Kainoa Ferreira threw four touchdown passes and Pac-Five’s defense closed the lid in the second half for a 29-18 win over St. Francis on Friday night at rainy Aloha Stadium.

Pac-Five (3-0 overall) opened the ILH Division II season successfully despite Ferreira throwing four interceptions, all in the second half. Part of that had to do with the rain. Some was about the Saints’ persistent defense, including two picks by Roland Merrill. Much had to do with the scarcity of blockers for Ferreira.

"We had three offensive linemen at practice this week," Wolfpack coach Kip Botelho said of a preponderance of injuries. "We got one back tonight for the game. These guys played their butts off. I’m proud of them."

Ferreira, a junior, passed for 310 yards (19-for-39). His favorite target was Clayce Akeo, who hauled in eight passes for 165 yards and touchdowns of 30 and 85 yards.

The passing game was essential. Pac-Five rushed 13 times for minus-8 yards.

St. Francis’ ground attack wore down the ‘Pack over time. The Saints rushed for 187 yards on 47 carries, including 77 yards and a touchdown by Pono Luis-Mateo. But the Saints were their own worst enemy with 17 penalties for 131 yards, including six illegal-procedure flags in the first half alone.

St. Francis (2-3 overall) trailed 10-0 before getting a 4-yard keeper by backup quarterback Scott McLeod to cut the lead to four points with 4:57 to go in the first half.

But moments later, Ferreira launched a bomb to Akeo near midfield, and the speedster went the rest of the way for an 85-yard touchdown.

The second half was a mess of turnovers due to the rain and some not-so-crisp decisions. The teams combined for seven giveaways after intermission. The Saints got within 23-12 on a 7-yard run by Luis-Mateo with 9:38 left in the third quarter, but couldn’t hold onto the football after that.

The Wolfpack extended the lead to 29-12 on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Ferreira to Daven Pila with 5:30 remaining.

Defensive back Ezra Inayoshi-Dudoit made things interesting by returning an interception 29 yards for a TD with 1:04 left, but it was much too late..