'AIEA — Keenan Naeole threw for 251 yards on 23 of 32 passing with no interceptions and three touchdowns as host 'Aiea upset No. 6 Wai'anae, 30-20, last night in an O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red West Division game.

'Aiea improved to 4-3 overall, 3-2 in the Red West. Wai'anae fell to 5-2 and 3-2.

"We needed this win," Naeole said. "We started out kind of slow, but our defense picked us up and special teams followed."

The win put 'Aiea back into the playoff picture with one league game left at Leilehua Friday.

"The Red West is really tough. Anybody can beat anybody on any given night," 'Aiea head coach Wendell Say said.

Wai'anae got off to a shaky start, muffing an 'Aiea punt that was recovered by Na Ali'i's Keoki Dias. Naeole found Aldodius Colquitt on the very next play, 'Aiea's first from scrimmage, for a 28-yard touchdown pass.

The Seariders answered back with a quick strike. Ben McQuown, who started at slot back, took the handoff from quarterback RJ Tacgere-Bailey and took it 80 yards for a touchdown. McQuown started in motion, received the handoff, followed the block and cut upfield, going untouched into the end zone. The extra point kick attempt failed.

'Aiea extended its lead to 10-6 with 6:35 left in the first quarter on a 19-yard field goal by Mason Puckett.

'Aiea's Kanekoa Asing recovered a Wai'anae fumble, which led to a 13-yard TD pass from Naeole to Bryan Echalas on the ensuing play. Puckett's extra point made it 17-6 'Aiea at the half.

Wai'anae marched 80 yards to open the second half, scoring on a 1-yard run by BJ Jelf. The Seariders were aided by an 'Aiea special teams mistake when the Wai'anae punt on fourth-and-11 hit an 'Aiea player on the helmet and defensive lineman Troy Faliuga recovered for Wai'anae.

However, mistakes cost the Seariders more than Na Ali'i, and another Wai'anae fumble was recovered by Asing with 2:10 left in the third quarter.

Naeole found Colquitt again for a 6-yard touchdown pass to make it 24-12 'Aiea.

Wai'anae head coach Dan Matsumoto was impressed with Naeole and Na Ali'i offense.

"They threw the ball well, which we expected," he said. "They beat us over the top and that opened up their running game."

The Seariders committed four turnovers, including three fumbles.

Puckett added a 27-yard field goal and a 44-yarder with less than a minute to play.

'Aiea's James Buchanan, who came into the game leading the state in receiving yards, was taken by ambulance to Pali Momi Medical Center with a concussion, Say said.

WAI'ANAE (5-2, 3-2) 6 0 6 8—20

'AIEA (4-3, 3-2) 10 7 7 6—30

'Aiea — Aldodius Colquitt 28 pass from Keenan Naeole (Mason Puckett kick)

Wai — Ben McQuown 80 run (kick failed)

'Aiea — FG Puckett 19

'Aiea — Bryan Echalas 13 pass from Naeole (Puckett kick)

Wai — BJ Jelf 1 run (run failed)

'Aiea — Colquitt 6 pass from Naeole (Puckett kick)

'Aiea — FG Puckett 27

'Aiea — FG Puckett 44

Wai — McQuown 80 run (Danny Kekoanui run)

RUSHING — Wai: McQuown 6-158, Toagamalu Brown 1-6, Harold Viela 5-28, Justin Kauwalu 3-8, RJ Tacgere-Bailey 4-(minus 7), Kekoanui 10-53, Matt Ibanez 1-1, Jelf 5-8. 'Aiea: Daniel Liilii 5-20, Christian Kupau 7-26, Naeole 3-(minus 33), James Buchanan 1-7, Team 2-(minus 3).

PASSING — Wai: Tacgere-Bailey 7-19-1—58. 'Aiea: Naeole 23-32-0—251.

RECEIVING — Wai: Kekoanui 6-49, McQuown 1-9. 'Aiea: Liilii 3-2, Buchanan 3-39, Colquitt 8-112, Echalas 4-55, Ezra Knight 3-21, Jack Oliveros 2-22.

JV score — Wai'anae 25, 'Aiea 13.

Reach Kalani Takase at ktakase@honoluluadvertiser.com.