KAPALAMA HEIGHTS — Kekai Burnett lived rent-free in the opposing backfield all night Friday.

The Punahou senior defensive end recorded four of the team's eight sacks as the fourth-ranked Buffanblu opened ILH play with a 31-3 win over No. 5 Kamehameha before a homecoming crowd at Kunuiakea Stadium.

Burnett, an Oregon State-commit, finished with 10 total tackles, 6 1/2 for loss, to help Punahou snap a two-game losing streak as it improved to 4-2 overall while handing the Warriors (4-1, 0-1) their first loss of the season.

"He wreaked some havoc in there," Kamehameha coach Kaeo Drummondo said of Burnett.

Kekai Burnett was a straight 🔨 for the Punahou defense against Kamehameha.

The Oregon State-commit had 10 total tackles (6.5 for loss) and four of the team's eight sacks in a 31-3 win to open ILH play. pic.twitter.com/hZcuLnk08l

— Michael Lasquero (@MichaelLasquero) September 23, 2023

Collectively the Buffanblu held the Warriors to just 90 yards of total offense and limited them to just two yards per play.

Kamehameha punted seven times and Punahou won the turnover battle with both linebacker Blayne Shiraki and safety Donte Utu coming down with an interception in the first half.

Shiraki, Alika Cavaco-Amoy, Danner Lim and Josiah "Ko'o" Kia also recorded sacks for the Buffanblu defense.

"Our defense came out in the second half and they really kept the door shut and didn't let them come back in," said Punahou coach Nate Kia.

Iosepa Lyman ran for two scores and Ty McCutcheon threw for two more to lead the Punahou offense, which totaled 355 yards of total offense.

Other than an interception that went off his receiver's hands, McCutcheon was efficient with 319 passing yards on 19 completions. Noah Macapulay led the team with receptions with eight grabs for 104 yards and the game's opening touchdown.

Astin Hange showed off his moves Friday night in Punahou's 31-3 win over Kamehameha.

The Air Force-commit led all receivers with 143 yards on five catches.

He also returned the first punt of the game for a touchdown, but it was nullified due to a penalty. pic.twitter.com/8BuT1YdWCe

— Michael Lasquero (@MichaelLasquero) September 23, 2023

Astin Hange had the most yards receiving with five catches for 143 yards and Kyler Matsui notched his first career TD on a 27-yard pass in the fourth quarter.

"It was a great team win," said Burnett.

Punahou also had to reshuffle some of its lineup with a few players out with sickness, which included running back Alai Williams. The offensive line also saw Max "Kamuela" Wilhelm get the start at right tackle while Kansas Kealoha moved to guard to shore up the interior.

"We still had some guys on the mend, but they did a tremendous job battling and executing the game plan," said coach Kia.

"I was proud of them coming out and being more consistent as the game went on, which is key."

Kilinahe Wong had the interception for Kamehameha to set up the Warriors' only scoring possession. A pass interference penalty also aided the drive, but the Punahou defense stiffened up to hold Kamehameha to a 28-yard field goal by Kain Tubania.

Punahou had two scores negated due to penalty. An illegal block in the back wiped away a punt return by Hange on Kamehameha's first punt attempt and a roughing the passer penalty took away an interception and pick-six by Utu.