The full house of Red Tide fans that filled the picturesque stadium enjoyed a hard-fought contest that was not decided until the final seconds ticked off the game clock. PHOTO BY GLEN PASCUAL.

LAHAINA — The spirited camaraderie of the West Side community was on full display at Sue D. Cooley Stadium on the Lahainaluna High School campus two weeks ago as the defending Division I champion Lunas opened up the 2022 Maui Interscholastic League football season with a 17-10 victory over the Maui High Sabers.

The Lunas held the lead for most of the game, but key miscues allowed the Sabers to stay in contention throughout the MIL opener for both schools.

Defense dominated the action in the first half that ended in a 3-3 stalemate.

Lahainaluna appeared to be in control in the third quarter after scoring a touchdown to take a 17-3 lead. But that comfort zone soon disappeared as Maui High took the ensuing kickoff back 91 yards for a touchdown that cut the deficit into a one-score contest.

Once again, it was the Lunas’ defense that keyed the victory. Maui High had driven deep into Lahainaluna territory after taking possession with an interception combined with a major penalty against the Lunas that placed the ball in the Lunas’ red zone.

The Sabers drove the football inside the five yard line but were unable to punch it over the goal line, as the Lunas stood strong with their backs to the wall.

It was a huge win for the Lunas and pushed their overall record to 2-0 and 1-0 for the young MIL season as the program continues to emerge from the pandemic restrictions and the stunning defeat in the Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division I State Championship contest.

Lahainaluna enjoyed a bye week to prepare for a Sept. 3, match-up against Kamehameha Schools Maui at the Warriors’ home stadium in Pukalani.

That game will be followed by a Lahainaluna-Baldwin contest at War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku on Sept. 10. The MIL first half will conclude with a Sept. 17 home game against King Kekaulike at Sue D. Cooley Stadium.

In the junior varsity season opener for both Lahainaluna and Maui High, the Lunas came out on top with an 18-0 victory over the Sabers.