WAI'ANAE — Despite four turnovers, two inside its own territory, Wai'anae's defense picked up where it left off last season to humble Farrington, 21-7, last night in nonleague high school football at Raymond Torii Field.

The Seariders (1-0) allowed just 128 net yards with more than half coming on a long touchdown pass in the waning seconds with the game secured.

Running back Justin Kauwalu rushed for two touchdowns and led with 83 yards rushing in 13 tries, while another running back Danny Kekoanui rushed for the other TD and had 51 yards on 15 carries.

It was a far cry from a year ago, when the Governors stormed to a 37-0 win. Farrington could not generate any movement, garnering just six first downs, two of them aided by penalties.

"We're just developing a little slow," Farrington coach Randall Okimoto said.

Fortunately, the Govs have another nonleague game next week to work out the kinks before its O'ahu Interscholastic Association East opener at Kailua on Aug. 31.

"It always helps to get these guys in sync," Okimoto said of next week's game against Damien that does not count against their division standing.

Despite the Seariders defensive success, defensive coordinator Jason Hussey said it's still too early to judge his group. The Seariders open divisional play next week against Mililani.

"We're still a young defense," Hussey said. "We're still learning. We're coming along, but we're definitely not there yet."

The Seariders wasted little time against Farrington's defense, scoring on their first series with a 10-play, 55-yard drive capped by Kekoanui's 1-yard plunge through the middle. Glenn Wain missed the PAT, keeping it 6-0 with 5:04 left in the first quarter.

Wai'anae turned the ball over on three of its next four possessions before the half. Senior quarterback Ben McQuown was intercepted three times by defensive backs Jimmy Robinson and Kalei Stevens and linebacker Grant Hamilton.

The Seariders kept the ball on the ground for all nine plays for an 85-yard drive that ended in Kauwalu's 3-yard run with 4:50 left in the third quarter. The Seariders went for the 2-point conversion, but were penalized for illegal procedure and were pushed back to the 8. McQuown rolled right and hit B.J. Jelf on the right side of the end zone to make it 14-0.

The Seariders again went with all runs in a 10-play, 60-yard drive that ended with Kauwalu's 4-yard TD run with 5:05 left in the game. Wain's PAT made it 21-0.

The Governors avoided the shutout when quarterback Alefosio Iu hit Ani Isumu on the right sideline for a 69-yard catch-and-run score with 14 seconds left.

FARRINGTON (0-1) 0 0 0 7— 7

WAI'ANAE (1-0) 6 0 8 7—21

Waian — Danny Kekoanui 1 run (kick failed).

Waian — Justin Kauwalu 3 run (B.J. Jelf pass from Ben McQuown).

Waian — Kauwalu 4 run (Glenn Wain kick).

Farr — Ani Isumu 69 pass from Alefosiu Iu (Matt Stowers kick).

RUSHING — Farrington: Alefosiu Iu 9-(minus 29), Cameron Matautia 3-(minus 2), Stowers 1-(minus 1), Anthony Noga 2-7, Joshua Fernandez 9-20. Wai'anae: McQuown 5-4, Kekoanui 15-51, Kauwalu 13-83, Toagamalu Brown 1-1, Harold Viela 3-13, Jelf 7-66, Rex Paredes 1-5, Shawn Brooks 3-6.

PASSING — Farrington: Iu 11-21-0—137. Wai'anae: McQuown 3-8-3—33.

RECEIVING — Farrington: Fernandez 5-36, Matt Stowers 4-26, Ani Isumu 2-75. Wai'anae: Kekoanui 2-23, RJ Tacgere-Bailey 1-10.

JV score — Wai'anae 7, Farrington 6.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.