KAHUKU, Hawaii — When the battle was over, visiting Mater Dei and host Kahuku faced off at midfield.
The nation’s No. 1 prep football team arrayed itself in rigid formation and executed the program’s traditional Pride Drill of synchronized arm and leg movements. Then it was Kahuku’s turn.
The Red Raiders unleashed a spirited rendition of their haka as the Monarchs knelt and observed in silence.
In this respect, Kahuku more than held its own Saturday night. Unfortunately for the Red Raiders, it wasn’t the primary purpose of the meeting with the powerhouse from Santa Ana, Calif. Mater Dei had its way on the scoreboard in a 38-7 rout of the three-time Hawaii Open Division state champions in front of a packed house at Carleton Weimer Field.
[Note: See below for more photos of Mater Dei-Kahuku.]
There was no denying that the moment they strode onto the field, the Monarchs looked the part of an all-star team.
“There’s no place like home, always. We played our best but as a team they just have a lot of speed,” Kahuku coach Sterling Carvalho said. “Where we thought we could execute, they were just too fast. That’s why they are the No. 1 team.”
“They just have dudes all over the place,” Carvalho said.
Unlike home matchups with national powerhouses St. Frances Academy (Md.) and St. John Bosco (Calif.) over the last two years, the Red Raiders were unable to announce their presence early. As something of an ill omen, Kahuku defensive back Sheadon Kanoa was ejected on the opening kickoff for throwing a punch.
The hosts trailed 17-0 at intermission and did not score until Malosi Fiatoa plunged in on a jumbo formation with 5:26 remaining, averting Kahuku's first home shutout loss since Campbell's 24-0 victory in 1996.
Kahuku was held to negative-10 yards rushing.
It counted heavily on senior receiver Mana Carvalho in his first game action since getting knocked out early in last year’s state final against Mililani. It was quickly apparent he was quarterback Troy Mariteragi’s go-to target; 11 of Mariteragi’s 16 completions and 79 of his 115 passing yards were to Carvalho.
Carvalho, the head coach’s nephew, also showed his indispensable value as the team’s punter and placekicker.
The Utah commit lamented that he and his teammates undermined their own cause with mistakes and penalties. He took some hard hits during (and sometimes after) going to the ground, but afterward he reported he felt good.
“I wish I could’ve took more hits, but all the coaches were saying, be smart, get down if you have to,” Mana Carvalho said. “So, just saving my body throughout the whole season instead of just this game.”
Kahuku opens its OIA Open schedule by hosting Farrington (3-2, 0-1) on Saturday.
Said Sterling Carlvaho, “Having Mana is great. He’s an athlete, he’s a playmaker. Someone who can stretch the field, be a game-changer. But our team is not all about Mana; we have other people who can step up and we need people to step up. The only way we’re going to be successful is playing as a team.”
Mater Dei, the alma mater of Matt Leinart and Colt Brennan, was coming off of a 31-15 road win over previously top-ranked Bishop Gorman (Nev.) to claim the unanimous No. 1 designation.
Mater Dei first-year head coach Raul Lara was at Long Beach Poly in a 2002 matchup against Kahuku, part of a memorable doubleheader at Aloha Stadium with De La Salle and Saint Louis as the other matchup.
Lara called it a “great night” more than two decades ago. He said the experience Saturday was “awesome” for the Monarchs, who lodged in nearby Laie.
“Great community, he said. “I can see how much they love the school and the kids here.”
As for the contest, he was pleased with his team’s defense and special teams. Mater Dei counted a defensive touchdown (lineman Tomuhini Topui ran a pick-six back 50 yards) and a special teams score (a 5-yard fumble return by Aaryn Washington) among its tally.
Offense, though, was a tad disappointing – and for that he credited Kahuku’s fervor.
“Here’s the major reason why we took a step back: because we played a team that plays hard, and we knew that,” Lara said. “The Kahuku kids, especially defensively, they were playing hard. It was something we needed to match their intensity. And they kind of controlled the line of scrimmage with us in the beginning.”
While the trip was enjoyable, Lara said his school likely could not afford a return unless it received sponsorship assistance.
For Kahuku's part, Sterling Carvalho said he would continue to pursue home dates against powerhouse national programs.
Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.