Kahuku WR Bronson Beatty celebrates a first-half touchdown reception. Scott Nishi | SL

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0820112339_IMG_6853.jpg - Scott Nishi | SL

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Defense came through for Kahuku in its 13-3 win against Kamehameha Saturday night.

But it wasn't by just keeping the opposition out of the end zone for a second consecutive weekend. Full-time defensive backs Kawehena Johnson and Bronson Beatty each hauled in a touchdown pass from Viliami Livai to account for Kahuku's scoring.

Kahuku, ranked first in the ScoringLive Football Power Rankings, improved to 2-0 in part by holding No. 7 Kamehameha to 153 yards in offense and picking off two passes, one each by Kai Saniatan and Evan Ramirez. Ramirez returned his 95 yards for an apparent TD that was nullified on the return with a penalty.

Holding a precarious 6-3 lead with one minute, 44 seconds left in the game, Kahuku took over from its 28 with seven minutes, 42 seconds left and drove meticulously down field to the Kamehameha 18, facing fourth-and-7; the Red Raiders made an apparent first down when it was fourth-and 2, but an illegal formation penalty pushed them back. On the replay of the down, Johnson and Beatty lined on the right side with Beatty taking an inside route, drawing a way the corner, leaving Johnson wide open.

"This is a touchdown," Livai said of his thoughts when he spotted Johnson all alone.

The TD and Kekahu Aluli's PAT made it 13-3 with 1:31 left. The 13-play drive consumed 6:11.

With Johnson and Beatty both playing crucial roles on defense, interim coach Walter Santiago used the two athletes in spot situations on offense. They combined for three of Livai's four completions from 13 pass attempts.

"We try to put the best 11 on the ball," Santiago said. "We can do a lot of things with them. It's a situational thing where they can get big plays for us."

On their ensuing series, the Warriors reached their own 45 before losing the ball on downs with 59 seconds to play. The Red Raiders were able to run out the clock with two running plays.

The Warriors (0-2) got inside the Kahuku's 20 only once, when they reached the 18 and got their only points on Kanekoa Pawn-White's 35-yard field goal with 5:18 in the second quarter to put Kamehameha ahead, 3-0.

The Red Raiders' first score came when Beatty made an over the head catch for an 18-yard TD 36 seconds before the half. It was a perfectly thrown pass because the Kamehameha defender was as close he could get to covering Beatty without causing pass interference. The PAT failed, but Kahuku took a 6-3 lead into the half.

Defenses kept the game close. Kamehameha's offense struggled as it continued to alternate QBs Makoa Camanse-Stevens and Nephi Stevens on nearly every play. A shining spot was RB Bronson Baretto rushing for 73 yards on 15 carries.

Kahuku's offense rolled up 158 yards on the ground with Wily tallying 85 on 22 carries. But fumbles, four by Livai on center-QB snap exchanges, stalled drives. Santiago said injuries on the offensive line didn't help that cause.

Kamehameha has one more nonleague game to brush up for the Interscholastic League of Honolulu season. The Warriors play at Radfrod, which upset No. 6 Mililani, 14-7, Saturday night.

The Red Raiders open the OIA Red East season at Kailua next week.