KAHUKU — Kahuku's defense came up with two crucial second-half stands and the No. 7 Red Raiders fended off No. 5 Farrington, 13-6, last night to clinch at least a share of the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red East title at Carleton Weimer Field.

An enthusiastic crowd of about 2,500 came to watch a game that was televised by OC 16.

If Castle (3-1) beats Kailua tonight, the Red Raiders (6-1, 5-0) will need to beat the Knights on Friday at Kahuku's homecoming to secure the division's top seed.

The Governors (5-2, 4-1) will need to beat Kaimuki next Saturday and hope that the Knights finish 5-1, forcing a three-way tie with each beating one but not the other. That scenario would result in a coin toss for the top seed.

"We just didn't make plays," said Farrington coach Randall Okimoto. "Give credit to them for stopping us in that situation."

Trailing 13-6 after fullback Alapeti Magalei's 27-yard touchdown run with 2:14 left in the third quarter, the Governors failed to capitalize on two series starting in Kahuku territory. A shanked 12-yard punt by Kahuku gave Farrington possession at the Red Raiders' 24, but four yards and three downs later, the Govs missed a 37-yard, field-goal attempt.

After Kahuku punted on its ensuing series, the Governors took over at the Red Raiders' 45 after a personal foul penalty against Kahuku during the punt return. But the drive ended after six yards in four plays.

Kahuku took over with 4:42 left and drove to Farrington's 20 before losing the ball on downs, but only after shaving 3:58 off the clock.

The Governors got the ball back with 44 seconds left, but netted minus-2 yards on their four downs.

Kahuku got the ball back with 17 seconds left, taking a knee to burn the rest of the clock.

"The coaches wanted us to step it up," said Kahuku defensive end Hau'oli Jamora, who had two tackles that netted lost yardage. "That's what we had to do."

After a scoreless first quarter, Farrington recovered an errant pitch on an option from Kahuku quarterback Allan Kubota, that the Governors recovered at the Kahuku 28.

Four plays later, quarterback Dayton Kealoha hit Sammy Park on a 13-yard scoring pass with 4:36 left in the first quarter. But the PAT missed leaving the score 6-0.

The Red Raiders responded on their next series, moving 67 yards in nine plays with tailback St. John Lessary III scoring on a 3-yard run with 27 seconds left in the half. But Kahuku also missed the PAT keeping the game deadlocked at the half.

The Red Raiders took the lead in the third quarter, taking 5:20 off the clock to complete a 10-play, 69-yard drive with Magalei scoring on a delayed handoff from 27 yards. Lessary's PAT made it 13-6.

Magalei was the game's leading rusher with 92 yards on 12 carries.

His longest run was 42 yards on Kahuku's first scoring drive.

Kahuku's defense held Farrington to 67 yards rushing and 52 passing. Kealoha was 0 of 8 passing in the second half after going 5-of-10 for 52 in the first half.

"The defense did a great job," Kahuku coach Reggie Torres said. "Both defenses did a great job. This far in the season defense is going to have to carry the team. Defense wins championships."

FARRINGTON (5-2, 4-1) 0 6 0 0— 6

KAHUKU (6-1, 5-0) 0 6 7 0—13

Farr — Sammy Park 13 pass from Dayton Kealoha (kick failed)

Kah — St. John Lessary III 3 run (kick failed)

Kah — Alapeti Magalei 27 run (Lessary III kick)

RUSHING — Farrington: Kealoha 5-4, Apelu So'oalo 10-38, Siaosi Feleunga 1-3, Henry Tuimaseve 7-24. Kahuku: Allan Kubota 13-31, Magalei 12-92, Lessary 15-38, Viliami Tasi 4-14, AJ Atuaia 2-2, team 1-(minus 1).

PASSING — Farrington: Kealoha 5-18-0—52. Kahuku: Kubota 2-6-0—25.

RECEIVING — Farrington: Drake Miller 2-24, Park 2-24, So'oalo 1-4. Kahuku: Lessary 1-18, Aulola Tonga 1-7.

JV score — Kahuku 27, Farrington 13