Fans looking for an offensive explosion at Leilehua’s Hugh Yoshida Stadium came to the wrong place Friday night.

Relentless defense was in vogue during a wild Oahu Interscholastic Association football contest as unranked Aiea upset No. 4 Leilehua 18-16.

The biggest offensive play of the night came midway through the fourth quarter, and it finally helped push Na Alii ahead for good.

Trailing 16-15, Aiea running back Mana Kaahanui rumbled 45 yards to the Leilehua 10-yard line. With 3:37 left, Jae Won Huh kicked a 27-yard field goal for what turned out to be the winning margin.

The Mules had one last chance, taking over with 3:29 left and driving past midfield, but penalties pushed them back. Levi Castanares’ desperation fourth-down pass went in and out of the hands of a jumping Conrad Supnet deep in Aiea territory, and the home fans’ cheers for what they thought was going to be a catch faded away.

"Yes, it’s disappointing, but we hurt ourselves," said Leilehua coach Nolan Tokuda, whose team fell from the unbeaten ranks.

"Aiea played solid defense and they made the plays."

The game had 17 punts in what was a battle for field position all night.

Michael Taliulu had two interceptions and a touchdown-saving tackle to spearhead Na Alii’s defense.

"This means everything," Taliulu said. "There were a lot of doubters out there. We came out strong and worked all together. We could not have done this without everybody working together."

The Leilehua defense owned the first half and converted two Na Alii mistakes into points.

The Mules (3-1, 1-1) struck for a 7-0 lead on the game’s second play from scrimmage when defensive back Brandon Funakoshi scooped up an errant pitch by Aiea quarterback Shaenan Hernandez-Fonoti and rumbled 17 yards for a touchdown.

Another pitch gone wrong led to the Mules’ 9-0 bulge. This time, at his own 5, Hernandez-Fonoti pitched to running back Jarrel Chaviera in the end zone, where he was flattened by Samson Zimmerman of the Mules.

Aiea (3-1, 1-1), looming just outside of the Star-Advertiser’s Top 10, showed its gumption by holding off a Leilehua drive as time ran out in the first half. Taliulu saved a touchdown by dragging down Mules receiver Josh Jenks, who appeared to be off to the races for a score after catching a screen pass and picking up some key blocks.

The Mules got to the 18, but failed to build on their lead when Brennon Jacinto’s 35-yard field-goal try hit a pile of players on the line. The ball bounced off the ground a few times and went into the hands of Aiea’s Ualesi Sale.

Na Alii stormed back early in the second half. A bad snap from center to Leilehua quarterback Justin Jenks resulted in a loss of 28 yards. Aiea’s Benjamin Taliulu beat Jenks to the loose ball at the Leilehua 5. Two plays later, Kaahanui scored from 5 yards out to make it 9-7.

Jenks was hurt on the play and didn’t return.

A short Leilehua punt gave Aiea the ball at the Mules’ 19 and three plays later, Kaahanui was in the end zone with his second TD, this time from 8 yards out with 17 seconds to go in the third quarter. Na Alii went up 15-9 when backup quarterback Isaiah Hernandez-Fonoti hit Samate Talia with a 2-point pass.

Shai Pulawa’s interception for Leilehua led to Castanares’ 3-yard touchdown toss to Keannu Kamakaiwi for a 16-15 Mules lead with 6:01 left.

It set the stage for Aiea’s big comeback.

Despite the loss, Leilehua’s tenacious pass rushers accounted for six sacks, including two by Andrew Sesepasara.

Sage Maialoha recorded two sacks for Na Alii.