All season long, the Punahou football team rode the success of running back Steven Lakalaka, but that all changed Friday night.

The Buffanblu turned to the right arm of Larry Tuileta in their semifinal against Baldwin in the First Hawaiian Bank/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division I Football State Championships at Aloha Stadium. The sophomore quarterback responded by throwing four touchdowns with no interceptions to lead Punahou to a convincing 35-0 shutout of the Bears and into its second state championship game in four years.

"He's done the same thing - he's gotten better in every game - he got hit a little bit, he got rattled a little bit, but he held tough, he got up and threw passes, never quit and he's our leader right now," Punahou coach Kale Ane said of Tuileta.

Tuileta completed 24 of 33 passes for 264 yards as the Buffanblu put up 370 yards of total offense to the Bears' 85. Tuileta was 13-of-16 passing for 139 yards with a touchdown in the first half.

"I couldn't have done it without all of my teammates, especially my O-line," Tuileta said. "They played a great game, they put their bodies on the line for me and I couldn't do it without them."

Tuileta's first touchdown pass was a 3-yarder to running back Kotoni Sekona for the lone score of the opening quarter. Midway through the second quarter, Tuileta did his part to extend the Punahou lead to 14-0. The , which was capped by Lakalaka's 5-yard touchdown run, was twice extended on third downs by Tuileta completions. His 6-yard pass to Malik Johnson moved the chains on a third-and-6 and he completed a 4-yard pass to Kale Dyas on a third-and-3 later in the drive.

Punahou was an efficient 9 of 13 on third-down conversion attempts for the game.

Just before the half, the Buffanblu went up, 21-0, following a 10-yard scoring strike from Tuileta to Ryan Tuiasoa. The scoring drive, which took just 48 seconds, was comprised of three straight Tuileta pass completions after a failed fake punt by Baldwin gave Punahou possession at the Bears' 34-yard line.

Tuileta's third touchdown came early in the second half following a Baldwin fumble that was recovered by Zachary Hernandez. Tuileta faked a handoff to Lakalaka, who was crossing from left to right, and put just enough touch on his pass that Cody Lee was able to make a spectacular diving grab in the end zone.

Punahou closed the scoring early in the fourth quarter on Tuileta's 27-yard touchdown pass to Johnson. The scoring play, which came on a third-and-7, saw Tuileta perfectly lead Johnson, who had beat the cornerback off the line, on the post route.

"We really emphasized in our practices to not take a play off," Tuileta said. "We knew we had to play hard and be real prepared for that game, especially because we hadn't seen Baldwin until then."

Kickoff between the Buffanblu and Red Raiders is set for 7 p.m. Friday and will follow the Division II title game between Waipahu and 'Iolani at 4 p.m.


TOP PERFORMERS - WEEK 15

Leilehua LB Reece Acohido had 12 tackles against Kahuku.

Waipahu RB Gregorio Alip rushed for 134 yards and 2 TDs against Lahainaluna.

Punahou DL DeForest Buckner had 11 tackles against Baldwin.

Kapaa QB John Das threw for 104 yards and a TD and rushed for 86 yards and another score against Iolani.

Kahuku RB Mahonilai Fakatou rushed for 110 yards and a TD against Leilehua.

Baldwin DL Miki Fangatua had 7 tackles and a sack against Punahou.

Leilehua LB Ryan Gomes had 11 tackles against Kahuku.

Punahou DL Luke Kaumatule had 4 tackles and 2 forced fumbles against Baldwin.

Iolani RB Jordan Lee rushed for 136 yards against Kapaa.

Kahuku LB Devalio Motuga had 8 tackles and 3 sacks against Leilehua.

Leilehua DB Russell Siavii had 7 tackles and 2 interceptions against Kahuku.

Baldwin LB BJ Wilheim-Ioane had 10 tackles against Punahou.

Kahuku RB Aofaga Wily rushed for 129 yards and a TD against Leilehua.