All Kahuku defensive lineman Kaniela Tuipulotu could think of was last year's state championship final.

This time, Wai'anae was trying to seize victory from the Red Raiders. But like the way the game against Punahou ended last year, it happened again.

This time Kaika Sasaoka's interception killed the Seariders' rally in a heart-thumping, 7-0 victory for Kahuku's fourth consecutive O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red championship last night before 10,853 at Aloha Stadium.

"I was thinking of last year's state championship," Tuipulotu said. "And it had the same result, an interception. You couldn't ask for a better effort."

Junior Mataafa's third-quarter 25-yard touchdown run after a Wai'anae fumble was the only score in a knock-down, drag-out affair between the OIA powers of their respective divisions.

The second-ranked Red Raiders (9-2) will draw an opening-round bye for the Division I state football tournament next week, while the co-No. 4 Seariders (7-4) will play the winner of tonight's Big Island Interscholastic Federation championship between Kea'au and Kealakehe. The opening round state game is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday at Mililani.

"I feel like I let down the seniors," said teary-eyed Wai'anae quarterback Ben McQuown. "We just have to catch 'em back at states."

It was a dramatic victory for Red Raiders' first-year coach Reggie Torres.

"It was a tough battle," he said. "We just got that lucky break in the second half. But I'm proud of my team. They conducted themselves as champions."

Trailing 7-0, the Seariders took over from their 16 with 2:13 left in the game. A 28-yard completion to Joe Abell on third-and-6 from Wai'anae's 20 kept the Seariders' drive alive and later a 20-yard run by McQuown put the Seariders at the Kahuku 27.

Back-to-back sacks by Tuipulotu and Malone Fiso dropped the Seariders back to the 38, but they got four yards on the next pass play to Abell. On fourth-and-17 at the 34, Wai'anae was called for a 5-yard delay penalty, backing it to the 39.

McQuown threw an incomplete pass, but Wai'anae's drive got second life when Kahuku was called for roughing the passer, an automatic first down and 15-yard penalty.

After getting sacked for a 6-yard loss by Alema Tachibana, McQuown threw an incomplete pass on second down. On third-and-16 from the 30, Sasaoka intercepted McQuown's pass and was tackled with two seconds left. Kahuku took a knee to end it.

After the scoreless half, the only score of the game came quickly in the third quarter. On Wai'anae's third play from scrimmage, McQuown couldn't control the snap from center and Tuipulotu recovered at the Wai'anae 35.

"I just couldn't get the snap," McQuown said. "The ball was wet. It was slippery (from the rain)."

Wai'anae had two snap exchange fumbles, but recovered one of them.

"We've had that problem before," Wai'anae coach Danny Matsumoto said. "It's something that we tried to work on, but you can't have that happen in the championship."

"It was a game-breaker for us because Wai'anae's tough," Torres said.

After a 10-yard run on first down by Lehi Aumua, Mataafa went up the middle for his 25-yard TD run. It looked like he broke a few tackles, but he said that wasn't so.

"I think it was me running into my blockers," he said. "It was just the O-line and fullback doing their jobs."

It wasn't like Wai'anae was getting pushed around. The Red Raiders managed only five first downs and 162 yards in offense, all from rushing.

Meanwhile, Kahuku's defense contained the Seariders to 64 yards rushing and 147 yards in total offense. Wai'anae had only nine first downs, two from penalties.

KAHUKU (9-2) 0 0 7 0 — 7

WAI'ANAE (7-3) 0 0 0 0 — 0

Kah—Junior Mataafa 25 run (Kaika Sasaoka kick)

RUSHING—Kahuku: Richard Torres 6-17, Lehi Aumua 14-64, Junior Mataafa 14-64, Ian Fujinaga 5-10, Neal Lokotui 3-2, Shiloah Te'o 1-5, Pelefoni Soliai 1-(minus 7), Team 1-(minus 2). Wai'anae: Ben McQuown 7-(minus 3), Nathan Malaki 1-2, Joe Abell 10-21, David Ferreira 6-22, Danny Kekoanui 4-2, Cranston Newman 1-3, Team 1-(minus 2), Justin Kauwalu 4-19.

PASSING—Kahuku: Torres 0-3-0—0. Wai'anae: McQuown 10-26-3—83.

RECEIVING—Kahuku: None. Wai'anae: Preston Cummings 1-11, Newman 3-13, Miller Ualesi 1-9, Tyson Ranada 1-7, Kekoanui 1-6, Joe Abell 3-37.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.