Nanakuli escapes with 41-34 OT win over Pearl City

Nanakuli quarterback Nainoa Banks carries the ball against Pearl City. Banks threw for 296 yards and three touchdowns in a win over the Chargers. Mycah Yokotake | Waialua HS

Nanakuli rallied from a 20-10 halftime deficit to defeat host Pearl City in overtime, 41-34 in an Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II game at Bino Neves Stadium Friday night.

Running back Sunshine Anuenue scored the go-ahead touchdown in overtime from five yards out to help the Golden Hawks, ranked third in the ScoringLive/Hawaiian Electric Division II Football Power Rankings, improve to 6-1 and 6-0 in league play.

Pearl City quarterback Kekainalu Simon was 21-of-46 passing for 295 yards and five touchdowns, but was intercepted four times in the loss. Nanakuli defensive back Alexcio Meyers intercepted Simon on the Chargers' third play of overtime to seal the Golden Hawks' victory.

Nanakuli jumped out to an early 10-0 lead after a safety, Nainoa Banks's 5-yard touchdown run and Clifford Cunningham's 2-point conversion pass to Isain Wong-Lonzanida, but gave up three unanswered scores to close the first half.

Banks was at the core of the Golden Hawks' second half rally, having completed 16 of his 28 pass attempts for 296 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. His favorite target, Keanu Momoa, had a career-high game with five catches for 126 yards and a 64-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter.

The Golden Hawks retook the lead on Banks' 48-yard touchdown pass to Wong-Lonzanida and Cunningham's PAT made it 25-20 heading into the final period of regulation.

The two teams would trade scores in the fourth quarter before Cunningham's 20-yard field goal sent the game into overtime.