Kahuku prepares to host nation’s No. 1 Mater Dei on the North Shore

The Hawaiian Islands will take center stage for the National Game of the Week in high school football, as Hawaii’s top-ranked team, Kahuku, hosts the nation’s No. 1 program, Mater Dei.

The three-time defending state champion Red Raiders are set to face California powerhouse Mater Dei, the unanimous No. 1 in the MaxPreps rankings. The Monarchs are fresh off a win over Bishop Gorman, the same Gaels team that handed Kahuku a loss last month. But Kahuku, known for their resilience, isn’t new to high-stakes games—just last season, they knocked off second-ranked St. John Bosco for a statement win.

For the Red Raiders, no matter who’s on the other sideline, the opportunity to play at Weimer Field in front of the “Red Sea” of fans is never taken for granted.

“In all humility, it feels great to lead our boys in every game we play, regardless of the opponent,” said head coach Sterling Carvalho. “It’s not just the players and coaches, but the Red Raider Nation that follows and supports us. It’s a blessing every time we play or do the haka—it never gets old.”

Kaimana Carvalho, senior receiver and defensive back, echoed his coach’s sentiments.

“I try to stay calm, but I always get the chills,” Kaimana said. “You walk out of the locker room, look up at the stands, and realize you’re playing for something bigger. Home-field advantage is real. As we saw in the St. John Bosco game, the Red Sea helped us make big plays. It’s a cool experience.”

As game day approaches, reigning Cover2 Te’o Award winner Mana Carvalho remains a game-time decision while recovering from a leg injury. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Saturday and will be televised on Spectrum XCast.

Get ready for the game with more coverage on Cover2: Hawaii High School Football Weekly on Thursday night at 9:30 p.m. on KHON2.