OIA OPEN DIV FOOTBALL: KAHUKU 60, MOANALUA 7

For visiting Kahuku, it was a tune-up for things to come. For Moanalua, it was a litmus test against the state’s No. 1 team.

The result was hardly a surprise, with the defending Open state champion Red Raiders upending Na Menehune 60-7 on Friday night.

A long line of lock-down defensive efforts by the Red Raiders, gave the North Shore boys great field position all night. With the short field, quarterback Waika Crawford took advantage with five TD passes, including three to Kache Kaio.

“That defense is special,” said Na Menehune coach Vince Nihipali, who, when asked, ranked that Red Raiders’ unit a notch higher than the 2015 state title team version.

Mana Carvalho (four tackles, interception), Stansyn Pula (in on two sacks), and Madden Soliai (four tackles) were at the forefront defensively for Kahuku. Carvalho also contributed offensively with an 11-yard receiving TD, and Soliai found the end zone from 43 yards out after taking a lateral from Carvalho after the latter’s pick.

Nihipali’s Na Menehune (2-5-1, 1-4) wrap up their season next Friday at Waianae (2-5, 1-4) in a battle for fifth place.

“That would put us just outside of the (four-team) playoffs,” Nihipali said. “We want to go from being a D-I team to just missing the playoffs our first year in the Open. If we had been able to hold on after taking a 17-0 lead against Kapolei (a 42-17 loss on Sept. 17), this game would be for a playoff spot.”

Defensively for Moanalua, Ruben Chavez had a solid night with four tackles, including a sack.

“When the lights come on, Ruben gets better,” Nihipali said. “He has the intelligence and drive to make it, so we hope he can hook up with somebody (a D-I FBS college).”

Joshua Acidera made six tackles for Moanalua, and Keenan Ulu caught three passes for 55 yards.

Now, when Kahuku (7-2, 5-0) plays at home against Mililani (5-2), 4-0) next Saturday, the OIA Open regular-season title will be on the line. After that, in November, the Red Raiders and Trojans will compete at states.

“Mililani, it’s always us and them,” Crawford said. “I know they’re doing whatever they can to prepare for us. They have a lot of athletes and we have a lot of athletes. Both teams are going to play fast and it’s going to be a big game. We’ve just got to stick to the game plan.”