Ka'aha McAfee-Torco runs back an interception against 'Iolani in Week 5. McAfee-Torco also had a pick against Saint Louis last week to halt the Crusaders best scoring chance. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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Ka'aha McAfee-Torco runs back an interception against 'Iolani in Week 5. McAfee-Torco also had a pick against Saint Louis last week to halt the Crusaders best scoring chance. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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In his own words, Punahou head coach Kale Ane called his team's offensive performance "awesome" in its 35-0 win over Saint Louis at Aloha Stadium Friday night. But, in the same breath, he couldn't help but gush about the Buffanblu defense, which held the Crusaders scoreless for the first time this season.

Punahou's defense forced four turnovers - two interceptions and two fumbles - while the Buffanblu offense got three touchdowns from quarterback Larry Tuileta and two more from Steven Lakalaka to improve to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu. Saint Louis fell to 4-2 and 1-2.

"They were outstanding once again," Ane said of his defense, which allows barely over a touchdown (7.7 points) per game. "They've carried us throughout the year and certainly led the way again (Friday night)."

Defensive back Ka'aha McAfee-Torco was one of several standouts defensively for the Buffanblu against Saint Louis. The senior corner forced a fumble late in the first quarter - recovered by Jordan Hirai - that led to a 37-yard Tuileta touchdown pass to Cody Lee and picked off a pass in his own end zone with 59 seconds left in the first half to end the Crusaders' best scoring threat of the game.

Saint Louis quarterback Kawai Mook-Garcia targeted Joseph Kea - who was aligned wide right of the formation - on the play, but his pass was tipped in the air by the receiver and into the hands of McAfee-Torco, a 5-foot-10, 170-pound senior, who brought it out to the Crusaders' 4-yard line.

"That kind of deflated our balloon a little bit and (turnovers) have been our achilles' heel all year," said Saint Louis head coach Darnell Arceneaux, who went on to praise the Punahou defense. "I really thought they were fundamentally sound, they did their job and they tackled really well in the open field."

The Buffanblu, who lost defensive tackle Feteleni Sekona with a leg injury in the opening minutes of the game, also sacked Mook-Garcia twice, both in the second half.

"He's one of the leaders of our defense and the rest of the guys really look up to him," Ane said of Sekona.

Ruairi Brady sacked Mook-Garcia on a pivotal third down early in the third quarter, forcing a Saint Louis punt. Punahou capitalized on its next drive and extended its lead to 28-0 with Tuileta's 1-yard quarterback sneak.

DeForest Buckner recorded the Buffanblu's other sack - a seven-yard loss with about nine minutes left in the game - which led to Mook-Garcia's second interception two plays later. Linebacker Isaac Savaiinaea stepped in front of the pass near mid-field and returned it 41 yards to the Saint Louis 9-yard line. Three plays later, Lakalaka punched in his second rushing score from two yards out to make the score 35-0 and induced the mercy-rule running clock.

Punahou, which moved up two spots to No. 4 in this week's ScoringLive/OC16 Football Power Rankings, hosts Damien (0-4, 0-2) at 3:15 p.m. Friday at Alexander Field.


WEEK 6 TOP PERFORMERS

Kalaheo RB Shannon Aiwohi rushed for 167 yards and 2 TDs against Kaimuki.

Konawaena RB Isaiah Chinen rushed for 124 yards and TDs against Ka'u.

'Iolani LB Joshua Conlan recorded 2 sacks against Pac-Five.

Ka'u RB Marc Cuison rushed for 110 yards against Konawaena.

Mililani WR Deshawn Duncan-Benson had 11 receptions for 105 yards against Campbell.

Pac-Five DL Titus Failauga recorded 3 sacks against 'Iolani.

Lahainaluna RB Semisi Filikitonga rushed for 113 yards against Maui.

Anuenue RB Kainalu Kaleo rushed for 139 yards and 3 TDs against Waialua.

Pac-Five RB Alakai Kealoha rushed for 110 yards against 'Iolani.

Kaimuki RB Brandon Kekoa rushed for 98 yards and 2 TDs against Kalaheo.

Pearl City RB Shawn Lopez rushed for 165 yards and 1 TD and caught a 31-yard TD pass against Kalani.

Campbell LB Donavan Poniatowski had 2 sacks against Mililani.

Campbell DL Amate Savusa had 2 sacks and a forced fumble against Mililani.

Campbell QB Justin Tago-Su'e passed for 202 yards and 4 TDs against Mililani.

Farrington RB Tyler Taumua rushed for 211 yards and 3 TDs against Roosevelt.

Kea'au RB Johnny Vance rushed for 116 yards and 1 TD against Hilo.

Kealakehe QB Tyler Yates passed for 264 yards and 3 TDs against Waiakea.

Kailua RB Jarrin Young rushed for 105 yards and 1 TD against Moanalua.