At Friday’s first home game of the season, the Punahou varsity football team defeated Kamehameha 15-5 and also made history. It was the first time since 1931 that the team played a varsity football game against Kamehameha on Alexander Field.
The game started slowly, as neither offense could get anything going in the first half. After its first possession, the Buff ’n Blue lined up to punt, but the snap sailed over the punter’s head and through the back of the endzone for a safety. The Warriors followed up with a field goal to take a 5 – 0 lead into halftime.
Both offensives continued to struggle in the second half, until Alaka‘i Gilman ’20 blocked a Kamehameha punt in the fourth quarter. The play energized the team, and freshman quarteback John-Keawe Sagapolutele ’23 – filling in for the injured Hugh Brady ’20 – connected with Koa Eldredge ’20 for Punahou’s first points of the day. The duo connected again shortly after that to take a 15 – 5 lead. The defense held on in the final minutes to seal the victory.
Punahou is now 3 – 0. They will play Kapolei on Aug. 24 before traveling to California to take on Long Beach Polytechnic High School. Alumni in Southern California are invited to register for a PAASC Buff ’n Blue Reception and Pre-game Picnic and Pep Rally.