Pearl City quarterback Jordan Taamu threw for 247 yards and three touchdowns in a win against Radford. Evan Asato | SL

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Pearl City quarterback Jordan Taamu threw for 247 yards and three touchdowns in a win against Radford. Evan Asato | SL

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AIEA — Pearl City had just enough juice left in its tank to charge past Radford, 34-26 in an Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II contest at Aiea high Saturday night.

A crowd of about 1500 were on hand to witness the Chargers, ranked No. 4 in the ScoringLive/OC16 Division II Power Rankings, improve to 5-0 by handing Radford (4-2 overall, 4-1 league) its first loss in league play.

Pearl City’s victory makes next week’s matchup against Nanakuli (5-0) a battle for first place in the division.

“I’d say this is a big win because not only the offense did well but the whole team as well. It just helps boost our confidence for the game against Nanakuli next week,” said Pearl City quarterback Jordan Taamu. “I have to thank our oline, all our slots catching the balls and our defense holding them down till the very end.”

Taamu played a big part in the Chargers’ win, completing 21 of his 32 pass attempts for 247 yards and three touchdowns. The senior quarterback also engineered the game-winning six-play, 85-yard drive to break a 26-all ball game with 2:17 remaining in regulation. Taamu’s touchdown pass and two-point conversion to Israel Kaleo gave the game’s final point total.

“We said we’ll separate the man from the boys and this is where it all counts, in the fourth quarter,” Taamu said on the game-winning drive.

Also coming up for big the Chargers was running back Dominic Manefaiga. The shifty senior carried the ball 18 times for 107 yards and a touchdown. Manefaiga also caught three passes for 68 yards and two touchdowns.

“Having Dominic on our team is big. He’s an athletic guy, he has heart and he’s a leader out there,” Taamu said on Maneafaiga.

Radford drew first blood with a seven-play, 65-yard drive that was capped with Andrew Morgan’s 11-yard pass to Dylan Frank. The Rams converted two third downs on the drive.

Pearl City answered with a 4-play, 52-yard drive on its ensuing series. Jarrett Sanchez’ eight-yard touchdown run tied things up at 6-all.

The Chargers’ next score came on Taamu’s first touchdown pass of the game. The senior quarterback evaded pressure from the pocket to throw a 55-yard touchdown pass off his back foot to Maneafaiga. The duo later hooked up for nine-yard touchdown play in the second quarter.

Radford broke the Chargers’ scoring spree with a 34-yard connection between quarterback Quintas Ward and receiver Solomon Loggins with 2:03 left in the first half. Pearl City held a 20-12 lead at the break.

The Rams got the second half scoring with Ward’s 50-yard touchdown pass to Thomas Reid. Manefaiga scored on a 10-yard run as the third quarter expired to give Pearl City a 26-18 lead heading into the fourth quarter.