Keoni Tom-Millare’s conversion from wide receiver to running back has worked just fine.

The senior rushed for 61 yards and three touchdowns, turned a short pass into a 76-yard touchdown and even threw a 75-yard pass as Pac-Five defeated Damien 40-12 Friday night at Aloha Stadium.

Tom-Millare, a basketball standout for St. Francis, had a breakout game recently with a 150-yard rushing performance against ‘Iolani. This time, coach Kip Botelho put the versatile 5-foot-11, 180-pound athlete to all kinds of use, including several snaps as a wildcat quarterback behind two big backs, including 270-pound fullback Noah Oleyer.

Pac-Five improved to 1-2 in Interscholastic League of Honolulu play (2-4 overall) with a defense that bent but would not break. Damien’s Kyle Sato earned a workmanlike 100 rushing yards on 26 carries, but didn’t find the end zone. ’Pack defensive back Nick Kwon was active again with an interception and fumble recovery.

Meanwhile, Pac-Five quarterback Cody Kim was efficient, completing eight of his 12 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns.

Coach Eddie Klaneski’s Monarchs dominated time of possession in the first half but self-destructed with two interceptions. Their first drive turned into a pick-6 by Pac-Five defensive back Nohea Thomsen. The 78-yard return on a short pass gave Pac-Five a lead it didn’t relinquish.

Damien got on the scoreboard on the final play of the first quarter, a 41-yard bomb from Syles Choy to Bryson Dalmacio. The PAT kick was blocked, however, and Pac-Five had a 7-6 lead.

The ’Pack needed just three plays to score again. Kim hit Tom-Millare with a short pass, and the senior used a juke move and a spin to get free for a 76-yard touchdown. They led 14-6 with 11:28 to go in the second quarter.

A pick by Kwon set up Pac-Five’s next drive, which finished with a 34-yard pass from Kim to Roycen Routt on fourth and 1. Routt’s touchdown gave the ’Pack a 21-6 lead with 4:09 left in the first half.

Tom-Millare’s halfback option pass to Tsubasa Brennan for 75 yards set up the ’Pack’s next score. Tom-Millare scored from the 1 for a 27-6 lead with 58 seconds to go before intermission.

Damien drove to the Wolfpack 1-yard line early in the third quarter, but Sato was stopped for a loss by Pac-Five lineman Duane Teem on fourth down.

A pick by Jameson White three plays later set up Damien’s final touchdown, a 7-yard pass from Choy to Kealii Kaanapu, cutting the lead to 27-12 with 3:41 remaining in the third quarter.

Tom-Millare’s next touchdown, a 27-yard blast on the right side, opened the lead to 34-12 with 50 seconds left in the third.