A 74-yard touchdown run on the game’s first play from scrimmage set the pace for a shootout between Kaiser and host Aiea on Friday night.

While Kaiser running back Jensen McDaniel struck the first blow on his way to a 246-yard performance, the last of Aiea quarterback Kobe Kato’s five touchdown passes gave Na Alii a wild 47-43 victory.

Four of Kato’s touchdown passes went to Pohaku Kealoha-Cambe, including the 13-yard go-ahead score with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Kealoha-Cambe finished with six catches for 148 yards, while Kato threw for 252 yards.

The Aiea defense accounted for a score in the second quarter and came up with two stops in the fourth to preserve the win for Na Alii.

McDaniel ran for 176 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries in the first half and added another score in the third quarter, while quarterback Nicolas Tom ran for 127 yards and a touchdown and threw for a score in the roller-coaster battle.

The fireworks started early, with McDaniel bursting through the middle for a 74-yard touchdown run on the game’s opening play from scrimmage.

Na Alii answered with Kato throwing the first of his three first-half touchdown passes, a 48-yarder to Kealoha-Cambe.

The Cougars and Na Alii traded two touchdowns each and with Aiea leading 21-20, Na Alii linebacker Rocky Atuatasi finally broke serve with an interception in Kaiser territory. On fourth-and-12, Aiea running back Isaiah Ripley scooped up an errant snap and ran through the middle of the Kaiser defense for a 27-yard touchdown run.

The Aiea defense added to the lead when Cisco Fejeran stripped the ball out of Kaiser quarterback Tom’s hand and defensive end Brian Taamalemalo-Nasau returned the fumble 46 yards to give Na Alii a 33-20 lead.

After Tom led the Cougars deep into Aiea territory, an incomplete pass on fourth down appeared to end the half.

But a roughing the passer penalty extended the quarter and Andrew Kaufusi hit a 24-yard field goal to close a wild half with Aiea ahead 33-23.

Kaiser cut further into the lead when Emmett Garcia returned an interception 20 yards for a touchdown 43 seconds into the third quarter.

After Kato hit Kealoha-Cambe down the sideline for a 60-yard touchdown, Kaiser jumped ahead on McDaniel’s third scoring run of the night and Isaiah Pongasi-Adric’s 17-yard reception from Tom.

Aiea responded again with Kato connecting with Kealoha-Cambe on a 17-yard slant to give Na Alii a 47-43 lead with 10 minutes left.