Defense has been key for the Kahuku football team all season long enabling them to emerge with an 11-0 record and an opportunity to compete for the Hawaii High School Athletic Association state title. The Red Raiders will take on Farrington this Friday at Aloha Stadium in the semifinals of the state tourney. Game time is 4:00 p.m. Leading Kahuku is Hauoli Jamora, the defensive end who have been a tower of strength in stopping opponents via sacks and forced fumbles.

Jamora was a monster on the loose in the recent Oahu Interscholastic Association Red Division league tourney.  Against Leilehua on November 6 in the OIA title game.  Jamora dominated in garnering five sacks and recovering a blocked punt for a touchdown which helped Kahuku secure a 24-20 victory. In the contest against Castle on October 30, Jamora also took down the quarterback five times.

Heavily recruited by Arizona, Washington State, Hawaii and Oregon State, Jamora knows playing against a tough run-oriented Farrington team will be difficult. Earlier this season on October 2, the Governors narrowly lost to Kahuku 16-14 and in fact led at halftime 14-0. “This (game) will be a challenge for us,” said Jamora. “I know it will be a battle. For the last two weeks we’ve done nothing but focus on being serious on the task ahead of us. As for myself, I’ve been putting in extra workout time so I can play strong all four quarters.”

Jamora says his goal is to play in the championship game. “Ever since I was little watching my cousins play for Kahuku it has been my dream to play my senior year in the state title game.  Hopefully we can get pass Farrington.  It’s important to me to play well against them (Farrington). This is my last season playing for Kahuku so when I step onto that field Friday night I’m going to give it all I got,” Jamora said.

Helping Jamora this Friday against Farrington on the defensive line will be nose tackle Veteson Sauni. The senior says he’s excited about playing in the state tourney. “Having a chance to play for the state title is what I have worked all season for. I know at game time I’m going to have that butterfly feeling with everyone watching, but I know I have a job to,” said Sauni.

That job will entails engaging in double teaming battles so Kahuku’s linebackers can get to the ball, says Kahuku coach Reggie Torres. “Both Jamora and Sauni are talented football players,” said Torres. “Our team wouldn’t be where we are today without their contributions,” Torres added.

“The sky is the limit,” said Sauni. “Last year we lost to Leilehua. For some reason we’ve had bad luck in (state tourney) semifinal games. But Kahuku is known for come backs. We intend to play our hearts out in this game. We know we’ll going to have to stop (Harry) Tuimaseve and that’s something we having been working on the last two weeks. I think the game will be close but I hope to do my part to help us win,” said Sauni.

Farrington's Tuimaseve is a great talent says Torres. “He’s just outstanding. Our job Friday night will be to stop him. I’m not going to say we will win, but I believe our players will work hard for the opportunity to play for the state title,” said Torres.

Tuimaseve has rushed for over 1,000 yards this season and is the leading ball carrier in the state. Last week against Honokaa, Tuimaseve gained a career-high 258-yard in a 48-16 state tourney quarterfinal round victory. In that October game against Kahuku, Tuimaseve rushed 26 times for 95 yards.

On the offensive side, Kahuku’s line players are just as eager to play in the state tourney. Offensive guard Jase Toomalata says he is hoping Kahuku can control the line of scrimmage so the Red Raiders’ running backs can stay on the field longer than Farrington’s offense.

“If we can dominate in the trenches then we’ll have a good chance to win,” Toomalata said. “Making big plays is what we need. It’s best for us to score early and put the pressure on Farrington.”

Teammate Jackson Kala agrees. A tight end, Kala said, “The offensive line’s main role will be to block to make holes for our runners. I know it will be hard because Farrington has a big team. But this portion of the season is what we’ve worked patiently for. We must get off to a good start and play consistently to win.”

In the other semifinals game at Aloha Stadium at 7:00 p.m., OIA member Leilehua will battle against Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion Kamehameha. The Mules features OIA all-league quarterback Andrew Manley, who led Leilehua to the state title game last season. Leilehua defeated Baldwin 48-12 in last week’s quarterfinal state tourney game at Maui War memorial Stadium.

The state title game will be played on December 4 at Aloha Stadium at 7:30 p.m.