his teammates and coaches, Johnson summed up his role as "being a team player and doing whatever the coaches ask of me. It doesn't matter what position."

But, perhaps no one was happier for Johnson than his father, Darren.

"I'm proud ... he wanted to win the state championship three years because he's played (on the varsity) since his freshman year," the elder Johnson said. "Last year we had a bad situation, but he wants to win another one, I know that. I'm proud as a father, heck yeah."

> Kahuku holds off Punahou, 30-24, for 6th state title