Kekahuna leads Saint Francis past PAC-5

Saint Francis' Shepherd Kekahuna (center) scored on a 92-yard pick-6 and a 98-yard run to help the Saints stay unbeaten. Greg Yamamoto | SL

UPDATE: It was later ruled that Saint Francis used an ineligible player and thus had to forfeit this game as a result.

HALAWA — After a slow start, Saint Francis got defensive in the second half.

Saint Francis recorded three interceptions after halftime, including two returned for touchdowns, to overcome PAC-5, 26-6, in an Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division II football game at Aloha Stadium Saturday afternoon.

The Saints improved to 5-0 overall and 4-0 in league play, while the Wolfpack fell to 2-2 on the season.

Shepherd Kekahuna accounted for a pair of scores in the victory. The 5-foot-9, 180-pound junior, broke a scoreless tie with his 92-yard pick-6 with 5:56 left in the third quarter.

Kekahuna jumped an out route near the right sideline and stepped in front of Rocket Uechi's pass intended for Breyndon Nakamura before going untouched the other way. Jonah Aina-Chaves ran in the ensuing two-point conversion to make it an 8-0 lead for the Saints.

Near the end of the third quarter — after Leif Fautanu's 51-yard punt pinned Saint Francis deep in their territory — Kekahuna took a direct snap and followed a slew of blockers en route to a 98-yard TD run.

PAC-5's next play from scrimmage resulted in another turnover. Uechi's pass was deflected by Kordell Ng and fell into the hands of John Paul Tilley, who weaved his way along the right sideline and into the end zone on a 42-yard interception return.

The Saints added a score with 2:49 left to play on Bubba Akana's 10-yard pass to Chase Akana to take a 26-0 lead.

Akana completed 11 of 20 passes for 131 yards with an interception. Kekahuna finished with 169 yards from scrimmage and also registered one of Saint Francis' four sacks in the game.

The Wolfpack got their lone score on Angelo Coluccio's circus catch on a 9-yard pass from backup Chase Hedani with 14 seconds remaining.

Sione Lolohea posted nine tackles, including three for losses, with a sack, to lead the Saint Francis defense.

Evan Ramirez made nine tackles, two for losses, with a sack, for PAC-5 defensively.

Saint Francis next faces Kaimuki (4-1 overall, 4-0 OIA) Saturday at Farrington's Edward "Skippa" Diaz Stadium. PAC-5 takes on McKinley (1-5, 0-4 OIA) at Roosevelt's Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium that same night.