Punahou holds on for 14-6 win over top-ranked Kamehameha
By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer
The state's top-ranked football team has fallen.
Punahou, behind its run-and-shoot offense, stingy defense and stellar special teams, pulled off a shocker, knocking off previously undefeated Kamehameha, 14-6, in an Interscholastic League of Honolulu game last night at Aloha Stadium.
Kamehameha and No. 3 Saint Louis, both 5-1, will meet next Saturday in the ILH's season finale. The winner will claim the league championship and the ILH's only berth in the state Division I tournament.
Punahou (3-3) entered the game in last place in ILH Division I before last night's game, but coach Kale Ane said his team was eager to prove it could compete with the Warriors.
"We're not worried about spoiling it for anybody, we just wanted to prove we could play with one of the best teams in the state and the kids really wanted to come out and make a statement and they did," Ane said.
Kamehameha's final drive ended with two minutes remaining when quarterback Pono Kam's pass was intercepted by Chris Shiramizu near mid-field. Punahou then ran out the clock.
Punahou's John Morris completed 20 of 36 passes for 265 yards, and receiver Koa Duncan caught eight passes for 131 yards and a touchdown.
"It's my line giving me great protection, my receivers running great routes and it's a great feeling right now," Morris said.
If Kamehameha had won last night, it would have had a one-game lead over Saint Louis. If the two teams had finished in a tie at the end of the regular season, they would have had a playoff for the league title and state berth the following week.
The only way a playoff would occur is if the Saint Louis and Kamehameha game finishes in a tie next Saturday.
The only points of the first half were set up after Punahou's Derek Hinkley blocked Brad Nakamura's punt and the ball rolled out of bounds at the Kamehameha 10. Three plays later, Micah Strickland scored from 3 yards out.
"We put a special block in hopes we had a chance to use it and it worked out really well," Ane said.
Kamehameha took the opening kickoff of the second half and drove 71 yards on 14 plays, with T.J. Kuahine scoring from a yard out midway through the third quarter. Nakamura's extra-point kick was no good.
Punahou went up 14-6 when Morris hit Duncan on a crossing pattern, and Duncan broke a tackle on the right sideline and scored on a 40-yard play.
"Koa has a great sense on the field. I love to throw to him," Morris said.
Kamehameha had 231 yards of total offense, but was repeatedly turned back by Punahou.
"We had some adversity on offense," Kamehameha coach Kanani Souza said. "Our offense tried their best, give Punahou all the credit."
Kamehameha punted on its first four possessions and ran only 13 plays.
The Warriors' deepest penetration on their first four drives was to their own 38-yard line.
On their fifth drive, Kamehameha picked up two first downs and reached the Punahou 24, but Jayson Rego missed on a 44-yard field-goal attempt.
Punahou's average starting field position on its six first-half possessions was its 43, while Kamehameha's average start on its six drives was its 25.
PUNAHOU (3-3, 5-4) 0 7 7 0—14
KAMEHAMEHA (5-1, 7-1) 0 0 6 0— 6
- Pun—Micah Strickland 3 run (Chris Takemoto-Gentile kick)
- Kam—T.J. Kuahine 1 run (kick failed)
- Pun—Koa Duncan 40 pass John Morris (TakemotoGentile kick)
RUSHING—Punahou: Strickland 14-19, Morris 8-(minus 40). Kamehameha: Sy Cullen 7-11, Kuahine 15-65, Pono Kam 7-8, Kamuela Kapanui 2-17.
PASSING—Punahou: Morris 20-36-1—265. Kamehameha: Kam 14-26-1—127.
RECEIVING—Punahou: Duncan 8-131, Strickland 1-(minus 6), Cameron Grace 4-75, Chad Tamashiro 6-61, Reyn Wicklund 1-4. Kamehameha: Matt Coehlo 2-24, Waika Spencer 3-36, Ikaika Hardie 6-40, Kapanui 1-7, Cullen 1-7, Andrew Taeoalii 1-13.
Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8041.
