The McKinley High School football team returned last night's opening kickoff against Kahuku 60 yards and advanced to the Red Raiders' 10-yard line, but its hopes for an upset sank considerably on the next play.

Starting quarterback Tilton Kaluna's pass over the middle was tipped and then intercepted by Suaesi Tuimaunei, and Kaluna suffered a concussion after making the tackle.

With Kaluna out, McKinley's offense was throttled and Kahuku cruised to a 37-0 victory. The Red Raiders scored all of their points in the first half and the final two quarters were played with a running clock.

"Tilton is a big part of our offense and big part of our team," Tigers coach William Moeava said. "But give Kahuku credit. They came out and played a great game."

The Red Raiders, ranked No. 1 in The Advertiser's statewide Top 10 poll of coaches and media, improved to 2-0 overall in their O'ahu Interscholastic Association opener. McKinley fell to 2-2 overall, 1-1 in the OIA's Red Conference Eastern Division.

Kahuku had not played since a 16-0 victory over No. 2 Kamehameha on Aug. 19.

"We were tired of hitting our own color (jerseys)," said senior defensive end B.J. Beatty. "We had to wait for months just to play Kamehameha, and then we had to wait three more weeks to play this game."

Once the Red Raiders got that first turnover, they wasted no time in getting untracked. Kahuku went 83 yards in just four plays, scoring on Kaulin Krebs' 12-yard pass to Jason Evans.

McKinley fumbled the ball away on its first play from scrimmage after the ensuing kickoff, and the Red Raiders cashed in eight plays later on Kamuela Alisa's 10-yard touchdown run.

On the Tigers' next possession, their punter stepped out of the end zone for a safety, making the score 16-0 with 1:38 remaining in the quarter.

Kahuku then went 84 yards in five plays, with Alisa scoring on a 27-yard zig-zag scamper to help put the Red Raiders up 23-0.

"I think that interception (by Tuimaunei) set the tone for the rest of the game," Beatty said.

Moeava said McKinley's first scoring opportunity proved to be its best and last.

"We were hoping they would be rusty and we were trying to feed off of a big play," Moeava said. "But Kahuku has great athletic ability and they play so hard."

The game was delayed about 25 minutes as Kaluna was immobilized and taken away by ambulance. Moeava said Kaluna was moving his limbs.

KAHUKU (2-0, 1-0) 23 14 0 0 — 37

MCKINLEY (2-2, 1-1) 0 0 0 0 — 0

Kah—Jason Evans 12 pass from Kaulin Krebs (kick failed)

Kah—Kamuela Alisa 10 run (Alisa run)

Kah—Safety, punter stepped out of end zone

Kah—Alisa 27 run (Gary Nagy kick)

Kah—Evans 18 pass from Krebs (Nagy kick)

Kah—Jason Mauai 1 run (Nagy Kick)

RUSHING—Kah: Alisa 9-128, Malosi Te'o 7-43, Lehi Aumua 5-33, Mauai 3-18, Krebs 2-35, Jacob Kahawai'i 2-8, Ian Fujinaga 2-7, Simi Alo 1-6, Blane Beatty 1-2. McK: Junior Haloti 10-1, Austin Yoon 4-(minus-4), Alan Hashimoto 1-25.

PASSING—Kah: Krebs 5-9-1—79, Kahawai'i 3-7-0—50. McK: Yoon 6-15-3—34, Tilton Kaluna 1-2-1—(minus-1).

RECEIVING—Kah: Evans 4-67, Redmond Tutor 1-31, Devin Unga 1-18, Alo 1-8, Tuvili Tuisavura 1-5. McK: Joshua Ward 2-19, Joshua Nakama 1-6, Rocky Miyagi 1-5, Haloti 1-4, Juliano Ahlstrand 1-0, Earvin Sione 1-(minus-1).

JV score: Kahuku 21, McKinley 0

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.