Monarchs clamp down defensively in win over Red Raiders

Brian Bautista | SL

The top-ranked team in the country proved its worth Saturday night.

Mater Dei, of Santa Ana, California, scored early and often en route to a 38-7 win over host Kahuku in a non-league football game at Carleton E. Weimer Field.

The Monarchs (3-0), who are a consensus No. 1 in national polls, followed the lead of their defense in a one-sided victory over the reigning three-time state Open Division champion Red Raiders (3-2).

Quarterback Dash Beierly threw a pair of touchdown passes and Mater Dei cashed in four takeaways into 28 points. It led 31-0 after three quarters before Kahuku scored its lone touchdown on a 1-yard run by Malosi Fiatoa with 5:26 left to play.

Aaryn Washington scored the game's first touchdown after he picked up a fumbled Kahuku punt return and walked into the end zone from five yards out midway through the first quarter.

Beierly hit Koen Parnell for a 30-yard scoring strike with 4:32 to play in the first half. The Monarchs got the two-point conversion to take a 17-0 lead into halftime.

On the first play of scrimmage out of the intermission, Abduall Sanders stepped in front of a Kahuku pass and scored on a 25-yard interception return for touchdown.

Beierly's 28-yard TD pass to Gavin Honore with 7:29 on the clock in the third, followed by the Dominic Zante PAT, strethced it to a 31-0 lead.

Tomuhini Topui closed out the scoring with a 50-yard pick-six late in the contest.

Mater Dei finished with 195 yards of total offense and limited Kahuku to 114 total yards.

The Red Raiders were just 1 of 10 on third downs, while the Monarchs were 2 of 10.

Kahuku was flagged 14 times for 90 yards and Mater Dei drew 11 penalties for 115 yards.

The Red Raiders will open the Oahu Interscholastic Association Open Division regular season against Farrington at home next Saturday. Kickoff for that game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.