Allison Chang clutched up with two field goals, including the game winner with 1:41 left, as No. 7 ‘Iolani pulled out a 13-12 win over Damien. The win was the Raiders’ 16th in a row, a streak that began with the first game of their 2021 season.
Even after nine state titles, 2021 is different for the ‘Iolani Raiders. Moments after the trophy presentation to runner-up Lahainaluna and new Division I football state champion ‘Iolani — after the Raiders’ 38-0 win on Thursday — the 2020 Raiders could not be forgotten. “This is for you guys, too,” longtime coach Wendell Look said as former Raiders hugged their former coach. “We did it. We did it.” Senior hybrid/punt returner Sterling Sakashita, who finished his career with six tackles […]
In 2021, elite defense and a sound running game still matter. They sure do for the ‘Iolani Raiders (10-0). In a 21-0 shutdown of OIA champion Aiea on Friday night, the Raiders collection of “Hybrid” defenders limited Na Alii to 225 total yards. Aiea averaged just 3.6 yards per play and was shut out for the first time all season. No defense had limited Aiea (4-3) to less than 13 points, but ‘Iolani and defensive coordinator Delbert Tengan made it […]
In a game that was closer than the final score made it look, running back Brody Bantolina proved to be the difference in a 21-0 victory for the ‘Iolani Raiders in the Division I semifinals of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Football State Championships at Skippa Diaz Stadium. “We contained them. These guys executed the game plan to a ‘T,’” ‘Iolani head coach Wendell Look said. “Coach did a heck of a job prepping these kids. Can’t say enough about the […]
It took Roosevelt and ‘Iolani 52 years to meet on the gridiron again for an official game. This time, it wasn’t so close. The visiting ‘Iolani Raiders scored 28 unanswered points in a 40-7 runaway win over Roosevelt on Friday night at Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium. When the Raiders and Rough Riders last met on Sept. 19, 1969, ‘Iolani escaped with a 7-6 win. Keeper of the vault Jerry Campany shared this ancient history. Unlike that day, when ‘Iolani had 109 […]
When Brody Bantolina last had a season of football, he was a sophomore with the 2019 ILH Division I ‘Iolani Raiders. That squad went 10-3, losing a heartbreaker to Hilo in the state tournament title game. Bantolina rushed for 575 yards and 10 touchdowns on 112 carries as the 1b running back to talented Brock Hedani. This fall, the senior playmaker is relishing the primary role. Bantolina has rushed for 631 yards and 15 TDs on 99 attempts as No. […]
Sterling Sakashita leads an active, mobile life. The ‘Iolani senior often brings first contact to opposing ballcarriers, a human heat-seeking missile. Agent HYBRID 01, one of seven such defenders listed as such on the Raiders’ roster. With a 38-0 win over a gritty Damien squad, ‘Iolani captured the ILH Division I crown on a hot Friday afternoon at Eddie Hamada Field. Once the team was done with post-game photos on what was a reasonable version of homecoming — vaccinated parents […]
Down 8-0 in the opening minutes, the ‘Iolani Raiders faced an uphill battle against the upstart Kamehameha I-AA Warriors. Sterling Sakashita made sure of it. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound senior was everywhere defensively with double-digit tackles against a balanced Kamehameha offensive attack. With the Raider defense swarming on Warriors quarterback Noah Spencer and running back Moe Passi, No. 7 ‘Iolani rallied for a 35-20 victory at Aloha Stadium. ‘Iolani improved to 3-0 with its toughest battle so far in the ILH […]