Kahuku HS followed up thier successful trip to Las Vegas with a 48-0 defeat of the always-tough Kalihi Raiders in Hawaii HS action. 

"It took us a while to settle down," said Head Coach Seamus Fitzgerald, noting that once captain Misifoa Matagi left the game midway through the first half with a knee injury, the backs lost their cohesion for a time.

Still, Kahuku scored three tries in the first half, two from flanker Sione Uasi, and one from No. 8 Lopaka Keoho-lessary. The second half saw Kahuku's continuity return, and flyhalf Will Fonoolafi took control of the attack. The big (6-2, 205) pivot kicked four conversions and added two tries in the second half.

It was another step forward for the Kahuku team, which will face off with Waimea on Hawaii's Big Island this weekend. Kahuku got some more good news this week, as they received an invitation to the Boys HS National Invitational Championship. This was a big move by the NIT Panel as Kahuku is a relatively unknown entity, and the tournament likes to invite teams they cna be sure will show up. However, Kahuku lobbied hard, and their defeat of top-10 team United in Vegas certainly helped, as did the fact they traveled to Las Vegas at all.

"We're so hungry to play in the NIT it's hard to sleep," said Fitzgerald.