The superlatives keep rolling in for Punahou School.

The best high school athletics program in the country by Sports Illustrated.

The best high school linebacker in the country in Manti Te'o.

Soon to be the most powerful man in the world as an alumnus.

Now, Punahou can add its first state football crown.

Behind an air-tight defense, top-ranked Punahou buried No. 2 Leilehua, 38-7, last night in the championship of the First Hawaiian Bank State Football Division I tournament at Aloha Stadium.

Punahou has won 25 different state tournaments of a possible 31 (including both genders). But now it has the crown jewel in the collection. It came in the 10th anniversary of the tournament.

"Oh, my gosh," Punahou senior receiver Robert Toma said. "All my life we've been working for this championship. It feels great."

It was a special moment for senior running back Dalton Hilliard. He remembers how the Buffanblu lost the 2005 game, a heart-breaking 28-21 defeat. The seniors on this team were freshmen and watching in the stands.

"Being up in the stands, that right corner," Hilliard said pointing the sideline seats toward the north end zone. "That broke my heart. Getting back and doing it tonight, it's a great feeling."

But for the Mules, who have made three state appearances and reached the final each time, it was nothing like last year's storybook ending. QB Andrew Manley, who guided the team to the title after getting called up from the JV during the playoffs, represented his school and community with class.

"We just have to pick ourselves up and move on," the junior quarterback said. "It's not about winning. It's just about being together. We have great coaches. That's what we're grateful for."

The Buffanblu intercepted Manley four times. They also sacked him five times and hurried him into errant throws.

The Mules were contained to just 210 yards of offense and were held to one TD, their lowest output since Kapolei beat them, 21-0, on Sept. 28, 2007.

"It's so great," Punahou coach Kale Ane said. "I'm so happy for my kids and the program."

When the clock ran out, Te'o gave Ane a big hug on the sidelines.

"I told you I'd get you one," Te'o said to his coach.

Senior QB Cayman Shutter had his second consecutive 400-yard passing game. He completed 24 of 41 for 400 yards with TD passes of 28 yards to Mark Silverstein to start the game and 15 yards to Toma to start the fourth quarter. He also ran one in from six yards in the first quarter that made it 14-0.

Silverstein, usually the third or fourth read on plays, led the Buffanblu with 146 yards on nine catches. He had 314 yards all season and one TD entering the game.

Hilliard, who was tied for his team's lead with 18 TDs entering the game, scored on a 38-yard bolt in the second quarter to make it 21-0. He finished with 98 yards rushing.

A fumble by Te'o late in the second quarter set up the Mules' only score of the game, a 5-yard TD pass from Manley to Rico Newman with no time showing on the clock before the half to make it 21-7.

Punahou increased its lead to 24-7 on a 29-yard field goal by Robert Izuta, who had kicked only one all season (from 32 yards).

The Buffanblu opened the fourth quarter with Toma's TD catch and added to the lead late in the game on a 7-yard run by Galen Arakawa that made it 38-7.

The Buffanblu stormed out to a 21-0 lead before the Mules got on the board with no time showing on the clock to make it 21-7 at the half.

Punahou's defense dominated the first half. The Mules didn't cross midfield until four minutes left in the half. But it wasn't until Leilehua recovered a fumble with 2:12 left in the half that it could move on Punahou to get its first score, a 5-yard TD pass from Manley to Newman on an out pattern to the right flat.

Leilehua managed just 90 yards at the half.

Punahou wasted little time after taking the opening kickoff, needing just three plays to move 61 yards with Shutter hitting Silverstein on a 28-yard TD pass to make it 7-0 just 55 seconds into the game.