Kalani running back Sean Silas carried the ball 19 times for 88 yards and 3 touchdowns, both of them game-highs, in a win over Kalaheo. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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08221539_KalKal_0206.jpg - Greg Yamamoto | SL

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Sean Silas scored three touchdowns on the ground, and a Sione Vea-led defense produced seven sacks to pace Kalani (1-1, 1-2 overall) to a 28-6 victory over Kalaheo (0-2, 0-3) at Kaiser Stadium.

Silas, a sophomore running back, gained 88 yards on 19 carries to lead all rushers in both categories, and scored on runs of 6, 2 and 4 respectively.

"I think we try to look for balance, having Sean understanding the scheme we're trying to employ when we run makes a big difference," said Kalani head coach Greg Taguchi of Silas. "He might pick off three or four (yards) here and then pop one."

His final score of the night, a four-yarder off the right side, came just two plays after a nine yard scamper up the middle was called back due to a holding penalty, and effectively closed the door on the Mustangs.

"Kalaheo they played good defensively. seven rushing its kind of hard to get through that," said Silas. "But the offensive line just pushing off the ball, without them I wouldn't be able to do what I did."

On the other side of the ball, the Falcons' defense kept the Mustangs at bay for much of the contest, with Vea and company applying pressure on quarterback Mark Lehrner in pass situations while keeping running back Kaliu Lapera from breaking big runs on the ground.

"We did good, doing our responsibilities, and just focusing on that, stopping the offense," said Vea.

But Kalaheo made things a bit interesting late in the third quarter, capping an eight play, 71 yard drive with a 21 yard pass play from Lehrner to Kamani Ah Yat that trimmed the lead to 21-6.

Seemingly unffazed, the Falcons defense did not allow another score down the stretch, holding the Mustangs to just 32 yards of offense in final quarter of play, which included a pair of sacks by Kealii Lopes.

Overall, the Falcons recorded seven sacks, three by Sione Vea, and added a Payton Awaya interception for good measure.

"Defensive coaches have done a real good job all season. Our defense have kept us in games all year long, and it isn't just Sione, its a team effort," remarked Kalani head coach Greg Taguchi. "Sione does anchor our defensive line, and hopefully good things will to happen for us."

Kalani scored on their opening possession on Silas' six-yard run off left tackle, set up in large part by a face-mask penalty, to take a 7-0 lead in the early going.

The Mustangs best chance to get on the scoreboard came midway though the second quarter on an apparent touchdown run by Lapera. That plays was nullified by a holding call, and the Mustangs ultimately went backward for the remainder of that drive before punting the ball away at midfield. Lapera finished the eveing with 47 yards on 12 carries.

Kalani's David Dennis took the ensuing punt and returned it 36 yards to set the Falcons up with great field position, and Silas capped off a 12-play drive with a two yard run off the right end for a touchdown to make the score 14-0.

Midway through the third quarter, Kalani quarterback Seth Tina-Soberano improvised out of the pocket on a fourth-down and six play and connected with a wide-open Tyson Tagami in the right flat for a score to put the Falcons up by 21. Tina-Soberano finsihed the evening 11-of-22 for 128 yards.

Kalani totaled 264 yards of offense to Kalaheo's 185.

"Overall, we're pushing together. We're coming back after (a loss to) Waialua and we just wanted to come back, fight and push each other," said Silas.

Next week the Falcons will take on Division II No. 3 Radford at Aiea High School, while Kalaheo will look to get on track with a game against Anuenue.