Iolani crushes PAC-5 for first ILH win, 55-20


Iolani's Lanakila Pei (23), Kaua Nishigaya (1) and Tai-John Mizutani (6) celebrate after a touchdown in the second quarter. Spencer Honda | SL

HALAWA — Iolani's Interscholastic League of Honolulu losing streak is finally over.

After two winless campaigns in Division I, No. 7 Iolani broke through to drub PAC-5 (1-4 overall, 0-3 ILH), 55-20, to win their first Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division II game of the season at Hawaiian Tel FCU Field at Aloha Stadium on Saturday.

"With this first ILH win under our belt, I feel we can run the table and use the momentum to help out the rest of the year," said Iolani sophomore receiver Carter Kamana.

The Iolani seniors have not won an ILH game up until today, but they finally got the first one in the books to improve to 2-3 overall, 1-2 league.

"I'm glad these guys got a taste to win in the ILH. This senior group hasn't won an ILH game in their careers so it's nice to get a win for them," said Iolani coach Wendell Look.

"It helps us a lot after losing 15 or so. The first one is always the hardest and to get that off our chest. It takes a lot of pressure off of us," added senior quarterback Tai-John Mizutani, as the Raiders racked up 567 yards of total offense.

Mizutani threw for 423 yards on 32-of-41 passing, three scores and no picks to lead the Raiders while his favorite target, Kamana caught a game-high 10 passes for 222 yards and two of his touchdowns. Kaua Nishigaya added two rushing scores and broke up a pass.

After the Wolfpack turned it over on downs, the Raiders got on the board four plays later as Nishigaya went untouched for 53 yards. Nishigaya added another 6-yard rushing touchdown to put Iolani up, 14-0.

PAC-5 came to life in the second quarter after AJ Ulufale found Nathan Bek twice for 19 and 29 yards, but the 2-point conversion pass and run attempts failed as the Wolfpack trailed, 28-12 heading into halftime.

Ulufale had 186 passing yards and two interceptions in his second straight start.

Mizutani threw a 48-yard touchdown to Kamana, who had six catches for 142 yards in the first half. Mizutani scrambled and found the end zone from 20 yards out.

"Our coaches had a good game plan and our receivers made plays and our line gave us time," said Mizutani.

"They have been working well with Tai-John. Whoever is open and we take what they give us. They're all supposed to be playmakers," said Look, on the receiving corp.

Mizutani threw a 14-yard touchdown to Rayden Kaneshiro and after the Wolfpack turned it over on downs. Four plays later, Mizutani found Kamana again for 53-yards.

"I feel like our plays were able to work due to Tai-John and the coaches called the right plays at the right times to get us open," said Kamana.

"A lot of the yards were after the catch. I'm thankful to have him. He's a big body and big presence and he can stretch the field," said Mizutani, on Kamana.

Jake Angelo recorded four tackle for losses to lead the Raiders defense, and Micah Shikada and Lanakila Pei each recorded interceptions. Pei returned the pick 36 yards for a score to start running clock 36 seconds into the fourth quarter.

Reserves got in to the game for the Raiders as Jonah Chong threw an 8-yard score to Cole Ichikawa to extend Iolani's lead to 55-12.

PAC-5's Kaikea Gonsales rushed for a 33-yard touchdown and ran in the two-point conversion for the final score of the game to finish with 92 yards on 14 attempts and five kick returns for 81 yards.

The Raiders hope to ride the momentum as it heads to the second half of the ILH regular season and hosts first-place Damien on Friday, Sept. 22.

"You have Damien and Saint Francis. They're on top and until we get re-established, it goes through them. Hopefully we can regroup and get better every week and day if we want to compete with those guys," said Look, on the second half of the ILH season.

The Wolfpack play Saint Francis on Sept. 23 at Kamehameha.



Reach Brandon Ching at [email protected].