Punahou sophomore Luke Morris was admittedly antsy when the responsibility of delivering a win on senior day was placed in his hands.
But after a few shaky moments in the first half, the Buffanblu quarterback came through with considerable help from Punahous senior playmakers and a stingy defense.
Morris, the backup for most of the season, completed 18 of 22 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-0 win over Pac-Five on Saturday at Alexander Field on the Punahou campus.
I was pretty nervous (Friday night), Morris said. I wasnt trying to think about it too much, but the O-line did great and (running back) Steven (Lakalaka) did great.
Lakalaka, one of the Punahou seniors honored after their final home game, rushed for 50 yards and caught a game-high five passes for 49 yards and the fourth-ranked Buffanblu
(8-1, 5-0) remained atop the ILHs Division I standings.
(Pac-Five) is very disciplined and theyve given everybody fits all year long, Punahou head coach Kale Ane said. So were very glad to get this under our belts and move on.
Morris and fellow sophomore Larry Tuileta were locked in a tight competition in the preseason. Tuileta had established himself as the starter since then and the coaches decided to give Morris a shot against a sturdy Wolfpack defense.
Morris opened the game by completing a 34-yard pass to Noah Willey off a flea-flicker to set up Punahous first score of the game, a 5-yard completion to KJSekona.
But that would be the lone score of a first half controlled by the defenses.
On the second play of the third quarter, Morris lofted a pass down the right side toward 6-foot-5 senior receiver Malik Johnson, who pulled in the throw in stride on his way to a 62-yard touchdown.
Were fortunate to have two good young quarterbacks,Ane said. Tuis had most of the reps, and we wanted to give (Morris) an opportunity to play against a good team. He struggled a little bit, but he came back strong and thats what we wanted to see.
It was a little hairy at halftime, but he stepped up and threw a great pass to Malik.
Punahou pulled away in the fourth quarter, with Lakalaka and Jacob Ioane scoring on 1-yard runs with a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown by senior cornerback Kaaha McAfee-Torcos in between.
It was a good game for the defense; we prepared well for them, McAfee-Torco said. It was a neat experience for the last time playing here.
Pac-Fives running game was hampered by injuries, and with starting quarterback Jack Foster also out, the Wolfpack (1-4, 4-4) attempted just four passes and had two intercepted.
It was a one-possession game at half. We got banged up a little bit and ran out of gas, Pac-Five coach Kip Botelho said. They played tough; the quick score in the third quarter killed us.
Both teams will turn their attention to critical divisional games coming up. Punahou faces second-place Kamehameha and Pac-Five takes on Iolani in a key Division II matchup on Saturday at Aloha Stadium.
We have to stay positive and move forward, Botelho said.
At Alexander Field
Pac-Five (1-4, 4-4) 0 0 0 0 0
Punahou (5-0, 8-1) 7 0 7 21 35
PunKJ Sekona 5 pass from Luke Morris (Kaimi Fairbairn kick)
PunMalik Johnson 62 pass from Morris (Fairbairn kick)
PunSteven Lakalaka 1 run (Fairbairn kick)
PunKaaha McAfee-Torco 35 interception return (Fairbairn kick)
PunJacob Ioane 1 run (Fairbairn kick)
RUSHINGPac-Five: Keoni Tom-Millare 4-9, Cyprus Fesili 3-11, Reece Alvarado 7-2, Drew Wilson 8-32, Ben Keller 8-27, Carter Kauwenaole 7-21, Roycen Routt 4-20. Punahou: Lakalaka 11-50, Morris 5-(-9), Cody Lee 2-1, Ioane 1-1, Ryan Tuiasoa 1-11, Jon Matias 1-3, Darreon Schwartz 1-5.
PASSINGPac-Five: Alvarado 1-1-0-2, Wilson 0-3-2-0. Punahou: Morris 18-22-1-239, Fairbairn 1-1-0-10.
RECEIVINGPac-Five: Wilson 1-2. Punahou: Lakalaka 5-49, Lee 3-32, Noah Willey 2-45, Taylor McClafferty 2-10, Johnson 1-62, Keanu Chee 1-10, Tuiasoa 1-10, Austin Sivik 1-10, Brayden Hill 1-10, Tumua Tuinei 1-6, Sekona 1-5.
