After regaining nearly 20 players who were academically ineligible or injured, Nanakuli appears to be clicking on all cylinders.

The Golden Hawks relied on a fluid offense and tenacious “D” en route to a 28-14 victory over Kalaheo in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II season opener for both squads at Kailua High School on Saturday evening.

Nanakuli junior quarterback Nainoa Banks threw for 80 yards and two scores while also posting a 43-yard touchdown run. Running back Sunshine Anuenue was Nanakuli’s workhorse on the ground, as the senior amassed 84 yards on 13 carries, the majority of which came in the second half.

Golden Hawks slotback Clifford Cunningham had a game to remember, including a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to open the second half. The junior also caught a touchdown, had an 8-yard run, converted two extra-point kicks and ran for a 2-point conversion.

The Nanakuli defense also impressed and held the Mustangs (0-2, 0-1 OIA) to 225 yards of offense, including minus 15 on the ground (Kalaheo was held to minus 11 yards rushing in the first half).

“We have a long ways to go, and our guys know it, and everyone wants to take us down; we have a big target on our backs,” said Nanakuli coach Keala Watson of his defending OIA D-II regular-season and playoff champion squad. “Guys stepped up big-time, including Sunshine Anuenue with some huge conversions on third down. We need to continue to be diverse with playmakers all over the field.”

Nanakuli (1-1, 1-0) surged ahead 13-0 after Banks connected with Isain Wong-Lonzanida on a 14-yard touchdown pass to complete a 76-yard drive. The scoring stanza was bolstered by a 16-yard run on fourth down by Randy Manewa, who lined up in the backfield to punt but executed the fake perfectly and ran for the first down and more.

Banks used his legs to put his squad up 20-0 midway through the second quarter, as the shifty quarterback scampered 43 yards up the middle on an option keeper that fooled the defensive backfield, which committed to the running back’s fake.

Kalaheo quarterback Mark Lerhner started under center for the second consecutive game and completed 20 of 38 passes for 231 yards and two third-quarter touchdowns. Lerhner, a junior, earned the starting nod after senior gunslinger Tommy Capllonch was ruled academically ineligible to begin the season.