OIA Red East FOOTBALL: Kahuku shuts down Farrington, 31-6

Photos by Andrew Lee (http://www.twitter.com/HISportsPics)

By Wes Nakama
HHSAA

Kawe Johnson had eight tackles, one forced fumble and an interception return for a touchdown Saturday night to help Kahuku shut down Farrington, 31-6, in a much-anticipated O'ahu Interscholastic Association football showdown at Hawaiian Airlines Field.

An energized Aloha Stadium crowd of about 8,500 watched the Red Raiders improve to 6-0 overall, 5-0 in the OIA Red Conference Eastern Division. The Governors fell to 6-1, 4-1.

Johnson, a dynamic 5-foot-8, 163-pound senior, also caught two passes for 37 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown from Lasi Livai to help Kahuku take a 24-0 lead 90 seconds into the fourth quarter.

His 8-yard pick-six -- off a swing pass to the left side -- was the game's first score and Jake Samsel's extra point made it 7-0 midway through the first quarter.

P.J. Liua scored on an 11-yard TD run six seconds into the second quarter to help push the lead to 14-0, and Samsel added a 37-yard field goal with 4:29 remaining in the half to make it 17-0.

Farrington tailback Amo Silva, who entered the game averaging 151 yards per outing, was held to 12 yards on six carries in the first half. Tyler Taumua, the Govs' other standout running back who was averaging 85 ypg, had 44 yards on six carries by halftime but was held to one yard on five carries in the second half.

The duo finished with only 67 combined yards on 19 rushes.

Farrington's defense did a good job keying on Kahuku tailback Aofaga Wily, who entered the game averaging 135 yards per game but finished with 47 yards on 18 carries.

However, Liua -- a 5-9, 222-pound fullback -- was the surprise offensive standout with 91 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries and two catches for 35 yards.


FARRINGTON (6-1, 4-1) 0 0 0 6 -- 6
KAHUKU (6-0, 5-0) 7 10 0 14 -- 31

Kah -- Kawe Johnson 8 interception return (Jake Samsel kick)
Kah -- P.J. Liua 11 run (Samsel kick)
Kah -- FG Samsel 37
Kah -- Johnson 16 pass from Lasi Livai (Samsel kick)
Kah -- Liua 33 run (samsel kick)
Farr -- Francis Evangelia 84 pass from Montana Liana (run failed)

RUSHING -- Farrington: Amo Silva 8-22; TJ Utai 4-9; Tyler Taumua 11-45; Liana 4-(minus-10). Kahuiku: Aofaga Wily 18-47; Soli Afalava 2-5; Liua 9-91; Livai 2-(minus-2); Pupi Siilata 2-2; James Fafard-Keuma 1-4; Simeon Vierra 1-7; Quayd Ah You 1-0; Kaimi Hurlbut 1-(minus-1).

PASSING -- Farrington: Liana 6-14-2--109. Kahuku: Livai 10-14-1--127.

RECEIVING -- Farrington: James Hashimoto 1-11; Tyler Liana 4-14; Evangelia 1-84. Kahuku: Wily 3-23; Johnson 2-37; McKay Lewis 2-22; Tuli Matagi-Wily 1-10; Liua 2-35.