No. 2 Punahou defeats No. 13 Kamehameha in one-sided affair

Punahou RB Alaimaikekaimalie Williams breaks multiple tackles en route to the end zone for a 39-yard score in the first quarter. Brian Bautista | SL

MAKIKI — John-Keawe Sagapolutele set the tone for the Punahou football team Saturday afternoon.

The senior quarterback completed 14 of 16 passes for 146 yards and four first-half touchdowns as the second-ranked Buffanblu cruised to a 52-7 victory over visiting No. 13 Kamehameha in an ILH Open Division contest at Alexander Field.

Sagapolutele's efficiency to start the game helped Punahou take a 45-0 lead at the break as the Buffanblu scored on all of their first-half possessions to improve to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in league play.

He also converted a pair of fourth down attempts with his legs to set up a 6-yard TD pass to Noah Macapulay to give the Buffanblu a 28-0 lead early in the second quarter.

"When your quarterback, your offensive captain and leader comes out with that kind of execution and mindset, it sets the tone for the rest of the team," Punahou coach Nate Kia said of Sagapolutele, who completed his first eight passes.

Sagapolutele's final TD of the day came on a 13-yard pass to Justice Wu at the 7:08 mark of the second quarter. Backup Ty McCutcheon took the snaps behind center the rest of the way and finished with 121 yards and one score on 9-of-12 passing.

Aiden Takuma had two interceptions in the first half to lead the Buffanblu defensively as Kamehameha was held to just 41 yards of total offense in the first two quarters of play.

Macapulay had the most receiving yards for Punahou with 69 yards on four receptions, two of which went for scores. Christian Kauhane also caught a TD pass from Sagapolutele while Ean Kamau-Waikiki was the receiver for McCutcheon's scoring pass.

Alaimaikekaimalie Williams led the Buffanblu on the ground with 83 yards on just five carries. He scored on a 39-yard run to convert fourth down in the first quarter and added a 21-yard score midway through the fourth quarter for Punahou's seventh TD.

Kicker Jordan Kapisi was a perfect 7-for-7 on PATs and added a 42-yard boot just before the end of the first half to give Punahou a 45-point advantage at the break.

Kamehameha's Kealii Ah Yet tossed a 4-yard TD pass to Kaina Watson midway through the third quarter to avoid the shutout for the Warriors, who fell to 0-4-1 overall and 0-2 in league play.