Punahou linebacker Zachary Hernandez made sure Thursday night wasn’t his final high school game.
With the Buffanblu’s postseason hopes fading in stunning fashion, Hernandez returned an interception 20 yards for a touchdown after Saint Louis scored 19 unanswered points, and the sixth-ranked Buffanblu defeated No. 7 Saint Louis 31-19 in the regular-season finale for both teams.
Punahou (6-1, 9-2) finished in a first-place tie with Kamehameha. The two teams will play Thursday to determine the Interscholastic League of Honolulu’s representative in the Division I state tournament that begins in two weeks.
"It didn’t end as well as we wanted it, but we got back up and held it down for our team," said defensive end DeForest Buckner, whose sack and forced fumble and recovery ended Saint Louis’ final possession.
The Buffanblu looked to have things in control, leading 24-0 midway through the third quarter, when the Crusaders scored three straight touchdowns.
Joseph Kea caught a 13-yard scoring pass and Kamana Pimental, who finished with 138 rushing yards, scored on runs of 3 and 54 yards to make it 24-19.
On Punahou’s next possession, running back Steven Lakalaka, who rushed for 132 yards on 24 carries, was stopped a foot short of the marker on third down.
After originally lining up to go for it on fourth down at the Saint Louis 48, Buffanblu coach Kale Ane called a timeout and decided to punt to put the game — and the season — in the hands of his defense.
"It was a tough call; we weren’t sure if we were going to go for it or punt," Ane said. "When you got such a great runner in (Lakalaka) and our offensive line was playing great, but the percentage call I think was to punt it and let our defense make a play."
It worked to perfection, as Hernandez picked off Kaiwi Mook-Garcia’s pass in the flat and returned it 20 yards for the score, ending the Crusaders’ comeback bid.
"I just saw the ball release from his hand, and Coach always teaches us to jump the route," Hernandez said. "I ran faster then I’ve ever ran before."
Saint Louis finished with 251 yards after totaling only 38 in a first half in which it only converted three first downs.
Mook-Garcia completed 16 of 32 passes but for only 73 yards.
A year after winning a state championship, Saint Louis finished below .500 at 3-4 in ILH play.
"We have high expectations every year at Saint Louis and it’s tough," Crusaders coach Darnell Arceneaux said. "It’ll continue to be like that."
Lakalaka capped a nine-play, 66-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run and Jacob Ioane ended the Buffanblu’s second possession with a 4-yard touchdown reception for an early 14-0 lead.
Kaimi Fairbairn increased the Punahou lead to 17-0 with a 38-yard field goal early in the second quarter.
The Buffanblu extended their lead, making a nine-play, 69-yard drive to open the second half look easy as Lakalaka punched it in from 4 yards out for his second rushing touchdown.
After Fairbairn missed a 58-yard field goal, Saint Louis upped its tempo on offense, and the result was a 13-yard touchdown pass from Mook-Garcia to Kea late in the third quarter.
After a sack by linebacker Colton Goeas forced a three and out by the Buffanblu, the Crusaders again marched down the field, with Pimental following a big 25-yard run with a 3-yard touchdown to cut the Punahou lead to 24-12.
The Buffanblu again couldn’t convert a first down and Pimental made them pay, going 54 yards for a touchdown to make it 24-19 with 4:29 left.
At Aloha Stadium
| Saint Louis (3-4, 6-4) |
0 |
0 |
6 |
13 — 19 |
| Punahou (6-1, 9-2) |
14 |
3 |
7 |
7 — 31 |
Pun—Steven Lakalaka 1 run (Kaimi Fairbairn kick)
Pun—Jacob Ioane 4 pass from Larry Tuileta (Fairbairn kick)
Pun—FG Fairbairn 38
Pun—Lakalaka 4 run (Fairbairn kick)
StL—Joseph Kea 13 pass from Kaiwi Mook-Garcia (kick failed)
StL—Kamana Pimental 3 run (pass failed)
StL—Pimental 54 run (Andrew Baltazar kick)
Pun—Zachary Hernandez 20 interception return (Fairbairn kick)
RUSHING—Saint Louis: Pimental 16-138, Adam Noga 6-27, Mook-Garcia 6-7, Ricky Ahlo-Pinera 1-6. Punahou: Lakalaka 24-132, Malik Johnson 1-13, Cody Lee 2-8, Tuileta 5-1, team 3-(-3).
PASSING—Saint Louis: Mook-Garcia 16-32-1-73. Punahou: Tuileta 14-22-0-96, Kale Dyas 0-1-0-0.
RECEIVING—Saint Louis: Aaron Goo 8-10, Kainoa Abreu 3-30, Kea 2-16, Ahlo-Pinera 2-11, Joel Letolo 1-6. Punahou: Lakalaka 7-27, Noah Willey 2-32, Ryan Tuiasoa 2-15, Johnson 1-13, Taylor McClafferty 1-5, Ioane 1-4.
