Punahou kept its title hopes alive by rallying past Iolani, 24-20, yesterday in Interscholastic League of Honolulu football at Iolani's Kozuki Stadium.

The Buffanblu (7-2 overall, 4-2 ILH), ranked third in The Advertiser Top 10, scored two third-quarter touchdowns to overcome a 17-10 halftime deficit and turn back the No. 7 Raiders (6-4, 3-3).

Iolani's hopes for a chance at the overall ILH title faded when quarterback Kiran Kepo'o fumbled after a 13-yard gain with 37 seconds left in the game to end any kind of Iolani comeback.

"We had to take care of our end, which was to win today at Iolani," Punahou coach Kale Ane said. "Iolani's a great team, and we're very pleased to win the game."

The Buffanblu defense held Iolani with 2:46 left in the game when Iolani failed to convert on fourth-and-4 from its own 29. Punahou took over with 2:38 left, but Iolani used its three timeouts to hold the clock. River Kim's 35-yard field goal attempt was partially blocked and Iolani took over at its 20 with 1:01 left.

After Kepo'o completed two passes for 21 yards, he scrambled for a 13-yard gain, but was met by a couple Punahou defenders, who caused him to fumble with Trenton Zane recovering at the Punahou 46 with 37 seconds left to seal the victory.

The Buffanblu scored on their first possession of the second half when Brett Kan hit Zac Yamagishi on a 24-yard TD pass. Kim's PAT tied the game at 17 with 8:05 left in the third quarter.

Punahou then got good field position when a high snap from center with Iolani in punt formation gave the Buffanblu possession at the Iolani 39. Five plays later, running back Ryan Nobriga scored on a 2-yard TD run to give Punahou a 24-17 lead with 1:40 left in the third quarter.

Iolani cut its deficit early in the fourth quarter on Kody Adams' 35-yard field to make it 24-20. But the Punahou defense shut down Iolani the rest of the way.

Punahou scored off its opening drive of the game on a 22-yard field goal by Kim.

But Iolani took the lead on its second series of the game with running back Mike Hirokawa scoring on a 6-yard run to cap an eight-play, 61-yard drive to take a 7-3 lead.

Punahou didn't wait long for a TD of its own, scoring on its ensuing possession when Kan scored on a 1-yard sneak early in the second quarter to give Punahou a 10-7 lead.

The Raiders tied the game with 2:42 left in the half on Adams' 30-yard field goal.

Iolani's defense came up with consecutive sacks by Luke Waters and Christopher St. Sure to force Punahou into a punting situation.

Iolani took over with 1:01 left in the half and scored when Kiran Kepo'o hit Travis Nishioka in full stride for a 66-yard TD pass with 43 seconds left in the half to make it 17-10.

Punahou threatened in the closing seconds, but defensive back Leo Shimizu intercepted a Kan pass intended for Miah Ostrowski at the Iolani 1 with two seconds left in the half. Kepo'o kept the ball on first down for a yard to end the half.

PUNAHOU (7-2, 4-2) 3 7 14 0 — 24

IOLANI (6-4, 3-3) 7 10 0 3 — 20

Pun—FG River Kim 22

Iol—Mike Hirokawa 6 run (Kody Adams kick)

Pun—Brett Kan 1 run (Kim kick)

Iol—FG Adams 30

Iol—Travis Nishioka 66 pass from Kiran Kepo'o (Adams kick)

Pun—Zac Yamagishi 24 pass from Kan (Kim kick)

Pun—Ryan Nobriga 2 run (Kim kick)

Iol—FG Adams 35

RUSHING—Punahou: Kan 4-16, Ryan Nobriga 14-60, Kainoa Carlson 16-88, Colin Viloria 4-1, Miah Ostrowski 1-(minus 4), Team 1-(minus 1) .

Iolani: Kepo'o 4-7, Hirokawa 15-89, Team 2-(minus 27).

PASSING—Punahou: Kan 19-28-1—203. Iolani: Kepo'o 17-14-0—245.

RECEIVING—Punahou: Kim 6-74, Ostrowski 7-59, Viloria 1-(minus 2), Chris Unemori 1-5, Zac Yamagishi 1-24, Carlson 2-32, Nobriga 1-11. Iolani: Kekai Kealoha 3-59, Blayne Yama 6-44, Nishioka 7-130, Hirokawa 1-12.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.