HHSAA Division II FOOTBALL: ‘Iolani wins fifth straight DII state title

By Wes Nakama
HHSAA

Jordan Lee rushed for 177 yards on 19 carries and Kody Mento added 85 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 14 carries Friday night as ‘Iolani blanked Waipahu, 34-0, for its fifth straight First Hawaiian Bank/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division II Football Championship at Aloha Stadium.

The Raiders finished the season at 8-4. Waipahu, making its first state title game appearance, ended up 9-4.

‘Iolani took an early 7-0 lead four minutes into the game after Mento’s 7-yard touchdown run, one play after Trey Muraoka recovered a muffed punt return.

The Raiders extended the lead to 14-0 after Reece Foy’s 59-yard scoring pass to Tanner Nishioka with 3:20 remaining in the first quarter, then made it 17-0 on Jordan Lee’s 22-yard field goal two minutes into the second quarter.

‘Iolani pushed the lead to 24-0 with 5:37 left in the half after Mento’s second TD run, from 8 yards out.

Lee’s 33-yard field goal midway through the third quarter made it 27-0, and Mento sealed the victory with an 8-yard touchdown run with 4:59 remaining in the game.

Foy finished with 12 completions in 21 attempts for 158 yards, and Nishioka caught four passes for 93 yards.