Lahainaluna's Haaheo Au and Donovan Defang give chase to Pearl City's Charles Freitas. The Lunas held the Chargers to just 54 yards of total offense. Glen Pascual | Special to SL

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Sat, Aug 6, 2016 @ Lahainaluna [ 7:00 pm ]

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Pearl City

0

Lahainaluna

29

Final	1	2	3	4	T
Pearl City (5-4-0)	0	0	0	0	0
Lahainaluna (9-4-0)	9	6	7	7	29

• Pass
• Rush
• Rec

Enele Scanlan 125 yd 2 TD

Kekainalu Simon 42 yd

Radon Sinenci 53 yd 1 TD

Charles Freitas 43 yd

Shiloh Lopez 91 yd

Calvin Mock 27 yd

Fourth-ranked Lahainaluna suffocated No. 8 Pearl City in a 29-0 season-opening win at Sue Cooley Stadium Saturday night. 

The Lunas churned out 370 yards of total offense and held the visiting Chargers to just 54 yards and seven first downs to improve to 1-0 on the year.

"We're looking at it as a stepping stone," Lahainaluna coach Garret Tihada said on the win. "We're happy for it, with what we had out there. We're just looking at is as something to build on."

With 13 different ball carriers, the Lunas were able to rush for 245 yards, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. Randon Sinenci had the most yards with 53 on four carries, which included a 38-yard run for the first score of the game. Elijah Ragudo also had a 6-yard TD run in the third quarter that gave the Lunas a 22-0 lead. 

"Our linemen really came off the ball and sustained their blocks," said Tihada. "Anytime we get that going the running backs have a good shot at getting some yards." 

Elene Scanlan, who suffered two ACL injuries in the last two years, got the start at quarterback and completed throws when the Lunas needed him to, throwing for 125 yards and two TDs on 5 of 10 passing. 

"We're just happy to have him," Tihada said on Scanlan. "He just missed a lot of football so we just had to take things slow, but he's progressing nicely." 

Pearl City quarterback Kekainalu Simon was pressured all night long and was just 3-for-19 passing with one interception. Defensive end Unaloto Pahulu led the charge with three sacks.

"Their defense was aggressive, physical, fast and very well-disciplined," said Pearl City coach Robin Kami. "It was a good test for us and we know where we stand, we have a lot of work we got to do."

Kami added that 20 of his players were out because of academic probation and injuries and that they had just 35 players suited up.

The Lunas' victory sets up a key game this weekend when they host No. 3 Kapaa in the two teams' fourth consecutive preseason meeting. The Warriors, who are coming off a 16-6 victory over Maui, also defeated Lahainaluna in the Division II state tournament semifinals last season, 24-0.

"It's hard because it's still preseason, so you don't have everything in, but everyone knows how big this game is," said Tihada. "Whoever wins this game gets the No. 1 or No. 2 seed (in states) at the end of the year. They really took it to us last year in the playoffs and they return a lot of starters. They're going to be tough team again."

Maui News sports reporter Rob Collias contributed statistics and information used in this report.