Kapolei is just two games into its schedule, but head coach Darren Hernandez sees the Hurricanes defense performing at a level well beyond that point.

The Hurricanes turned in its second stifling outing of the season in a 21-0 nonconference victory over McKinley on Friday at Roosevelt’s Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium.

Through eight quarters, the Hurricanes have given up just seven points; they held the Tigers to 150 yards in total offense on Friday.

"Our defense has been playing lights out. I love the way they fly around," Hernandez said.

"I think the timing of our offense, we need to get better. Defensively, I like the way they’re playing. They’re almost in midseason form, so we need to continue to build on that performance."

Kapolei running back Mana Reis provided the offense’s scoring with a 3-yard touchdown run to cap the game’s opening drive and a 19-yard run in the third quarter.

With junior middle linebacker Micah Paris leading the way, the Kapolei defense protected the lead in allowing four first downs in the second half.

McKinley’s offense ran just one play in Kapolei territory after halftime and that resulted in a 53-yard interception return for a touchdown by Hurricanes defensive back Mason Alfaro for the game’s final points.

Hernandez also credited the special teams for setting the tone. Jacob Kukahiko fielded the opening kickoff and returned it 36 yards to the McKinley 36. The Hurricanes needed five plays to take the lead, with Reis covering the final 10 yards on a 7-yard blast up the middle followed by his 3-yard scoring run.

The Kapolei offense generated just 54 yards over the rest of the first half, but the Hurricanes held McKinley to 81 total yards and thwarted four Tigers possessions with fourth-down stops.

Reis added to Kapolei’s lead with a 19-yard run around the left side of the line at the 4:55 mark of the third quarter.

Kapolei kept the Tigers on their side of midfield until the 4:45 mark of the fourth quarter. Alfaro then picked off a pass with open field in front of him and pushed the Hurricanes’ lead to 21-0.

For McKinley, the Tigers’ opening game also served as an introduction to the OIA Red Conference. The Tigers move into the OIA Red East this season after two years in the White conference.

"We have to give respect to the fact that we’re now in the Red Division," McKinley coach Joe Cho said. "This is big-time football in Hawaii.

"Kapolei knows what it is to play in the Red. Our kids have to learn that and I think eventually we will and hopefully it’ll start next week."

McKinley (0-1) opens conference play next week against Kaimuki, while Kapolei (2-0) faces Waipahu.