In a shootout that never materialized, No. 9 'Iolani played tough defense to beat No. 10 Pac-Five, 31-3, last night in Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division II football at Kunuiakea Stadium at Kamehameha.

A gash in Wolfpack quarterback P.J. Minaya's right (throwing) hand hampered his team's passing attack and the Raiders' defense made two crucial stops when Pac-Five reached inside 'Iolani's 5 in the first quarter to keep it low scoring early. In fact, it looked like it was going to be a battle of field goal kickers as each side booted one before the half with 'Iolani leading 10-3.

"He couldn't grip the ball," Pac-Five coach Kip Botelho said of Minaya, whose gash was caused when he hit another player's face mask after a throw early in the game. "But he's a warrior. He stayed in and played. We were going to take him out. That's why we had to run the ball. That just changed the whole game plan. We were going to air it out."

Still, Minaya completed 23 of 36 passes for 203 yards.

Pac-Five also was without receiver Darin Kamealoha, the team's second-leading receiver, who didn't play at all because of an injury.

"Obviously, that's the main guy," 'Iolani coach Wendell Look said of Minaya. "Not having Kamealoha, too, was a big. But the other (receivers) are pretty good, too. When he hurt his throwing hand, that handicapped them."

The Raiders (5-1 overall, 3-0 ILH) were able to pull away in the second half against the obviously frustrated Wolfpack, who had 10 penalties for 105 yards, including several personal fouls and an unsportsmanlike conduct fouls. The only TD pass of the game — the two teams combined for 40 TD receptions entering the game — came on Jarrett Arakawa's 11-yarder to Kevin Barayuga with 4:11 in the third quarter to make it 17-3. An early fourth-quarter 4-yard TD run by running back Alex Matsunami — his second TD run of the game — made it 24-3.

On Pac-Five's ensuing possession, 'Iolani's defense struck for a score, when Seali'i Epenesa sacked and forced Minaya to fumble for a 10-yard loss and Greg Lum returned the loose ball 10 yards for a TD to make it 31-3 with 11:47 left in the game.

Arakawa finished 16 of 25 for 141 yards.

The Raiders had injury issues of their own, as they were without running back Ammon Baldomero, the team's leading rusher with 312 yards. But Matsunami filled in, picking up a modest 49 yards, but scored twice. Baldomero had an ankle injury in last week's game against Word of Life.

"He filled in nicely," Look said. "He's been a pleasant surprise. We moved him from slot to running back this year."

Pac-Five fell to 4-2 overall and 1-2 in the ILH.

'IOLANI (5-1, 3-0) 7 3 7 14—31

PAC-FIVE (4-2, 1-2) 0 3 0 0— 3

Iol—Alex Matsunami 2 run (Andrew Skalman kick).

Pac—FG Brendan Sagucio 38.

Iol—FG Skalman 24.

Iol—Kevin Barayuga 11 pass from Jarrett Arakawa (Skalman kick).

Iol—Matsunami 4 run (Skalman kick).

Iol—Greg Lum 10 fumble return (Skalman kick).

RUSHING—'Iolani: Jarrett Arakawa 2-12, Matsunami 14-49, Kevin Barayuga 2-4, Kasey Takahashi 2-1, Maika Kealoha 5-18, Dane Arakawa 1-18, Team 1-(minus 22). Pac-Five; P.J. Minaya 5-(minus 44), Team 2-(minus 50), Darius Anderson 9-8, Chalson Baition 1-11, Ikaika Karney 1-0, Kyle Camacho 1-(minus 2).

PASSING—'Iolani: Arakawa 16-25-0—141. Pac-Five: Minaya 23-36-0—203, Logan Murakami 1-6-0—7, Jack Foster 4-8-1—37.

RECEIVING—'Iolani: Trevyn Tulonghari 9-70, Barayuga 2-18, Kasey Takahashi 3-42, Matt Talavera 2-11. Pac-Five: Baition 7-45, Everett Kim 6-54, London Amorin 9-97, Anderson 2-8, Jordan Doi 3-33, Karney 1-10.