KAPOLEI — For homecoming, there's no place like home.

The Kapolei High School football team proved it last night with a resounding 33-7 victory over Leilehua before an energized capacity crowd of about 3,000. It was the first campus homecoming game for the Hurricanes, who used Pearl City's Bino Neves Stadium as its home field in its previous three seasons.

"It feels great to have a homecoming game on our own field," said quarterback Brad Padayao, who threw for 170 yards and rushed for 77 more to lead Kapolei. "We've got the greatest fans — they always come out to support us. You cannot ask for anything better."

The Hurricanes fans couldn't ask for more, either, as their team improved to 4-1 overall and 3-0 in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association's Red Conference Western Division. Leilehua, ranked No. 9 in The Advertiser's statewide Top 10 poll of coaches and media, fell to 2-2 and 1-1.

Kapolei, ranked No. 10, took the opening kickoff and marched 60 yards in 11 plays, culminating in Radford Raquedan's 1-yard touchdown plunge.

The Hurricanes made it 14-0 early in the second quarter after Padayao's 27-yard TD pass to Jon Santiago.

That's how it stood at the half, as Kapolei out-gained the Mules 255 yards to 73.

Leilehua struggled without two team captains — quarterback Bryant Moniz and linebacker Guyes Galdeira — who did not suit up because of injuries.

"They're the heart and soul of that team, so when you are missing two players like that it's gonna hurt," Hurricanes coach Darren Hernandez said. "But even without them, we knew Leilehua is no pushover and would come out fighting. Despite their injuries, we did not change our game plan at all because we knew they are still a quality team."

Kapolei stretched the lead to 21-0 midway through the third quarter after Raquedan's 8-yard touchdown run, then took a 27-0 lead early in the fourth on a 2-yard TD sneak by Padayao. Keoki Lapina's 40-yard interception return to the house sealed it.

Moniz (shoulder) and Galdeira (knee) were injured last week against Kamehameha and expected to miss four to six weeks.

LEILEHUA (2-2, 1-1) 0 0 0 7— 7

KAPOLEI (4-1, 3-0) 7 7 7 12—33

Kap—Radford Raquedan 1 run (Ama Gaea kick)

Kap—Jon Santiago 27 pass from Brad Padayao (Gaea kick)

Kap—Raquedan 8 run (Gaea kick)

Kap—Padayao 2 run (kick failed)

Kap—Keoki Lapina 40 interception return (kick failed)

Lei—Aric Edra 2 run (Daniel Phelps kick)

RUSHING — Leilehua: Edra 7-20; Joe Iosefa 3-6; Tianeva Tyrell Edra 2-5, Guy Cantrell 4-1, Paul Hernandez 2-17. Kapolei: Padayao 12-77, Raquedan 16-111, Tony Talo 3-5, Lokahi Olayan 2-5, Joshua Alison 2-0, Alex Leiato 2-13.

PASSING—Leilehua: Iosefa 4-14-1—56, Cantrell 6-15-4—83. Kapolei: Padayao 13-24-2—170.

RECEIVING—Leilehua: Martin Iosefo 4-73, Guy Cantrell 1-10, Christian Mendez 4-54, Edra 1-2. Kapolei: Raquedan 2-10, Aaron Santiago 3-46, Jon Santiago 5-78, Caleb Spencer 1-15, Tommy Ross 1-11, Josh Cordero 1-10.

JV—Leilehua 21, Kapolei 15

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.