No. 4 Leilehua beat No. 3 Farrington at its own game, with a tenacious defense, in a 9-7 win in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red semifinals last night at Aloha Stadium.

The Mules will play Kahuku for the Red championship Friday at Aloha Stadium. The two teams have secured Division I state tournament berths.

"We always hang our hat on our defense and we're going to have to continue to do that," Leilehua coach Nolan Tokuda said. "If we've got down to a field goal, win by one point, we'll do that and leave our defense on the field."

Cornerback Sly Izumigawa's third-quarter interception paved the way for Leilehua's only TD, a 19-yard pass from Andrew Manley to Kamana Akagi. On third-and-4 from the Farrington 25, Izumigawa intercepted Jared Hakuole's pass at the Farrington 37 and returned it to the 19.

"The two receivers did a switch and I just played right between, came up and made the play," Izumigawa said of the pick.

The Mules' defense constantly bent, but didn't break, except when it allowed a 54-yard run by Siaosi Feleunga late in the game that set up the Govs' only score.

Feleunga's run took the ball to the Leilehua 13 and set up Hakuole's 14-yard TD fade pass to Ranold Williams in the left corner of the end zone to pull the Govs to 9-6. Moses Kaina's PAT made it 9-7 with 3:52 to play.

Leilehua milked 1:43 off the clock on its ensuing series before eventually punting. The Govs took over from its 44, but reached only their 49 before losing the ball on downs with 16 seconds left. The Mules ran out the clock by downing the ball the next two plays.

The Mules took a 3-0 lead into the half on a 36-yard field goal by sophomore Timothy Momiyama with 3:05 left in the second quarter.

The Mules (8-2) return to the title game for the first time since 2007, when they beat Wai'anae, 12-3. This will be the Mules' fifth title game appearance and third time against top-ranked Kahuku. Leilehua won in 1974 and lost in 1972.

Kahuku (10-0) will be playing in its 19th title game since postseason play started in 1970. The Red Raiders are 13-5 in championship games.

No. 3 Farrington (8-2) will play No. 8 Castle (6-4) for third place Nov. 7 for the league's final state tournament berth.

FARRINGTON (8-2) 0 0 0 7—7

LEILEHUA (8-2) 0 3 6 0—9

Lei— FG Timothy Momiyama 36

Lei— Kamana Akagi 19 pass from Andrew Manley (kick failed)

Farr— Ranold Williams 14 pass from Jared Hakuole (Moses Kaina kick)

RUSHING—Farrington: Jared Hakuole 6-(minus 2), Harry Tuimaseve 29-145, Scotland Smith 3-4, Siaosi Feleunga 5-85, Jordan Hakuole 1-(minus 3). Leilehua: Andrew Manley 8-(minus 44), Carlos Marshall 8-17, Team 3-(minus 6), Blaine Furtado 2-2, Fred Padrones 1-3.

PASSING—Farrington: Hakuole 10-21-1—95. Leilehua: Manley 16-24-1—176,

RECEIVING—Farrington: Alvin Faamausili 4-57, Sammy Park 1-3, Williams 2-21, Benjamin Malufau 1-12, Tuimaseve 1-5, Smith 1-(minus 3). Leilehua: Kamana Akagi 9-124, Keanu Sapla 1-3, Marshall 2-9, Blaine Furtado 1-12, Darrien Shealy 2-25, Austin Schmidt 1-3.