Damien snaps ILH losing streak with win over Pac-Five

Damien QB Syles Choy rounds the corner on a keeper against Pac-Five Keita Funakawa | Special to SL

HALAWA — A 17-point second quarter fueled Damien to a 31-14 win over Pac-Five Friday in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu opener for both teams.

It was the Monarchs first ILH victory since Sept. 18, 2009 — when they beat Word of Life, 37-8 — a string of 27 straight league losses.

A crowd of about 800 at Hawaiian Airlines Field at Aloha Stadium saw Damien improve to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in the ILH. Pac-Five, which had beat Damien eight consecutive times, fell to 0-3 overall and 0-1.

The Monarchs rallied from a 14-7 deficit at the end of the first quarter, with their offense reeling off 24 unanswered while their defense shut out the Wolf Pack the rest of the way.

Nicolas Angoco's 32-yard field goal midway through the second quarter cut the Pac-Five lead to 14-10. Following a Wolf Pack three-and-out, the Monarchs drove 80 yards on nine plays, capped by Sylas Choy's 14-yard touchdown pass to Kealii Kaanapu. The PAT was good by Angoco to give Damien a 17-14 lead with two minutes left in the first half.

Another Pac-Five three-and-out ensued and the Monarchs capitalized on a 21-yard scoring strike from Choy to Kepono Kawaakoa with 33 seconds left until halftime.

Damien led, 24-14, at the intermission.

After a scoreless third quarter, Choy extended his team's lead on a 3-yard sneak into the end zone. After the Angoco extra point, Damien led, 31-14, early in the fourth quarter.

Syles Choy completed 11 of 21 passes for 192 yards with one interception. He also rushed for 78 yards on 11 carries.

Damien opened the scoring on a 2-yard Edwin Aumua touchdown run midway through the first quarter before Pac-Five scored on back-to-back drives to take a 14-7 lead. Anthony Canencia found Tsubasa Brennan for a 3-yard touchdown pass and following a successful onside kick — recovered by the Wolf Pack's Jared Kanoa — the pair hook up again three plays later on a 31-yard scoring strike.

Canencia finished 20-of-35 passing for 144 yards with one interception.

Both teams continue ILH play next week with Pac-Five playing Saint Louis Friday and Damien visiting Punahou Saturday.