With its thrilling come-from-behind win over Pearl City Friday night, Nanakuli took over sole possession of first place in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II race with two weeks of the regular season to play.

The Golden Hawks rallied from a 21-7 halftime deficit to hand the Chargers their first loss of the season, while remaining as just one of two unbeaten teams in all of D2 (top-ranked Lahainaluna is the other). They did it with the legs of running back Makaila Haina-Horswill, who ran in three second-half touchdowns, but just as important was the defense, which did not allow a point after halftime.

"In the first half we made too many mistakes," Nanakuli coach Keala Watson said. "We had a game plan that would have worked if we just executed. We really didn't do any adjustments. All we wanted them to do was run the game plan correctly, execute and make big plays."

Pearl City running back Dominic Maneafaiga carried 14 times for 81 yards in the first half. He also caught three passes for 74 yards before the intermission, including a pair of touchdown grabs from quarterback Jordan Taamu. However, Maneafaiga was limited to just 13 rushing yards on five carries in the second half. As a team the Chargers rushed for 108 first-half yards, but just 24 second-half yards. They picked up just five first downs after halftime.

Of its six second-half possession, Pearl City punted twice, turned it over on downs twice — including a failed fake punt — and lost a pair of fumbles, including a costly one just outside of the red zone that Nanakuli recovered in the final minute of the game.

Taamu was the victim of at least five dropped passes by his receivers — which certainly did not help the cause — and then there were the penalties. Pearl City committed 15 of them, costing it 143 yards.

"Our kids had to dig deep," Watson said. "It was a battle — and we expected as much from Pearl City — but this was a huge win for this team and this program."