Kamehameha took the lead in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division I football race last night, holding off Saint Louis, 15-6, at soggy Aloha Stadium.

An estimated crowd of about 5,000 watched the Warriors — ranked No. 5 in The Advertiser's statewide Top 10 poll of coaches and media — improve to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the ILH. The Crusaders, ranked No. 2, fell to 5-2, 2-2.

Last night's showdown turned into a defensive struggled marked by several turnovers on each side.

Kamehameha broke a 6-6 tie on the first play from scrimmage in the second half, when Kawika Stant picked up a fumble by Saint Louis quarterback Jeremy Higgins and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown.

Higgins appeared to be throwing the ball as he was being tackled, but the ball was ruled a fumble after it was kicked by a nearby Crusaders lineman. Stant picked up the loose ball and rambled down the right sideline into the end zone.

The "Statue of Liberty" two-point conversion play fell short.

Drew Honda added a 36-yard field goal with 2:43 remaining in the third quarter, as the line-drive ball hit the crossbar and skipped over.

Saint Louis missed a 47-yard field goal attempt early in the fourth quarter, and later a long drive to the Warriors' 13-yard line ended with Micah Choy's interception in the end zone on fourth-and-1.

The Crusaders had one last possession starting at their own 16 after a 56-yard punt with less than three minutes left, but they ended up punting from their own 8 and Kamehameha was able to run out the clock on the ensuing series.

The Warriors took a 6-0 lead midway through the second quarter on TC Campbell's 7-yard TD pass to Blaise Cuban, but the extra point attempt failed and Saint Louis tied it on the ensuing possession on Jeremy Higgins' 55-yard pass to Duke Bukoski.

Higgins finished with 14 completions in 34 attempts for 180 yards, with four interceptions.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456. Read his blog on high school sports at www.preptalk.honadvblogs.com

KAMEHAMEHA (6-1, 3-1) 0 6 9 0—15

SAINT LOUIS (5-2, 2-2) 0 6 0 0— 6

KS — Blaise Cuban 7 pass from TC Campbell (kick failed)

SL — Duke Bukoski 55 pass from Jeremy Higgins (kick blocked)

KS — Kawika Stant 35 fumble return (run failed)

KS — FG Drew Honda 36

RUSHING — Kamehameha: Cuban 1-8; Ryan Ho 25-92; Jason Muraoka 6-27; Campbell 10-(minus-34). Saint Louis: Higgins 3-(minus-16); Vonn Feao 2-9; Emmett McShane 4-7; Marcus Mariota 1-(minus-3).

PASSING — Kamehameha: Campbell 11-21-2—113. Saint Louis: Higgins 14-34-4—180.

RECEIVING — Kamehameha: Ho 1-23; Alika Bell 1-5; Charley Bollig 4-58; Keolapau'ole Bradley 1-7; Matthew Mitravich 1-4; Cuban 3-16. Saint Louis: Bukoski 4-79; Jordan Fukumoto 5-39; Keao Aliviado 1-22; Shaun Ahlo 4-40.