McKinley no problem for Punahou

To make it clear for Punahou fans and haters alike, there is absolutely no quarterback controversy.

Cayman Shutter and Kimo Makaula combined for 414 passing yards as No. 4-ranked Punahou overwhelmed McKinley 56-18 yesterday at Alexander Field. The two alternated at quarterback every few plays and delivered big.

"It's not a controversy. It's just great competition," coach Kale Ane said. "They made good reads and we caught the ball."

Makaula, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound former linebacker, completed 12 of 16 attempts for 153 yards with no interceptions. Shutter, who didn't start but shuttled in and out with Makaula, was 10-for-11 for 261 yards and five touchdowns without a pick.

Running back Dalton Hilliard ran for 48 yards on seven carries and caught three passes for 76 yards. Robbie Toma was spectacular at times and caught five passes for 143 yards.

Punahou's defense was steady, containing McKinley's flex option for most of the afternoon. Linebacker Manti Te'o showed no negative effects of last year's season-ending foot injury, spearheading a relentless unit.

However, his most memorable moment probably wasn't a 20-yard sack of McKinley's Earvin Sione. Te'o, who lines up at running back occasionally, broke off a 99-yard touchdown run in the second half, pulling away from McKinley defenders at the Punahou 35-yard line.

"That's what happens when you're in Te'o hell," he said, referring to his summer workouts with dad. He finished with three touchdowns on just four touches.

His play at linebacker, though, left an impression on Sione.

"I expected to see that from their linebackers, flying all over. Very disciplined," Sione said. "Te'o is a monster out there."

Sione didn't fare badly. The 6-4 senior was 14-for-28 for 219 yards, two touchdowns with no interceptions.

"The score's not an indication of how competitive the game was. We got beaten on a few plays, but I'm proud of our effort. McKinley's going to have a good season. Bobby Grey's a very good coach," said Punahou coach Kale Ane, who recalled playing against Grey's father, Chester Grey, in the late 1960s.

This was the first battle between the two schools since 1971, the year after public schools in Honolulu left the Interscholastic League of Honolulu to form the Oahu Interscholastic Association.

History aside, McKinley was close for two quarters. Punahou got a 5-yard touchdown run from Te'o on its opening drive. Sione drove McKinley 73 yards and scored on a 5-yard keeper to bring the Tigers within 7-6 with 2:14 to go in the first quarter.

Shutter then threw his first touchdown pass, a 62-yarder to Kameron Steinhoff, and the Buffanblu caught fire. Toma hauled in a perfect 63-yard bomb from Shutter to give Punahou a 20-6 lead.

Tavita Woodward, a 6-3 receiver, who had five receptions for 169 yards, pulled in a short pass from Sione and raced down the sideline for a 75-yard touchdown to bring McKinley within 20-12 with 8:14 to play in the first half.

However, Shutter tossed a pass to Te'o in the flat, and he raced 22 yards for a touchdown, and Hilliard added a 2-yard scoring run to give Punahou a 35-12 halftime lead.