Punahou captures ILH crown

Not wanting to extend the drama any longer than necessary, Punahou wrapped up the ILH Division I title with a week to spare.

The second-ranked Buffanblu retained the crown and earned the ILH’s lone berth in the Division I state tournament by turning a tight game into a 38-0 rout of No. 7 Saint Louis on Friday night at Aloha Stadium.

"It’s a stressful season any time in the ILH," Punahou head coach Kale Ane said. "The teams are so evenly matched. To get to the states is a huge accomplishment."

Punahou quarterback Larry Tuileta threw four touchdown passes, three coming in the second half as the Buffanblu pulled away from the Crusaders and clinched a second straight trip to the state tournament.

The Punahou defense did its part in defending the league title by completing the shutout as the Buffanblu improved to 6-0 in ILH play and 7-1 overall. Punahou closes the regular season against Kamehameha on Thursday.

"The kids played awesome and the coaches did a great job preparing us,"Ane said.

Saint Louis closed Matt Wright’s first season as head coach at 4-3 in the ILH and

5-5 overall.

Punahou played without big-play receiver Kanawai Noa due to an ankle injury. But the Buffanblu still had ample firepower, with Tuileta completing passes to six different receivers.

Tuileta used the short passing game to move the chains, and completed five passes to running back Ryan Tuiasoa for 79 yards and a score. Tight end Dakota Torres also caught five passes for 83 yards and two TDs.

"Other kids stepped up and the line gave Tui time to throw and we ran the ball and did the things we needed to do be successful," Ane said.

Punahou took the lead on a 27-yard field goal by Charles McDonald and scored the lone touchdown of the half late in the second quarter to take a 10-0 lead into halftime.

On their fourth possession of the game, the Buffanblu marched 78 yards in a 10-play drive. Tuileta extended the drive on fourth and 2 with a short toss to Kotoni Sekona that the burly running back turned into a 15-yard gain to the Saint Louis 19.

After a Punahou penalty, Tuileta hit Keanu Chee coming across the middle for a 16-yard completion and followed with an 8-yard touchdown toss to Torres with 56 seconds left in the half.

Saint Louis alternated quarterbacks for most of the half, with Kawai Mook-Garcia and Ryder Kuhns splitting snaps. But the Crusaders couldn’t establish much rhythm while generating 119 yards in total offense before halftime.

Punahou stopped the Crusaders on downs to open the third quarter, then drove 64 yards in eight plays and stretched the lead to 17-0 after Tuileta’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Noah Willey.

"We talked about trying to stop them the first drive and keep the momentum and create some separation," Ane said.

Saint Louis put together a drive deep into Punahou territory but had a touchdown run called back by a holding penalty. Two sacks and a delay of game pushed the Crusaders back and Joseph Augafa intercepted Mook-Garcia’s deep pass on fourth and 36.

Tuileta again marched the Buffanblu downfield and stretched the lead to 24-0 on a 13-yard pass to Tuiasoa.

He added a 36-yarder to Torres in the fourth quarter and Heisman Hosoda capped the scoring with a 38-yard run late in the game.

"The coaches really saw what was open and what they were giving us," Tuileta said.

"I threw a couple swing passes and (the receivers) made some good moves, the blocking was incredible. I couldn’t ask for more."

No. 8 ‘Iolani 36, Damien 10

Yuuya Kato ran for the Raiders’ first two touchdowns and quarterback Reece Foy threw for the next three and ‘Iolani maintained a one-game lead in the ILH Division II standings with one week left to play.

The Raiders (3-3 ILH, 6-3) close the regular season next week against Pac-Five (2-4, 3-6). Damien ended its season at 0-7 in the ILH and 3-7 overall.

Kato rushed for 114 yards on 17 carries and Foy finished with 209 passing yards.

‘Iolani drove 41 yards on seven plays on its opening drive and took the lead on Kato’s 2 -yard run. A 46-yard completion on an option pass to quarterback Syles Choy helped set up a Damien field goal. The teams then traded interceptions deep in Damien territory and Kato scored on a 4-yard run.

The Raiders stretched the lead to 22-3 when Foy completed a 24-yard touchdown pass to Chad Hanaoka with 5:33 left in the second quarter.

Foy added touchdown passes to Austin Ohira and Tanner Nishioka in the third quarter as the Raiders pulled away.

OIA White: Jackson, Seei lead Radford

Senior running back Chris Jackson scored on touchdown runs of 37, 47 and 59 yards and junior defensive lineman Ammon Seei returned a fumble and an interception for scores as Radford beat Kalaheo 63-39 in an OIA White playoff semifinal game.