Saint Francis plows through Kalaheo

Saint Francis' Makana Poole hit a pair of field goals as well as rushing for one yard and returning three punts. Leighland Tagawa | SL

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

KAILUA — It was a family affair for Saint Francis' Makana Poole on Friday as the Saints marched past Kalaheo, 40-6, in an OIA-ILH Division II interleague clash at Kailua's Alex Kane Stadium.

Saint Francis improved to 7-0 overall on the season while the Mustangs dropped their fourth-straight game to fall to 2-6 overall (2-3 OIA). The win also clinched the first-ever state tournament berth for the Saints.

Makana had an opportunity to play against his grandfather Darrell Poole, the Kalaheo head coach, as well as some childhood friends.

"It was a good game. Knowing I was going to play against him is a fun experience," Makana Poole said of playing the Mustangs.

Bubba Akana threw for 146 yards on 8-of-19 passing and a touchdown and Jonah Aina-Chaves had a passing score.

Bubbah Aina-Chaves accounted for 219 yards of offense and three touchdowns for the Saints. He had 151 rushing yards and two scores to go along with 68 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Bubbah Aina-Chaves rushed for a 12-yard touchdown and Kekahuna added a two-point run. He later caught Bubba Akana's pass and took it 50 yards to the end zone for a 17-0 lead.

Makana Poole hit a pair of field goals from 30 and 26 yards. His 26-yarder went through just as time expired in the second quarter.

Saint Francis led 20-0 at halftime.

Jonah Aina-Chaves went 1 of 2 on the night and threw a 34-yard touchdown to Shepherd Kekahuna. Kekahuna also had a 55-yard interception return for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

"Our defense was holding them down and we got more plays on the ball. We trust in each other and got each others' back," Makana Poole said as he registered a tackle for loss.

Jaden Amasiu scooped up an errant lateral for a 23-yard score for the Mustangs. He also had 34 kickoff return yards and forced fumble. Carl Addy had 23 rushing yards for Kalaheo.

The Saints finish off their season against Kalani and Roosevelt. The Mustangs close the season against Kaimuki and Kalani.

Reach Brandon Ching at [email protected].