Punahou's Alakai Gilman sprints to the sideline after scoring on a 49-yard interception return. Michael Lasquero | SL

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_19082523_FB_8_24_19_KAPvsPUN-0331.jpg - Michael Lasquero | SL

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KAPOLEI — Scoring the first touchdowns of the year against the Punahou defense came at a price.

Safeties Alakai Gilman and Jonah Henry scored on a pair of interceptions to spearhead the Buffanblu in a 44-13 interleague win Saturday night at the Alvin Nagasako Sports Complex.

No. 3 Punahou also held the seventh-ranked Hurricanes to 45 yards rushing as the Buffanblu improved to 4-0 overall and 3-0 in league play.

With Tevarua Tafiti leading the effort up front with eight tackles — four for loss — and two sacks, the Buffanblu pressured Kapolei quarterback Noa Bailey all night long. Bailey completed just 17 of his 38 pass attempts for 144 yards with three interceptions. Bailey did throw a 15-yard TD to Haleola Thomas late in the fourth quarter against the Buffanblu reserves, but not before Henry scored on a 32-yard pick-6 to give Punahou a 44-6 lead.

"We're happy to get out of here with the win, Kapolei is very tough," said Punahou coach Kale Ane, whose team had allowed just five points total in its previous three contests.

"We're always trying to get better. It was great competition. Their receivers are dominant. Their quarterback is big, strong, an athlete. We knew we had a big task at hand. It was nice for the kids to come through. They wanted the challenge and we got challenged."

Gilman had the most spectacular TD of the night. The Washington State-commit tipped a Bailey pass near midfield and juggled it before securing the ball. He then cut it towards the right sideline and was met by Kapolei receiver Dycen Coyaso. Gilman muscled his way through Coyaso before taking it untouched for a 49-yard pick-6.

Bailey's counterpart, Punahou freshman John-Keawe Sagapolutele threw two interceptions himself — both of which went to Kapolei's Kelekolio Taylor — but faired better overall and completed 20 of 33 passes for 248 yards and two TDs. Sagapolutele tossed a 8-yard score to Rayden Kiaaina-Caires to cap the Buffanblu's first-half scoring and threw a 29-yard scoring strike to Christopher Paige for Punahou's first score of the second half.

Running back Vincent Terrell rushed for 56 yards and two TDs to give Punahou a balanced attack. He scored on a 3-yard run late in the first quarter for the Buffanblu's first TD and added a 9-yard score in the third quarter to give Punahou a 37-6 lead.

Punahou kicker Quinn Maretzki booted a 29-yard field goal to start the Buffanblu's scoring and was 5-for-5 on PATs.

Kapolei (2-2 overall, 1-0 OIA Open) scored late in the second quarter on a Jayven Reyes 6-yard run to make it a 24-6 game at the break. Reyes' scoring run was set up by a double pass play from receiver De'Zhaun Stribling's 18-yard pass to Bula White.