Punahou's Wayne Taulapapa (right) is escorted by teammate Kanawai Noa on a carry. Taulapapa rushed for 141 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Kamehameha. Reina Takaki | Special to SL

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Fri, Oct 10, 2014 @ Aloha Stadium [ 8:15 pm ]

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Kamehameha

7

Punahou

47

Final	1	2	3	4	T
Kamehameha (5-3-0)	7	0	0	0	7
Punahou (8-1-0)	13	21	13	0	47

• Pass
• Rush
• Rec

Ephraim Tuliloa 204 yd 3 TD

Noah Sua-Godinet 245 yd 1 TD

Wayne Taulapapa 141 yd 2 TD

Jordan Bayudan 24 yd

Kanawai Noa 83 yd 1 TD

Kaulana Werner 116 yd

Punahou, ranked No. 1 in the ScoringLive/OC16 Division I Power Rankings, scored 47 unanswered points to clinch the Interscholastic League of Honolulu regular-season title over fifth-ranked Kamehameha at Hawaiian Airlines Field at Aloha Stadium Friday night. The Buffanblu's 47-7 win over the Warriors avoided a three-way tie for first place in the division.

With the win the Buffanblu (6-0) earn a first-round bye in the league's postseason tournament and will await the winner between Kamehameha (5-2, 4-2 ILH) and Saint Louis (5-3, 5-1). The winner of that game will need to beat Punahou twice if it hopes to claim the ILH overall title and state berth.

"It's huge. We get an opportunity to get a bye next week, and we have to get beat twice. It's a big accomplishment and it was one of our goals," said Punahou coach Kale Ane.

The Buffanblu posted a balanced offensive performance with 236 yards passing and 206 yards rushing. Quarterback Ephraim Tuliloa went 14-for-18 passing with 204 yards and three touchdowns and running back Wayne Taulapapa added 141 yards and two touchdowns on just 13 carries.

"It's a blessing. We have great coaches who handle all the plays and they really help us to be balanced," said Taulapapa. "Kamehameha was definetly giving us a lot of great looks. We tried to run a different (style) of a run-and-shoot so either I get the ball or Ephraim passes it so that we can keep the defense on their feet."

Kamehameha drew first blood with an eight-play, 61-yard drive on its opening series. The scoring drive was capped with Fatu Sua-Godinet's 34-yard touchdown pass to Dylan Kane down the left sideline. This was the first time that Punahou has trailed during a game all year.

The Warriors also brought heavy pressure on Tuliloa early in the game. Kamehameha defensive end Mika Tafua and linebacker Tainoa Foster each recorded a strip sack within the Buffanblu's first two drives.

Nevertheless, the Buffanblu were able to make the necessary adjustments on offense to counter the Warriors pressure. Tuliloa was able to toss two touchdown passes in the first quarter to give Punahou a 13-7 lead after the first quarter.

"I think we responded (well). They punched us in the gut and we had to respond. They're a very good team, great athletes (and) good coaches so we knew we had our hands full. It was a little bit of adversity but I think we responded well," said Ane.

Taulapapa punched in two touchdowns from 44 and four yards in the second quarter to give Punahou an affirming 27-7 lead with under four minutes to play in the first half. 

"I think for us, we knew how challenging Kamehameha was and how heavy they like to blitz. We definitely wanted to try and execute the pass and protect Ephraim as much as we can, but I think we just had first time jitters and was nervous. Right after we ran the ball it opened up a lot for us, just in confidence wise," said Taulapapa. 

Kanawai Noa's 48-yard punt return near the end of the second quarter gave Punahou a 34-7 lead at the break. Noa was also the leading receiver for the Buffanblu, having caught seven passes for 83 yards and a score.

Punahou added a Ronley Lakalaka one-yard touchdown run and a Matthew Christman 11-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter to put the mercy rule in effect.

Kamehameha will take on Saint Louis on Oct. 18 in the final game of an ILH triple-header. The Crusaders won the first meeting between the two teams 46-38.