Photos: HHSAA DI Football: Kahuku defeats Farrington 9-6 Advances to Title game vs Kamehameha-Kapalama

Kahuku is headed back to the state championship game for the first time since winning the state title in 2006 after eking out a 9-6 overtime victory over Oahu Interscholastic Association Red East rival Farrington in the semifinal round of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Football State Championships tonight at Aloha Stadium.

The top-seeded Red Raiders (12-0) scored all their points on three field goals by kicker Cameron Mercado, including a 49-yard blast to end the first half. Kahuku, the OIA champion, advances to face the winner of the other semifinal contest pitting Kamehameha against Leilehua.

Farrington (9-3) received a game-high 185 yards rushing from senior running back Harry Tuimaseve. The back averaged 6.4 yards-per-rush on the evening and scored the team’s lone touchdown.

The contest featured two run-oriented offenses jockeying for field position. Both defensive units reigned supreme in the opening period as the two squads combined for just one first down and six passing yards.