It was Kahuku's defense verses Farrington's offense last Friday night at Aloha Stadium as the two teams battles for the right to play in the Hawaii High School Athletic Association football state championship game. In the end, the kicking of Cameron Mercado proved to be the deciding factor.
 
Mercado kicked three field goals, the last in overtime, to carry the Red Raiders to a 9-6 semifinal round victory. The senior punched the ball through the crossbar from 49 yards in the second quarter, 37 yards in the fourth quarter then ended the game with a field goal from 28 yards out.
 
Kahuku (12-0) moved on to the championship game of the state tourney to meet Kamehameha, winner of the other semifinal round game. The Warriors defeated Leilehua, 40-0, to secure a spot in the tourney's final game which starts at 7:30 p.m. this Friday at Aloha Stadium.
 
0Kahuku's defensive performance once again gave the Red Raiders a chance to win. The combination of Veteson Sauni, Ben Mamea, Keoni Tafuna and Hauoli Jamora had their hands full stopping the running game of Farrington. Even though all-state running back Harry Tuimaseve ripped off 185 yards on the ground, the Red Raiders frontline defensive players kept Farrington out of the end zone. By virtue of their effort, the closeness of the game allowed the kicking game of Kahuku to decide the outcome.
 
“This was a very tough game for us. Farrington plays all-out offense,” said Sauni, a senior nose tackle. “Fortunately, we hung in there and got the win.”
 
Sauni, who had eight tackles, praises the kicking of Mercado during the Farrington game. “He (Mercado) gives us a chance to win every game and so far we have. I believe as long as our defense plays well we'll be able to win,” said Sauni.
 
Kahuku's defense will face a tough Kamehameha squad that has won eleven of 12 games this season. The Warriors' main players are quarterback TC Campbell and all-purpose player Ryan Ho. The Interscholastic League of Honolulu champions features Tamatea Graham and Tafao Weisebarth on defense.
 
Jamora says his goal this week will be to focus on his battle to win the state title. “We know this championship game will be challenging. But we as a team has worked hard together all season long and we intend to not give up. It's been three years since we made it this far. With our fans behind us, we will give it all we have,” said Jamora.