Monarchs outduel Chargers in preseason action

Damien's Sylas Alaimalo walks into the end zone for the game-winning score for the Monarchs. Brian Bautista | SL

Down but never out.

Damien rallied against Pearl City in a back-and-forth contest for a 18-14 non-league win Saturday night at Bino Neves Stadium.

Sylas Alaimalo's 2-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter provided the game-winning score for the Monarchs, who improved to 2-0.

The Chargers (1-1) struck first on a 19-yard TD pass from Trey Dacoscos to Lennon Elder. Marcus Rodriguez tacked on the PAT for an early 7-0 lead.

The Monarchs answered with Peyton Dalmacio's 58-yard run to pay dirt, but the kick failed leaving the score in favor of Pearl City, 7-6.

The score would hold into halftime until Bobby Best turned in a 26-yard pick-six to exted the Chargers lead, 14-6.

Damien chipped away at the lead on AJ Tuifua's 23-yard TD pass to Champ Buffett just before the end of the third quarter to make it a 14-12 game before Alaimalo's game-winning score in the final stanza.