Lahainaluna picks off Kanehailua five times on way to lopsided win

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Jared Rochas-Islas led a punishing rushing attack with three touchdowns and quarterback Makoa Filikitonga-Lukela also scored three times as top-seeded Lahainaluna overwhelmed Kamehameha-Hawaii 52-7 in a Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division II semifinal at War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku, Maui.

Jared Rochas-Islas led a punishing rushing attack with three touchdowns and quarterback Makoa Filikitonga-Lukela also scored three times as top-seeded Lahainaluna overwhelmed Kamehameha-Hawaii 52-7 in a Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division II semifinal at War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku, Maui.

The Maui Interscholastic League champion Lunas (10-0) intercepted Micah Kanehailua five times and will face Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion Iolani (7-3) at 4:30 p.m. next Saturday in the state championship game at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.

The Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion Warriors (8-3) were hoping to become the league’s first team to reach the Division II title game, but those hopes were dashed early.

Filikitonga-Lukela threw for a touchdown, ran for one and scored on a pick-six.

The Lunas rumbled for 276 yards on the ground, getting 79 from Rochas-Isla and 74 more from Filikitonga-Lukela.

Kanehailua finished his high school career 11 of 27 for 81 yards.

The Warriors’ lone bright spot offensively was Kanehailua’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Kainalu Whitney, which cut their deficit to 24-7 in the second quarter.

The way Lahainaluna ran the ball, Filikitonga-Lukea didn’t throw often, going just 6 of 9 for 100 yards.

Lahainaluna led 45-7 at halftime.

Kamehameha 0 7 0 0 — 7

Lahainaluna17 28 7 0 — 52