For Kahuku High School's much-maligned passing game last night, "7" was the lucky number.

Until 23 seconds left in the game, the Red Raiders had completed only one pass (for 6 yards) in just five attempts out of their run-oriented option offense.

But down 6-0 with no timeouts and facing a third-and-11 situation from the Saint Louis 14-yard line, Kahuku had to go to the air.

The play is simply called "7," in which receiver Jordan Kapu, lined up on the left side, runs a corner route and quarterback Richard Torres lofts a throw to where only Kapu has a chance at it.

Torres unleashed a perfect spiral, and Kapu caught it while skillfully keeping both feet inbounds to tie the game at 6-6. Kaika Sasaoka's extra point gave the Red Raiders the winning margin and fifth state championship in seven years.

"I seen the ball and I caught it, then I tried my best to put my two legs down," said Kapu, who had caught only one pass all season until getting three receptions for 74 yards in last week's semifinal victory over Baldwin. "I tried to stop real fast so I could stay inbounds."

The same play was actually called on second down, but confusion resulted in Torres handing the ball off to Neal Lokotui, who was dropped for a 1-yard loss.

"It (the touchdown) should have happened the play before, but Richie misread it because in our two-minute offense, '7' is a draw," said Kahuku offensive coordinator Sterling Carvalho. "Two plays before, (assistant coach) Darren Johnson called for Jordan to run an '8' (post pattern), to test and bait (the defensive backs). We saw that they played Jordan inside, so we knew he'd be open on the fade."

Torres said he realized the mixup on second down, but with the game clock running, there was no time to sulk.

"They called '7' again, and then I said, 'OK, I got it,' " Torres said. "Hat's off to the offensive line, because they dug down deep and gave me plenty time. I could have stayed back there forever."

Torres had been the subject of criticism throughout the season, even from some parts of the Kahuku fan base. The critics claimed he was a poor passer, and his father, head coach Reggie Torres, was questioned for his conservative approach on offense.

The Red Raiders had completed only one pass (for 5 yards) in their first three postseason games.

"It was hard," Richard Torres said of the criticism. "But we know we can throw; we'd just rather run because we have one of the best offensive lines and best running backs."

Kapu defended Torres' throwing ability.

"Some people say he doesn't have a strong arm, but he gets it to you when he needs to," Kapu said.

Carvalho also praised Torres for his poise under pressure.

"Richie's the type of guy who won't say anything (about the criticism), he don't cry about it," Carvalho said. "But he leads by example and he gets the job done."

Besides, Torres had the last word last night.

"It's a big relief," Torres said. "It was a great season, and this was the icing on the cake."

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.