Pacific RB Kamana Pimental breaks free for a 16-yard TD run in the first quarter. Pimental, who is a former Saint Louis Crusader, finished with 87 yards rushing in the contest. Michael Lasquero | SL

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KAPALAMA HEIGHTS — Over a dozen former Hawaii prep athletes returned to the islands with the Pacific University football team for a "home game" against Occidental College in the first-ever NCAA Division III game in the state Saturday night.

Pacific (Forest Grove, Ore.) scored early and often to down Occidental (Los Angeles), 45-22 at Kamehameha's Kunuiakea Stadium for its first win of the season.

The Boxers (1-2) have 17 players on their travel roster (26 total on team) that played prep football in Hawaii, the second-highest number in the nation behind the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

"This has been such a long time coming," said Pacific coach Keith Buckley. "A lot of people came a really long way to watch us play. To be a part of the Hawaii culture, to be here at Kamehameha and to have the 17 guys that we have from Hawaii play tonight was something really really special. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for these guys to do this." 

"It feels good to come back and play for my whole family here," added guard Kit Taura, a Moanalua graduate. "Back in Oregon, we don't get to see my whole family come to the game, but this time I had my uncles, aunties and everyone else come. I'm blessed to have them here." 

Running back Kamana Pimental, who played his prep career at Saint Louis, said that all the Hawaii players were "stoking the entire week."

"We were just so amped and ready to come here and play, especially in front of our family and friends," said Pimental. "It was definitely a fun opportunity to be here."

Buckley was pleased that his players were able to stay focused throughout the game in spite of the added excitement.

"The thing I really appreciated is the guys kept it about business today," he said. "They didn't get caught up in everything else and they really kind of bought into the saying ‘we're here to win a football game,' and that's important. It would have been really disappointing to come all this way and not play well. I think we got some things right and moving in the right direction. We still got a lot to do to get better, but I'm pretty excited with it." 

"Those first three games were really close, but this game was just for us to make a true statement to show who we are to everyone else," added cornerback Max Look, an Iolani graduate.

Occidental (0-2) also has some ties to the 50th state. Tigers head coach Doug Semones won four Oahu Interscholastic Association titles while coaching at Kahuku. Occidental offensive coordinator Darnell Arceneaux is a former Saint Louis quarterback and also has experience coaching high school football in Hawaii.

The Tigers also have two players on their roster that are from Hawaii: cornerback Chaz Shizumura (Punahou) and offensive lineman Max Vinci (Castle). 

"It was awesome," said Shizumura. "I had a lot of friends and family come out and just to be able to show them how much I've grown football-wise and athletically was really enjoyable." 

The offensive line was key in Pacific's first win of the season. With former Saint Louis lineman Mikey Fanning at center and Taura and KS-Hawaii alum Kennon Quiocho at the guard spots, the Boxers were able to churn out 285 rushing yards. 

"We demolished," said Taura. "Our goal was to be more physical and that's what we did." 

Pimental scored on a 16-yard run for the game's first score of the game and finished with a game-high 87 rushing yards on 16 carries. 

The Boxers pushed their lead to 20-0 early in the second quarter when Kauai graduate Camren Henry caught a 20-yard TD pass from Campbell Summerfield.

"It was an unreal experience," said Henry. "I honestly never thought I would be able to play in Hawaii again and its just means a lot of all the Hawaii boys to be able to play one more game here." 

Henry finished with three catches for 33 yards and one score. Former KS-Hawaii receiver Alapaki Iaea also got into the action and had three receptions for 31 yards. 

Iolani graduate Wyatt Maa had the second most tackles for the Boxers with eight, six solo.