Could the best team in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu be a Division II squad?

No. 8 'Iolani proved it belongs with the league's three Division I teams with a stunning 35-30 victory over No. 1 Saint Louis last night at Aloha Stadium.

A hoard of 'Iolani defenders, led by sophomore linebacker Cody Petro-Sakuma and junior lineman Sealii Epenesa, sacked Saint Louis quarterback Jeremy Higgins on fourth and goal with less than 20 seconds remaining to leave the Raiders (7-1, 5-0) as the only undefeated team left in the ILH.

Their only loss came in a nonconference game against defending state champion Leilehua.

“;Our defense has been carrying us and it's another hell of an effort,”; 'Iolani coach Wendell Look said. “;That's a hell of a goal-line stand right there.”;

ILH Division II teams were 1-37 against their Division I league rivals since the league went to two divisions in 2004. The only win came when 'Iolani defeated Saint Louis 36-31 in 2004, and the expectation to do it again is what helped the Raiders down the stretch.

“;These kids expected to win,”; Look said. “;They talked about getting the opportunity to play the No. 1 team in the state. They're only going to get one shot at them and they prepared themselves expecting to win.”;

Saint Louis (4-1, 2-1) lost its first regular-season game in three years, but nearly pulled off the comeback. Trailing 35-24 with less than 3 minutes left, Higgins engineered a 10-play, 61-yard drive with Austin Wakinekona scoring his third touchdown of the game to cut the lead to five.

After missing a 2-point conversion, the Crusaders forced the Raiders to go three and out and got the ball back with 1:20 left. Higgins quickly completed four passes to move the ball to the 'Iolani 9. After two Higgins runs and an incompletion set up fourth and goal from the 4, Higgins rolled to his left looking for a receiver when he was gang-tackled by a multitude of 'Iolani defenders to secure the win.

“;We knew we were the underdogs, but we know we can compete with the Division I teams,”; said wide receiver Keenan Hoohuli, who caught two touchdown passes. “;We just had to come out here and show everyone that we could.”;

The Crusaders held their 24-21 halftime lead until Jarrett Arakawa hooked up with Hoohuli for a 34-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

On the ensuing drive, the Crusaders were forced to punt. The snap went over the punter's head and rolled all the way to the end zone where Reuben Sele scooped it up to give the Raiders a 35-24 lead.

“;Our defense stepped up,”; Hoohuli said. “;They played a huge role in our win today.”;

Wakinekona led the Crusaders with 141 rushing yards on 22 carries. Higgins finished 23-for-38 passing for 220 yards and a touchdown.

Arakawa finished 13-for-29 for 153 yards and three touchdowns with an interception. Kellen Imada finished with only 54 rushing yards, but found the end zone twice and had a big 20-yard carry on the drive that gave the Raiders the go-ahead score.

No. 6 Kamehameha 48, Damien 0

Ryan Ho rushed for 187 yards and four touchdowns and the Warriors (4-3, 1-2) piled up 514 total yards of offense in a shutout of the Monarchs (5-3, 2-3).

Starting quarterback Edmund Kamano Jr. was 6-for-10 for 98 yards and two touchdowns and backup TC Campbell completed his first five passes, including a 6-yard strike to Pii Minns to cap a 41-point first half. Kamehameha completed 11 passes to 11 different receivers.

Ho scored on runs of 47, 58, and 16 yards before plowing into the end zone from a yard out for the only touchdown of the second half.