Punahou found its stride utilizing its ground game, then took to the air to take down Leilehua, 49-7, in both teams' season-opener at Hugh Yoshida Stadium.

The Buffanblu, ranked second in the Hawaiian Electric Division I Power Rankings, struggled a bit early with execution early, but found their stride on its third drive. Running back Wayne Taulapapa had a big run called back on a penalty, but got the call again four plays later in the same series and made the most of it, rumbling off right tackle for 18 yards and a Punahou touchdown.

Started Ephraim Tuliloa completed 13-of-22 passes for 144 yards and three touchdowns in the first half, connecting with Judd Cockett on pair of strikes from 15 and 37 yards out respectively. He added another scoring strike to Eamon Brady from 22 yards out, and another to Ethan Takeyama from 8.

Punahou ran the ball only 10 times in the half, with seven of those attempts went to Taulapapa, who averaged just under 9 yards per carry.

Piceno started for the ninth-ranked Mules at quarterback and passed for 64 yards, completing 9 passes on 24 attempts to 5 different receivers. His favorite target by far was Keough, who caught 7 balls for 55 yards, the majority of which came of off short out routes. Piceno also added 10 yards on 14 rushes.

Sophomore Kona Andres came in late in the half in relief of Piceno, but missed on both his pass attempts in the second quarter. He remained at quarterback after halftime, and despite some struggles in the third, put together a nice drive in the fourth, where he hit on 5-of-7 passes for 86 yards, capped off with a 2 yard pass play to Athony Ugalino to put the Mules on the board.

Defensively, Laakea Look had his number called on what seemed like every other play in the first half, and made his presence felt both as a run stopper and in pass defense. Aaron Woo added two interceptions, including one returned back 30 yards for a score. As a unit, the Buffanblu held the Mules to 192 yards of offense in the game, nearly half of that coming on the late scoring drive.