'Iolani continued to muddle up the Interscholastic League of Honolulu football title picture yesterday, stunning defending Division I state champion Punahou, 35-12, before a home crowd of about 1,800 at Eddie Hamada Field.

The defending DII state champ Raiders, ranked No. 9 in The Advertiser's statewide Top 10 poll of coaches and media, improved to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the ILH. The Buffanblu, ranked No. 6, fell to 2-4, 2-2.

'Iolani's other victories include a 23-21 nonleague win over Kapolei and a 20-17 upset of Kamehameha — both considered potential Division I state contenders. The Raiders are the only ILH team unbeaten in league play.

"They can compete with anybody," Punahou coach Kale Ane said. "They played very well and wanted it more than we did today."

'Iolani led 21-7 at halftime after three touchdown passes by Jarrett Arakawa, but the Buffanblu got a safety with 7:01 remaining in the third quarter and Kaimi Fairbairn's 26-yard field goal closed it to 21-12 less than two minutes later.

Punahou then forced the Raiders into a three-and-out after the ensuing kickoff, but three plays later, 'Iolani defensive back Reid Saito intercepted a swing pass to the right side and returned it 57 yards untouched for a TD.

Andrew Skalman's extra point made it 28-12 with 3:33 left in the quarter.

"I read five hitches — they lined up in a spread and I didn't see anybody running a streak (pattern)," said Saito, a 5-foot-10, 175-pound junior who intercepted two other passes later. "The quarterback took a while to throw it, so I just stepped in front of it."

Raiders coach Wendell Look said the "pick-six" could have been a turning point.

"The momentum was shifting after the safety," Look said. "Reid hurt his finger earlier this season, but he had a breakout game against Pac-Five (last week). Our whole defense is playing well."

'Iolani stopped the Buffanblu on downs at the Raiders' 32-yard line on the next possession, and Saito's diving interception near midfield killed another Punahou drive early in the fourth quarter.

The Buffanblu later marched 58 yards to the 'Iolani 19, but Raiders defensive lineman Greg Lum picked up a fumble in the backfield and returned it 68 yards for a touchdown and Skalman's PAT made it 35-12 with 7:28 remaining.

Punahou's next two possessions ended with Saito's leaping interception in the end zone and a fumble recovery by defensive back Austin Slade-Matautia.

"Wendell threw some things at us that we haven't seen, and their guys were very tenacious," Ane said. "They were very deserving of the win."

PUNAHOU (2-4, 2-2) 7 0 5 0 — 12

'IOLANI (6-0, 4-0) 7 14 7 7 — 35

'IOL — Ammon Baldomero 18 pass from Jarrett Arakawa (Andrew Skalman kick).

PUN — Stabren Caires 41 run (Kaimi Fairbairn kick).

'IOL — Kevin Barayuga 9 pass from Arakawa (Skalman kick).

'IOL — Barayuga 21 pass from Arakawa (Skalman kick).

PUN — Safety, Sean Nada tackled in end zone.

PUN — FG Fairbairn 26.

'IOL — Reid Saito 57 interception return (Skalman kick).

'IOL — Greg Lum 68 fumble return (Skalman kick).

RUSHING — Punahou: Caires 11-81; Kaiana Eldredge 2-(minus-10); Liloa Travis 4-2; Jeffrey Pedrina 1-(minus-7). 'Iolani: Baldomero 22-66; Kasey Takahashi 1-(minus-2); Arakawa 4-5; Alex Matsunami 2-1; Barayuga 1-(minus-5).

PASSING — Punahou: Eldredge 4-13-1—49; Travis 15-26-3—194. 'Iolani: Arakawa 20-36-0—193.

RECEIVING — Punahou: Matthew Parrish 6-94; Mountain Mitchell 4-41; Pedrina 3-63; Forrest Kim 2-35; Caires 1-(minus-2); Steven Lakalaka 1-3; Dean Matsuo 1-4; Cole Dudoit 1-5. 'Iolani: Baldomero 3-30; Takahashi 1-15; Trevyn Tulonghari 5-36; Matt Talavera 4-41; Barayuga 7-71.

Read his blog on high school sports at http://preptalk.honadvblogs.com.