Football
Saint Louis topples Punahou to level record, keep pace in ILH Open standings


ScoringLive staff
October 11, 2025, 9:29pm

  

Sat, Oct 11, 2025 @ Punahou [ 3:00 pm ]

Saint Louis

31

Punahou

6

Final 1 2 3 4 T
Saint Louis (5-3-0) 10 0 7 1431
Punahou (3-6-0) 0 6 0 06
Hunter Fujikawa 50 yd
Nainoa Lopes 144 yd 1 TD
Tai Utoafili 17 yd
Jordan Nunuha 89 yd 2 TD



It wasn't mathematically a must win game for the Crusaders, but it might as well as have been.

A first half battle saw Saint Louis methodically pull away in the second half, en route to a 31-6 win in an afternoon affair at Alexander Field, a much needed rebound after suffering a regular season opening loss to Kamehameha a week ago.

"After that loss you know we just felt like we had to come out here and just do our jobs, just really come together and just put on a show for the fans, our coaches and ourselves too," said Jordan Nunuha of the win.

Nunuha hauled in a pair of touchdowns in the second half, one from Mose Lilo and the other from Nainoa Lopes, allowing the Crusaders' defense more than enough cushion to put the clamps on the Buffanblu offense down the stretch. He had five receptions for a game high 89 yards, while fellow pass catcher Kingston Siliado had five grabs of his own for 71 yards.

"All the weapons we have, we can use me, King (Siliado), Nari (Fuamatu-Maafala), you know we have a lot weapons on our team," said Nunuha. "I think that when we utilize all of us together, it kind of makes it easier for Nainoa and our coaches as well."

Saint Louis got on the board via its defense in the opening moments of the contest, as Trent Lepule picked off a third down pass and returned it 39 yards the other way to make it 7-0. Special teams then contributed to the lead via a 26 yard field goal by Toa-Rai Ellacott to close out the first quarter.

The home team put together a scoring drive early in the second quarter, capped off by a one yard keeper by Hunter Fujikawa at the 9:56 mark to made it 10-6 at the break, but that would be the only blemish on what was overall a clinic put on a Crusaders' D that allowed just 126 yards of total offense in the contest.

"They (our defense) preach a lot about coming out here and doing what they got to do and it shows every time they come out onto the field," said Nunuha. "Very thankful as well because without them, you know, defense wins championships and that's what that is."

Elijah Martines broke free in the closing minutes for a 14 yard jaunt to the endzone to cap the Crusaders' scoring.

The win allowed the Crusaders to avoid an 0-2 start to a regular season consisting of just four games.

"You know, this game was a must win, especially for us," said Siliado. "You know, we can't lose no more."




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