Defense holds up Punahou in victory

CARMEL VALLEY, Calif. » For defensive players, there is nothing better than a goal-line stand.

For them, it’s like scoring a touchdown. And it has a way of boosting teammates when they need it the most.

For the second time this season, Punahou stood strong at the goal. The Buffanblu refused to let Helix High into the end zone, preserving a 10-6 victory Saturday to cap off the Brothers in Arms Classic at Cathedral Catholic High.

Helix’s (0-1) only points came off a blocked punt by Wyatt Travis that was recovered in the end zone by Jihad Woods with 1:50 to go in the second quarter.

The Highlanders’ offense only accounted for 179 total yards compared to 359 for Punahou, now 2-0 after last month’s opening win over Mililani.

"This was a great game by both defenses,” Punahou defensive coordinator Agenhart Ellis III said. "The guys really stepped up.”

Especially in the final quarter, when Helix was knocking on the doorstep to set up the dramatic stand with the game on the line. On first down from the Punahou 4, Helix lost 2 yards. On second down, Helix gained 3 yards, and it was held for no gain on third, setting up the big fourth-down play.

Helix quarterback Michael Austin’s pass was incomplete to preserve the win.

"We got lucky a few times there,” Punahou coach Kale Ane said. "The kids played clutch. That was the game-changer right there.”

Punahou linebacker Ronley Lakalaka said the game-saving stand was what was supposed to happen.

"I didn’t think they’d get in,” Lakalaka said. "Zero percent. I trust the defensive line and that thing starts with them. Everyone went a little nuts after that.”

Punahou quarterback Larry Tuileta, who was 13-for-31 passing for 233 yards and the game-winning touchdown pass in the second quarter, wasn’t fully convinced the Buffanblu could hold off Helix.

"I was thinking about what play we were going to run on first down after the kickoff,” he said. "That was a huge momentum switch, because once they get to the goal line it’s usually not a good outcome.

"I don’t know what we should do for the defense — they won this game — but maybe a few extra stickers on their helmets.”

Punahou opened the scoring with a 46-yard field goal by Charles McDonald in the first quarter.

It stayed that way until the blocked punt was recovered in the end zone by the Highlanders, the No. 4-ranked team in the San Diego Section.

After Helix took a 6-3 lead with 1:50 left before halftime and after a poor extra-point try, Tuileta needed 14 seconds to regain the lead.

The 6-foot-2 senior rifled a pass to Kanawai Noa for what turned out to be a 70-yard TD toss with 1:36 left before halftime.

Noa caught 10 passes for 210 yards and the game-winning score, but that victory was not secured until the defense put its final stamp on it in the fourth quarter.

"I don’t care how we do it as long as we get a win,” Ellis added. "We’re not throwing this one back.”

Not with a defense like that.

The Brothers In Arms Classic