Posted at 10:20 p.m., Monday, November 14, 2005
Punahou wins first title in 28 years
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
An Aloha Stadium crowd of 6,124 saw the No. 3 Buffanblu (9-2 overall, 6-2 ILH) become the second different ILH champion in as many years after Saint Louis (8-4, 6-3) had a record run of 18 in a row from 1986 to 2003.
Kamehameha won the title last season. Punahou will play O'ahu Interscholastic Association runner-up 'Aiea in an opening-round game of the Division I state tournament Saturday at the stadium.
"It's unreal," Punahou senior receiver Zac Yamagishi said. "It's been our goal for the season. We're going to the states. Unreal."
Quarterback Brett Kan's two touchdown passes - a 22-yarder to Yamagishi in the first quarter and a 10-yarder to Miah Ostrowski in the second - was all the offense the Buffanblu needed.
An incredible defensive effort allowed only 108 yards to the Crusaders.
Saint Louis was playing its third game in 10 days as the ILH was forced into an unprecedented playoff after Saint Louis, Punahou and Kamehameha finished the regular-season in a three-way tie for first. Saint Louis defeated Kamehameha in last Wednesday's playoff as Punahou drew a bye.
