Punahou running back Wayne Talaupapa high steps his way past Saint Francis defenders in a game at Punahou's home field. Nick Endo | Special to SL

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Punahou running back Wayne Talaupapa high steps his way past Saint Francis defenders in a game at Punahou's home field. Nick Endo | Special to SL

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Top-ranked Punahou overwhelmed Saint Francis, 56-0, in an Interscholastic League of Honolulu matchup at Punahou’s Alexander Field on Saturday afternoon. The Buffanblu improve to 3-0 in the ILH, while the Saints fall to 0-3 in the ILH. 

Wayne Taulapapa had 6 carries for 153 yards and three touchdowns and Ephraim Tuliloa went 9-of-12 passing for 178 yards and a touchdown in the first half. 

Punahou jumped out to a 17-0 lead with a little over 2 minutes remaining in the first quarter after John Toner kicked a 34-yard field goal and Wayne Taulapapa scored a 9-yard touchdown and a 63-yard touchdown. Toner went 7-of-7 for PATs for the game. 

Following an interception by Robert Nakihei, Ephraim Tuliloa threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Kanawai Noa to make it, 24-0 with 12 seconds remaining in the first quarter. 

Punahou scored 28 points in the second quarter. Taulapapa ran it for a 6-yd touchdown, his third rushing touchdown of the game and eight seconds later, Seyddrick Lakalaka intercepted Kawika Ulufale’s pass and scored on a 25-yard return. Heisman Hosoda scored on a 1-yard run to make it, 45-0 with 7:55 remaining. 

Blaze Umiamaka threw his second interception of the game to Saitui Moeai who returned it for a 27-yard touchdown return to put the Buffanblu up, 52-0 at halftime. 

In the second half since the point differential was more than 35 points, the game went into running clock. The Buffanblu scored on two safeties, both in the third quarter: Patamo Soa and Ian Ramirez each sacked Ulufale in the end zone. 

Saint Francis got all the way down to the Punahou 10-yard line late in the fourth, but could not get off the field goal in time as the clock expired. 

Punahou has a bye week and will host Division II No. 2 Iolani on Sept. 26. at 3 pm. Saint Francis will play Division II No. 10 Damien at Aloha Stadium on Sept. 20 at 11:30 AM.