Damien is not about to concede the Interscholastic League of Honolulu's Division II football championship to highly touted Iolani — not with the season just beginning.

The Monarchs, the 2003 Division II state runner-up, made it clear they would contend yesterday with a 41-3 pounding of Pac-Five in the ILH opener for both teams at Aloha Stadium.

It was the largest margin of victory by Damien since a 49-7 win over the Hummers (Pac-Five's predecessor) in 1974 and improved the Monarchs' overall record to 3-1, one of the best starts in their 41-year history.

"We didn't have a good season last year, so we want to turn it around," said senior running back Kealoha Pilares, who rushed for 168 yards and three touchdowns on just nine carries and added a 76-yard kickoff return for another TD. "We were working hard all summer, and we have good senior leadership."

Damien established itself early yesterday, marching 74 yards in eight plays and taking a 6-0 lead on Pilares' 18-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter. The Wolfpack (2-3) fumbled away the ensuing kickoff, and the Monarchs cashed in three plays later with James Skizewski's 6-yard TD pass to Breydan Torres.

After a Pac-Five three-and-out, Damien scored again on a 71-yard scamper by Pilares, who broke through the line and darted outside and down the left sideline untouched. Jowyn Alapai's extra point made it 21-0 with 1:32 remaining in the first quarter.

"He's real quick and has great speed," Wolfpack coach Kip Botelho said of Pilares. "All he needs is a little opening, and he's gone."

Pilares scored again on a 12-yard run midway through the second quarter, then David Tuiasosopo blocked a punt and it was recovered in the end zone by Lesao Maikai-Iakopo to put the Monarchs up 35-0.

Damien outgained Pac-Five 247 yards to 104 in the first half, with Pilares gaining all 168 of his yards in the first two quarters.

"I owe everything to the (offensive) line," Pilares said. "With them blocking the way they did, it made my job easier."

Monarchs co-coach Dean Nakagawa credited linemen Eddie Williams, Bronson Tiwanak, Timo Gasolo and Alapai with leading the surge.

"Most of those guys have been here two or three years, and they want to attack and win (the battle) on the line of scrimmage," Nakagawa said.

Botelho said he knew Damien would be physical up front but was still disappointed in how easily it moved the ball.

"We expected to do a lot better, especially with eight guys in the box most of the time," he said. "We made a whole bunch of mistakes, mainly with focus and game awareness."

Iolani, the ILH's third Division II team, had a bye. The Raiders (3-1) are ranked No. 4 in The Advertiser's statewide Top 10 poll of coaches and media.

DAMIEN (3-1, 1-0) 21 14 6 0—41

PAC-FIVE (2-3, 0-1) 0 3 0 0— 3

DAM — KEALOHA PILARES 18 RUN (KICK FAILED)

Dam — Breydan Torres 6 pass from James Skizewski (Pilares run)

DAM — PILARES 71 RUN (JOWYN ALAPAI KICK)

DAM — PILARES 12 RUN (ALAPAI KICK)

Dam — Lesao Maikai-Iakopo recovered blocked punt in end zone (Alapai kick)

PAC — FG JOSH MUN 36

DAM — PILARES 76 KICK RETURN (KICK FAILED)

RUSHING — Dam: Pilares 9-168, Sheldon Bailey 5-25, Skizewski 2-(minus-11), Bronson Ahakuelo 2-8, Jonathan Kaina 1-0. Pac: Royce Alvarado 6-9, Bryson Beirne 14-44, Phillip Sarubbi 2-0, Gabriel Fernandez 1-3, Jon-Ray Rodrigues 1-(minus-11).

PASSING — Dam: Skizewski 7-10-2—52, George Martin 3-4-0—9. Pac: Beirne 12-19-0—82, Jordan Ho-Ching 0-1-0, Rodrigues 0-1-0.

RECEIVING — Dam: Bailey 3-30, Kenneth Rossi 1-4, Torres 2-14, Bronson Sonico 2-6, Shane Philpot 1-1, Kaina 1-6. Pac: Ho-Ching 5-35, Alvarado 2-4, Fernandez 1-2, Matthew Bayan 2-23, Matt Shibata 2-18.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.