Despite the final score Friday night, the Interscholastic League of Honolulu opener between then-No. 3 Kamehameha and second-ranked Saint Louis was much closer than meets the eye.

The Warriors won the game, 38-17, but that was only after an incredible fourth-quarter defensive charge that turned the tide in their favor and eventually led to the downfall of the Crusaders.

By now, you know that the Kamehameha defense intercepted Ryder Kuhns — who entered the game with a completion percentage just north of 72 percent and a 7 to 0 touchdown-to-interception ratio to boot — three times in the final six minutes of the game, including a pair of pick-6’s, but upon second glance, some of the “other” numbers from the game might surprise you:

-Saint Louis ran the ball 20 times for a meager 14 yards (0.7 yards per rush), including minus-16 yards after halftime. Running back Adam Noga carried just seven times for a total of four yards and was dropped for either no gain or a loss on five of his attempts. The Crusaders picked up just one first down by rush all night.

-Kamehameha ran the ball 42 times for 185 yards (4.4 yards per rush), including 115 second-half yards. Running back Kainoa Simao, who had just three carries for six yards at halftime, finished with 87 yards on 16 attempts. The Warriors notched 11 first downs by rush.

-With just over four minutes left in the third quarter, Kuhns had just completed his fifth consecutive pass attempt and six of his last eight. He was 11-of-15 passing for 189 yards with two touchdowns at that point. He finished 16-of-31 for 260 yards with three interceptions. In case you haven't already done the math, that means Kuhns completed 5 of his final 16 throws for 71 yards. Two of his interceptions came on consecutive passes.

-Saint Louis converted 30 percent (3 of 10) of its third downs, including 0 of 4 in the second half. Kamehameha converted 61 percent (8 of 13) of its third downs, including 5 of 7 in the second half.

Leilehua dumps Vincent Massey in non-league finale

While the rest of the OIA Red West Conference battled each other Friday night, Leilehua hosted an opponent from far beyond the shores of the 50th state.

Vincent Massey traveled nearly 4,000 yards from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada to Hugh Yoshida Stadium for a non-league date with the Mules. The visiting Trojans took time out in the days leading up the game to enjoy some of the natural beauty around Oahu. The game itself, however, was an ugly one for Vincent Massey.

Leilehua built a 45-0 lead by the second quarter and cruised to a 65-6 rout of the Trojans.

The Mules got special teams’ scores by Bryan Quintero (27-yard blocked punt return in the first quarter) and Tristan Kamaka (56-yard punt return in second quarter). Ikaika Piceno rushed one time — for an 80-yard touchdown — and caught one pass — for a 79-yard touchdown, while quarterbacks Justin Jenks and Mack Eberhardt threw two TD passes apiece.

With the game being televised live statewide on OC16, Mules’ coach Nolan Tokuda started back-ups at numerous positions against the Trojans, as a means to recognize them for their hard work in practice despite a lack of regular playing time, he said.

Leilehua (3-0 overall, 1-0 OIA Red West) is one of four remaining undefeated teams statewide. The Mules host Waianae in another critical conference game Friday. The game will be streamed live at ScoringLive.com and simulcast on NBC Sports Radio/AM1500.

Sack-happy defense leading the way for Trojans

Mililani seized sole possession of the ultra-competitive OIA Red West over the weekend with its 44-24 road win at Waianae Friday night.

The Seariders had a two-touchdown lead with little over seven minutes left in the second quarter on a pair of Mahvan Tau touchdown runs. Tau rushed for a game-high 138 yards on 13 carries in the absence of Jemery Willes, who was out with an ankle injury.

It was the first time that the Trojans allowed a 100-yard rusher this season, but they allowed just 93 total rushing yards by Waianae for the game.

So what exactly happened the rest of the way?

Well, look no further than at the five sacks from the defense, which dropped Seariders’ quarterback Kekoa Kaluhiokalani, Jr. for minus-41 rushing yards.

The Trojans have been a menacing force on defense, to say the least — especially in their last two contests. In a shutout of Kapolei, Mililani forced four takeaways (two interceptions, two fumbles recovered) and recorded three sacks. Against Waianae, the defensive unit upped their sack total to 14 on the year.

Defensive end Kelii “KK” Padello broke out with a four-sack performance against Punahou and leads the team with eight on the season. 

Two ILH teams, one each from OIA and MIL remain unbeaten

The number of undefeated teams remaining statewide was cut in half over the weekend. The four losers were Saint Louis (lost to Kamehameha), Waianae (lost to Mililani), Radford (lost to Kaiser) and Hawaii Prep (lost to Hilo). Punahou (2-0), Leilehua (3-0), Lahainaluna (3-0) and Kamehameha (4-0) remain perfect.

Meanwhile, four teams also notched win No. 1 of the year during the weekend. The four first-time winners were Pearl City (beat Waialua), Farrington (beat Castle), Kealakehe (beat Keaau) and Moanalua (beat Kailua). Roosevelt, Anuenue, Pac-Five, Keaau, Honokaa and King Kekaulike have yet to win a game.