No. 14 Damien pulls away to stymie Kailua

Logan Lauti (right) factored for both of Damien's touchdowns while rushing for 115 yards and catching five passes for 120 receiving yards. Leighland Tagawa | SL

KAILUA — No. 14 Damien used a second half surge to defeat Kailua, 16-7, in an OIA-ILH Division I interleague game at Alex Kane Stadium Friday.

The win ended a two-game losing streak as the Monarchs improved to 4-2 in league play, 4-3 overall.

The Surfriders dropped their second-straight game to fall to 1-7 overall (1-4 in the Oahu Interscholastic Association).

Logan Lauti factored for both of Damien's touchdowns. He rushed for 115 yards and caught five passes for 120 receiving yards.

Aperamo Sulu rushed for 101 yards on 25 carries as the Monarchs pounded out 199 rushing yards.

Damien quarterback Duke Hoohuli was 11 of 22 for 186 yards, one touchdown and two picks.

The Monarchs turned Kyle Kinney's second interception of the game into much-needed points. Hoohuli threw a 35-yard pass to Lindon Sevilleja Jr. to the Surfrider 5 with 8.8 seconds left in the second quarter. Two plays later, Hoohuli found Lauti, who stretched out to the pylon. Christian Souza put through the PAT for a 7-0 halftime lead.

Kailua tied the game up at 7 as Kaniala Williams rushed for a 63-yard touchdown. Williams finished with 54 rushing yards for the game and Samson Rasay added 40 yards on the ground.

The Monarchs got a safety with over 59 seconds left in the third quarter and Lauti added a 6-yard rushing touchdown early in the fourth.

Leighton "Laa" Russell had three tackle-for-losses, a sack and an interception to lead the Surfrider defense. John Sniffen had a pair of sacks and Rhaine Kupahu had a pick.

Damien will travel to Leilehua and Castle for their remaining games of the season. The Surfriders host Aiea and Waipahu to wrap up the season.

Reach Brandon Ching at [email protected].