Isaiah Asinsin filled in at quarterback for Kekainalu Simon to help the Chargers knock off the Marauders Saturday night. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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_57d58d0b1565e.jpg - Greg Yamamoto | SL

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AIEA — With starting quarterback Kekainalu Simon under the weather, Isaiah Asinsin was the next man up to help lead Pearl City over Waipahu, 21-7 in an Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II game at Aiea High School on Saturday night.

The Chargers, who dropped their opener to Lahainaluna, won four-straight to improve to 4-1 overall, 4-0 in league to take first place in the OIA standings. The Marauders suffered their first loss to drop to 3-1 overall, 2-1 league.

The 6-foot receiver turned quarterback rushed for 66 yards and score and threw for 47 yards on 6-of-13 passing and a touchdown in the first quarter.

"He did a great job. Our coaches did a great job preparing him. Simplify the offense for him to make it easier tonight," said Pearl City coach Robin Kami.

"It's different because I had to adjust from receiver to quarterback. I had to adapt and be a leader to lead the offense," said Asinsin.

The Chargers scored on their opening drive that covered 61 yards on nine plays. Asinsin had a 26 yard gain to get into Waipahu territory and on a third-and-5 found Daniel Sarajina for a 14 yard score, but Zameer Khan's PAT was no good to make it, 6-0.

Waipahu went a quick three-and-out and Pearl City took over at the 50 and went to work to score in nine plays after Asinsin rushed for a 5-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion was good from Kasey Kikuyama to Zion Tupuola-Fetui to make it, 14-0.

Pearl City capitalized on a turnover after Braden Amorozo fumbled the ball and Carson Hernandez recovered it at the 9. The Chargers tried a trick play that almost resulted in Kobie Russell interception, but was out of bounds. Pearl City ran a reverse with Brody Padilla running it in for the score to make it, 21-0 going into halftime.

The Marauders struggled to get any offense going in the first half. Amorozo was 0 of 5 with no passing yards. Alfred Failauga was held mostly in check and finished with 68 rushing yards. Amorozo finished 7 of 23 for 122 passing yards.

"They played outstanding and did their jobs and got the job done," said Asinsin.

"Everyone was doing their job and staying disciplined to the scheme and it worked," added Padilla.

Early in the fourth quarter, Waipahu had an opportunity to score as Amorzo threw a 40 yard pass to Isaac Yamashita to the Pearl City 19. Failauga got to the 12, but the Marauders came away empty-handed as Lafo Seluli-Sanchez was stuffed for a 1-yard loss to turn it over on downs.

"Our game plan was to run the ball a lot, try to kill the clock. Waipahu's offense is explosive and you cannot hold them down, they're too good," said Kami.

Sure enough Waipahu scored on a 57 yard drive in five plays that took 1 minute 8 seconds as Amorozo found Kai Kapanui Reyes for a 25 yard score, but the Marauders trailed, 21-7 with 4:25 remaining.

The Marauders got the ball back with 2:47 remaining on the clock and got down the the Chargers' 30. However, Amorozo was intercepted by Padilla in the end zone and the Chargers were able to run out the clock.

"They played a great game and great game plan. We missed a lot of open passes. We were flustered there. We needed to settle down, but once we settled down, it was too late when we moved the ball," said Waipahu coach Bryson Carvalho.

"We came into this game knowing we had to be prepared and glad we came out with the win," said Padilla.

Pearl City won't play their next game until Oct. 1 when they travel to Roosevelt to play McKinley (0-3 overall, 0-2 league). Waipahu will host the Tigers at Aiea on Sept. 16.