WAHIAWA — Despite mud covering each of its players from helmet to toe, the 'Aiea High School football team looked pretty special last night.

Boosted by their play on special teams, the visiting Na Ali'i held off Leilehua, 14-13, on a slushy field at Hugh Yoshida Stadium. It was 'Aiea's first victory in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association, improving Na Ali'i's record to 3-2 overall and 1-2 in the OIA's rugged Red Conference Western Division.

Leilehua, with three key starters still injured, lost its third straight game and fell to 2-3, 1-2.

"We were 2-0 and riding high in the preseason, and then we went through two humbling losses (to Kapolei and Wai'anae)," said 'Aiea's Adrian Labuda, who scored on a 53-yard punt return and later added a 40-yard return. "The captains and the seniors got together and said we better start winning again. We felt we had to win tonight."

Na Ali'i won despite being out-gained 309 yards to 53, thanks in large part to clutch play on special teams.

Labuda broke a 7-7 tie in the second quarter with his 53-yard return, and Mark Atta's extra point made it 14-7. The Mules answered with a 29-yard touchdown pass from Guy Cantrell to Martin Iosefo with 4:04 remaining in the half, but the extra point attempt was blocked.

On its final possession of the half, Leilehua faked a punt but lost the ball on downs.

Late in the third quarter, the Mules' 32-yard field goal attempt was blocked. They stopped 'Aiea on the ensuing series, but were pinned on their own 3-yard line after two penalties on the punt return.

When Leilehua punted, Labuda returned it 40 yards to the Mules' 5. Leilehua recovered a fumble two plays later, but had to travel 95 yards with 5:09 showing on the clock.

The Mules advanced to Na Ali'i's 43, but they were intercepted on fourth-and-25 with 58 seconds left and 'Aiea ran out the clock.

The loss overshadowed an inspiring performance by Cantrell, who threw for 252 yards while filling in for starting quarterback Bryant Moniz, who is out with a broken collarbone.

"Cantrell threw the short passes well," said Na Ali'i coach Wendell Say. "We couldn't get anything established, but (the Mules) were really moving the ball."

In the end, though, the big plays hurt Leilehua.

"Special teams actually has been one of our concerns since last season," Mules coach Nolan Tokuda said. "We've spent a lot of time on it in practice, but maybe we need to start looking at quality instead of quantity. We lost a lot of field position tonight."

Tokuda said injured starting linebackers Guyes Galdeira and Mene Coffin are expected back next week, but Moniz is still sidelined.

'AIEA (3-2, 1-2) 7 7 0 0—14

LEILEHUA (2-3, 1-2) 7 6 0 0—13

'Aiea—Aleni Loa 9 run (Mark Atta kick)

Lei—Joe Iosefa 40 pass from Guy Cantrell (Daniel Phelps kick)

'Aiea—Adrian Labuda 53 punt return (Atta kick)

Lei—Martin Iosefo 29 pass from Cantrell (kick blocked)

RUSHING — 'Aiea: Loa 5-18, Landon Dela Cruz 5-7, Crenston Ioapo 3-3, Kali Kuia 1-0, Lofa Li'ili'i 1-0. Lei: Cantrell 11-16, Paul Hernandez 8-17, Aric Edra 8-14, Tino Pablico 5-14, Phelps 1-(minus-4).

PASSING — 'Aiea: Kuia 5-12-0—25. Lei: Cantrell 17-38-1—252.

RECEIVING—'Aiea: Lahaina Olsen-Kuroda 4-29, Li'ili'i 1-(minus-4). Lei: Christian Mendez 9-127, Iosefa 3-63, Iosefo 3-39, Dustin Pau'u 1-17, Hernandez 1-6.

JV score: Leilehua 42, 'Aiea 0

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.