Growing pains were evident for Word of Life.

The first-year varsity team turned the ball over nine times and No. 9 'Iolani romped to a 35-0 Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division II win yesterday at Kozuki Stadium.

The entire second half was played on a running clock because of the 35-point differential mercy rule. The Raiders (3-1 overall, 2-0 ILH) hit the mark by halftime.

"When you create nine turnovers, you'll never be able to win," WOLA coach Joe Onosai said. "'Iolani's defending state (Division II) champs and you can't make mistakes against (the Raiders)."

The Firebrands (2-3, 0-2) lost the ball just one second into the game, when the Raiders recovered a shallow opening kickoff — it wasn't an onside kick, 'Iolani coach Wendell Look said — that glanced off one of the WOLA players. Although the Raiders didn't capitalize despite starting at the WOLA 47, it sort of set the tone for the game.

"I think it had something to do with (how we played), but we had chances to bounce back," Onosai said of the kickoff.

Three of the WOLA turnovers led to 'Iolani TDs. Sophomore linebacker Matthew Padaca returned a fumble 39 yards for one TD. Later in the second quarter, a fumble and an interception by linebacker Carl Gibson were recycled into TDs.

"The receiver tipped it and I was in the right place at the right time and it just ended up in my hands," Gibson said.

Defensively, the Raiders were able to contain the misdirection plays of WOLA. Having watched the Firebrands explode on Pac-Five last week for 28 first-quarter points caught 'Iolani's attention.

"We were lucky we got to see them before we played them," Look said. "At least we had something to (help us) prepare. Our defensive unit played really well today."

The Firebrands had 153 yards of offense, all from rushing. They threw seven passes, but four were intercepted. Aside from Gibson, Kyle Hanaoka, Reid Saito and Breland Almadova each had interceptions.

Offensively, running back Kellen Imada got the Raiders going with a 47-yard TD run and a 33-yard TD reception on a screen pass from Kela Marciel, who made the most of his one snap as QB. Imada led everyone with 103 yards rushing.

Starting quarterback Jarrett Arakawa completed only two of his first 10 passes for 25 yards, but completed six of his last nine for 61 yards, including TD passes of eight yards to Brandon Ball and 16 yards to Keenan Ho'ohuli.

Although the game was held at 'Iolani, WOLA was the home team. 'Iolani is the home team when they play again Oct. 31.

'IOLANI (4-1, 2-0) 7 28 0 0— 35

WORD OF LIFE (2-3, 0-2) 0 0 0 0—0

'Iol — Kellen Imada 47 run (Andrew Skalman kick)

'Iol — Brandon Ball 8 pass from Jarrett Arakawa (Skalman kick)

'Iol — Matthew Padaca 39 fumble return (Skalman kick)

'Iol — Imada 33 pass from Kela Marciel (Skalman kick)

'Iol — Keenan Ho'ohuli 16 pass from Arakawa (Skalman kick)

RUSHING — 'Iolani: Arakawa 2-(minus 26), Imada 12-103, Ho'ohuli 1-(minus 1), Team 2-(minus 20), Ammon Baldomero 2-(minus 1), Jaron Teramoto 1-4, Jordan DePonte 1-(minus 11).Word of Life: Jacob DeKneef 10-26, Max Mower 10-41, Alex Bodine 1-4, Branson Silva 2-5, Kala'i Bustos 11-53, Ryan Alvarado 9-4, Warren Malaki 3-13, Gabe Miller 4-7.

PASSING — 'Iolani: Arakawa 8-19-0—86, Marciel 1-1-0—33. Word of Life: DeKneef 0-6-3—0, Alvarado 0-1-1—0.

RECEIVING — 'Iolani: Ho'ohuli 5-49, Ball 3-37, Imada 1-33. Word of Life: none.