Kahuku runs wild to take down Saint Louis on opening weekend, 20-12

KAHUKU – A legacy state title matchup to start the season.

In a clash of two Hawai’i high school football titans up on the North Shore, the Kahuku Red Raiders (1-0) strongarmed the Saint Louis Crusaders (0-1) on Saturday night for a 20-12 victory to begin the 2026 campaign for both squads.

Kahuku, under the leadership of new head coach David Stant, dominated in the trenches, tallying over 200 yards on the ground while junior quarterback Lucky Suguturaga added 119 passing yards and two touchdowns (1 pass, 1 rush) in the win by the Red Raiders.

Senior running back Blake Alo shouldered the load for Kahuku, taking 19 carries for 117 yards while junior running back Blazyn-Brave Nunuha tacked on nine more rushes for 55 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Bodhi Kaanga provided breathing room before halftime with the biggest of his five catches on the night, hauling in a 30-yard pass from Suguturaga to make Kahuku’s lead 20-0 with 30 seconds left before the break. The junior totaled five catches for 85 yards in total throughout the game.

Kahuku WR Bodhi Kaanga celebrates in the end zone after a score. | Photo: Brian Bautista

That additional cushion proved important as Saint Louis shutout the Red Raiders’ offense in the second half, pulling within a single possession after sophomore quarterback Luke Shigeta’s second rushing touchdown of the night came with 2:56 left to play.

Shigeta had his fingerprints all over the offensive attack for the Crusaders, completing 14-of-29 passes for 128 yards and an interception while adding 41 yards and two rushing scores on 10 attempts in the loss.

Junior running back Tenari Fuamatu-Ma’afala led Saint Louis with 55 yards on the ground, rushing a team-high 13 times. Freshman wide receiver Zayden Bocoboc paced the Crusaders with 63 yards across four catches. No other player had more than 18 yards receiving in the loss.

Saint Louis will re-group next week with a bye, returning to action on August 22 with another challenging OIA Open Division trip to Mililani awaiting them. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. HT.

Kahuku hopes to keep the momentum rolling into next Saturday, August 15 when the Red Raiders travel to Waianae for the second leg of a five-game non-league test. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. HT.

Kahuku LB Siale Reid had a sack, forced a fumble and recorded an interception in the Red Raiders win over Saint Louis. | Photo: Brian Bautista