MILILANI — For the second straight year, Kamehameha-Maui sits atop Division II football.

The Warriors unleashed a dominant rushing attack, explosive special teams play, and a suffocating defense to defeat Waimea, 48–24, in the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Division II State Championship at John Kauinana Stadium on Friday night.

The victory completed a back-to-back title run for KS-Maui and delivered a long-awaited sense of redemption felt throughout the roster.

First-Half Shootout Sets the Stage

Waimea struck first when Kolby Correa connected with Nash Schaefer for a 25-yard score midway through the opening quarter.

But KS-Maui quickly answered, with Kekoa Keau-Davis hitting Zedekaiah Campbell on a 36-yard strike to tie the game at 6–6.

The Warriors grabbed control in the second quarter behind sophomore playmaker Xander Pagan, who powered in a 9-yard rushing touchdown to give KS-Maui its first lead.

Waimea briefly responded with another Correa-to-Schaefer deep shot — a 48-yard touchdown — but Pagan delivered the momentum-changing play of the night on the ensuing kickoff, bursting 91 yards to the end zone to put the Warriors up 20–12.

Warriors Pull Away After Halftime

Waimea opened the third quarter with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Kaulana Makua, cutting the deficit to two points.

But from there, KS-Maui slammed the door.

Keau-Davis capped a 4-play drive with a 7-yard touchdown toss to Loea Asuega-Stark, then Pagan added his second rushing score — a punishing 9-yard run — to push the lead to 34–18.

The Warriors closed the night with two fourth-quarter rushing touchdowns from Campbell, who finished as the game’s most dynamic offensive weapon.

Waimea added a late touchdown on a 38-yard pass to Kalawaia Martins, but KS-Maui’s championship was already well secured.

Champions Built on Defense, Brotherhood, and “Revenge” Motivation

KS-Maui’s defense shook off a shaky start and tightened as the night went on, forcing two interceptions and consistently disrupting Waimea’s timing.

Junior Aukai Phillips said the win carried personal meaning after the Class of 2024 team fell short against Waimea two years ago.

“It’s such an amazing feeling because I know my boys from the class of 2024 didn’t get to experience this. They fell short, so this felt personal for me,” Phillips said. “Our defense is known for that — first couple drives still warming up, then once everybody is on, it’s on.”

The theme of redemption echoed across the roster.

Senior offensive lineman Paʻu Spencer, who played in that 2023 loss, said this championship hit differently.

“Us winning again shows how resilient we are and how much work we put in — this doesn’t come easy,” Spencer said. “At least for me, because I played in that game, that was our motivation. We had a championship, but we just had to beat Waimea.”

Spencer added that this night was meaningful for every senior:

“Tonight just meant more to everyone because we’re not going to have this night ever again, so might as well go your hardest.”

Warriors’ Offensive Balance Too Much to Contain

Campbell and Pagan formed a nearly unstoppable one-two punch:

KS-MAUI LEADERS

• Zedekaiah Campbell: 146 rushing yards, 2 rushing TD; 35 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD

• Xander Pagan: 59 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs; 91-yard kick-return TD

• Kekoa Keau-Davis: 76 passing yards, 2 TD, 0 INT

KS-Maui finished with 196 rushing yards, averaging 5.4 yards per carry, and added 12 special-teams points — a major difference in the final score.

On defense, Phillips and Kalai Kahoohanohano led the charge, with Kahoohanohano recording two interceptions and multiple pass breakups.

Waimea’s Air Attack Shines, But Not Enough

To their credit, the Menehunes battled behind a big performance from Correa, who threw for 218 yards and four touchdowns.

WAIMEA LEADERS

• Kolby Correa: 218 passing yards, 4 TD

• Nash Schaefer: 105 receiving yards, 2 TD

• Kaikea Miyashiro: 39 rushing yards

Waimea totaled 288 yards of offense but struggled to match KS-Maui’s physicality and depth over four quarters.

A Dynasty in the Making?

With another generation of young playmakers emerging — including Pagan and several underclassmen skill players — KS-Maui believes its future remains bright.

“Our offense has a really bright future, especially with the young linemen and receivers,” Spencer said.

For now, the Warriors celebrate a second straight championship — and one that came with satisfaction, redemption, and a statement that KS-Maui has established itself as the new standard of Division II football in Hawaiʻi.

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL LASQUERO AND NATE RAGRAGOLA