No. 4 Punahou grounds No. 11 Moanalua to open season

Greg Yamamoto | SL

Alai Williams and Iosepa Lyman carried No. 4 Punahou past No. 11 Moanalua, 35-0, in a non-league Open Division opener for both teams at Na Menehune's field Saturday.

The two running backs combined to rush for 127 yards of Punahou's 406 yards of total offense.

The Buffanblu (1-0 overall) scored in every stanza on their way to their first win since August 27, 2021.

A partially blocked punt set up Alai Williams' 18-yard run to put Punahou on the scoreboard first, 7-0. Gifted with a short field, Williams added another touchdown to make it, 14-0 following Jordan Kapisi's kick to cap a 8-play, 42-yard drive.

Iosepa Lyman punched in a 2-yard touchdown with 1:05 remaining in the first half to help the Buffanblu go up three scores and added his second rushing touchdown at the 9:13 mark in the third quarter.

John-Keawe Sagapolutele threw for 191 yards on 15-of-23 passing but was picked off twice.

Ty McCutcheon, who finished with 64 passing yards, came in the fourth quarter and threw a 8-yard touchdown pass to Kalen Smith to kickstart running clock.

GianCarlo Rufo had three tackles that went for losses and two sacks and Punahou's defense held Moanalua to minus-3 rushing yards.

Jeremy Garner and Josiah Kahue-Antone each recorded an interception and two pass break ups to lead Na Menehune's defense.

Punahou continues its nonleague slate with a game at Castle (0-1 overall) on Friday, Aug. 19.

Moanalua hosts Damien (1-0 overall) on Saturday, Aug. 20.