Wai'anae runs through 'Aiea, 35-20

Waianae WR Noa Nakamoto makes a reception for a touchdown against Aiea. Peter Caldwell | SL

'AIEA -- After an 0-2 start to the O'ahu Interscholastic Association football season, Wai'anae suddenly is just a half-game out of first place in the Red Conference Western Division following Friday night's 35-20 victory over 'Aiea.

The Seariders improved to 4-3 overall and 3-2 in the Red West, just a half-game behind first-place Mililani (5-1, 3-1). Na Ali'i fell to 3-3, 1-3.

Wai'anae wasted little time getting untracked Friday, as linebacker Brandon Johnston tipped and intercepted a pass on the second play from scrimmage and turned into a pick-six with a 12-yard return to the end zone. Jacoby Cid's extra point made it 7-0 just 53 seconds after kickoff.

The Seariders extended the lead to 14-0 near the end of the quarter, after Kekoa Kaluhiokalani threw a laser to Po'okela Noa Nakamoto on a 17-yard crossing pattern for the score.

It later became 21-0 after Jemery Willes' 1-yard touchdown plunge on fourth-and-goal.

'Aiea cut it to 21-7 on Mana Ka'ahanui's 1-yard TD run and Jae Won Huh's PAT just 44 seconds before halftime, but Wai'anae pushed the lead again with Alaka'i Kealoha's 38-yard scoring scamper and another extra point by Cid to make it 28-7 with 1:03 remaining in the second quarter..

The Seariders sealed the deal in the fourth quarter on Emil Muraoka's 12-yard touchdown run.

A 50-yard pass from Shaenan Hernandez-Fonoti to Kamakana Apelu helped set up Samate Talia's 15-yard run to paydirt with 1:17 remaining in the game, and Na Ali'i recovered the ensuing onside kick. 'Aiea then closed it to 35-20 six plays later on Hernandez-Fonoti's 1-yard TD pass to Kalei Li'ili'i, but only nine seconds remained and Wai'anae recovered the ensuing onside kick.

Kennedy Tuimaseali'i, a 6-foot-2, 290-pound senior defensive tackle, was a force on defense for the Seariders, contributing with four sacks and a fumble recovery.

Apelu finished with seven catches for 109 yards for Na Ali'i.