MILILANI, Hawaii — The Waipahu Marauders got even, and then some.
The Oahu Interscholastic Association champions exacted retribution for last year’s loss to Konawaena in the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Division I football championship by routing the Wildcats, 53-28, in the 2023 rematch at John Kauinana Stadium on Saturday night.
After the Big Island Interscholastic Federation powerhouse claimed a three-point lead in the third quarter, Waipahu made sure there would be no repeat of last year’s 38-28 breakthrough title for Konawaena.
It was the second Division I state title for Bryson Carvalho’s Marauders (8-4), who were loaded with transfer players this season. Waiaphu attained its first state title in 2018.
Quarterback Elijah Mendoza, who experienced disappointment as a freshman in last year's title game, directed the Marauders to a prolific offensive night of 582 total yards. He was 39-for-59 for 415 yards and four passing touchdowns, while workhorse running back Faafetai Failauga went for 153 yards and a TD on 29 carries.
“This rematch is very, very personal,” Mendoza told Spectrum OC16’s Jimmy Bender. “I praise my Lord. I always pray to him before every single snap. Open the path for me, Lord, open the path for me.”
The Marauders’ defense got to Konawaena’s talented quarterback, Keoki Alani, when it counted. They intercepted him three times and sacked him thrice, with two by lineman Arjay Kelemete.
Waipahu two-way standout Eric Stephens was impactful on both ends. He caught 12 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown and had a pick of Alani at the 1-yard line on Konawaena’s opening drive.
Brad Uemoto’s Wildcats (11-2) still managed to strike first with Keawe Navas-Loa’s 60-yard scoop-and-score fumble return touchdown. Navas-Loa would add rushing and receiving touchdowns in the third quarter to give Konawaena a 24-21 lead.
Waipahu responded with a Jayden Chanel 22-yard scoring pass from Mendoza, who slung three of his TDs after halftime to give his team the lead for good.
Stephens was complemented by Tai Aipia Barrett (nine catches, 127 yards, TD) and Jayden Chanel (eight catches, 89 yards). Failauga also caught a TD.
“Great guys. It’s not even just the weapons, but also my protection,” Mendoza said. “I couldn’t have done it with my linemen. My linemen, I couldn’t be more grateful for them. They are really, truly a different species of linemen.”
Waipahu scored touchdowns on five of its last six drives of the game to blow it wide open. Conversely, four of Konawaena’s last seven possessions ended in a turnover.
Konawaena had been nearly untouchable all season in the BIIF. Since losing 60-28 to California power Long Beach Poly at Julian Yates Field to open the season, Brad Uemoto’s Wildcats had won 11 straight – mostly blowouts with five shutout victories over that span.
Alani was 21-for-39 for 254 yards and a touchdown. His top target, receiver Zed Anahu-Ambrosio, was limited to five catches for 34 yards and three carries for 29 yards.
Aliimalu Tan ran back a 71-yard kickoff return touchdown for Konawaena to make it an 11-point game with 5:37 to play, but Failauga scored on a 32-yard run and Aaron Dumaslan ran back an Alani pass for a 27-yard pick-six.
Preceding the Division I championship at John Kauinana Stadium, Waimea repeated as Division II champion with a 31-28 win over Kamehameha-Maui.
Brian McInnis covers the state's sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.
