Photos: Chase Eveleth ’25
Eddie Hamada Field—In a rainy contest along the Ala Wai, Punahou 2 couldn’t stay afloat.
The Iolani Raiders outlasted the Punahou Buff ‘n Blue Varsity 2 team in a game that had a close start but quickly turned into a dominant performance by the Raiders. Both teams came out swinging, trading early touchdowns to leave the game tied at 14-14 in the early second quarter.
However, a key fumble recovery in the second quarter shifted the momentum in favor of Iolani, and they never looked back. Sparked by an electrifying 80-yard punt return from wideout Kekame Kane, the Raiders piled on the points and widened the gap. Kane’s game-changing play injected energy into his team, extended their lead, and sparked the beginning of a second-quarter surge that Punahou struggled to contain.
Iolani quarterback CJ Villanueva was also impressive, slicing through the Punahou defense. Villanueva threw for four touchdowns on just 18 attempts, showcasing his efficiency and poise despite the wet conditions.
Despite the lopsided score, Punahou found a bright spot in freshman running back Asa Alshemary, who provided much-needed energy for the Buff ‘n Blue faithful. Alshemary rushed for 139 yards and scored Punahou’s only two touchdowns, showing both grit and promise. His performance was a significant improvement from previous games and provided a reason for optimism as Punahou continues to develop its young talent.
Punahou’s Varsity 2 team, now 0-2 on the season, will look to improve as they prepare for their next matchup against PAC 5 on Saturday, September 14. The team will be eager to secure their first win of the season and build some momentum.
For Iolani, the victory lifts them to 2-2, and they will face a much tougher challenge next Friday when they take on Punahou’s Varsity 1 team. The Raiders will be eager to prove themselves in what promises to be a much-anticipated showdown.