MILILANI — Led by a stout defensive effort, No. 5 Mililani rallied then held off No. 3 Punahou, 16-9, in an interleague game at John Kauinana Stadium last night.

The Trojans scored the game's final nine points to improve to 3-0 on the season. The Buffanblu dropped its second straight game to fall to 0-2.

It was the second consecutive week Mililani was able to upset a higher-ranked opponent. Last week, the Trojans took a 21-3 lead on rival Leilehua, before holding on to win 21-18.

"These kids are really starting to understand that it's the little things that sometimes matter the most and how it all intertwines," Mililani head coach Darnell Arceneaux said. "I'm really proud of their effort and very excited about how we're playing right now."

Punahou took a 9-7 lead — its second of the game — on a 36-yard Kaimi Fairdan field goal late in the third quarter.

Facing third-and-10 on the ensuing drive, Trojans' quarterback Trent McKinney was able to find Kama Paulo for a 31-yard gain. Two plays later, McKinney scrambled away from defenders, but was dragged down by the facemask, giving Mililani another first down.

A wide receiver screen to Taz Stevenson went for no gain on third-and-five and the Trojans went for it on fourth down.

On the play, McKinney rolled to his left and floated a pass over the middle to a streaking Stevenson, who walked in for a 30-yard touchdown.

"I ran to the left to get out of the pocket and when I saw Taz open, I knew that I just had to throw it up for him and he'd come down with it," said McKinney, who finished with 58 rushing yards and a score and another 76 through the air.

On Punahou's next drive, Trojans' defensive end Kawika Barabin sacked Kaiana Eldredge for a safety to put his team ahead 16-9.

With the Buffanblu facing fourth-and-six, Eldredge found Jeffrey Pedrina, but Mililani's Keoni Chun tackled him short of the first down and the Trojans regained possession and ran out the clock.

"Our defense has been playing well all year," Arceneaux said. "We had guys hurt tonight and other guys were able to step in and do the job and I think that's a credit to my assistant coaches."

The Buffanblu forced a three-and-out by the Trojans on their opening possession of the game and Eldredge connected with No. 9 for a 35-yard pass, that set-up a three-yard Stabren Caires touchdown run following two encroachment penalties on the Trojans.

After receiving the handoff from Eldredge, Caires shed a pair of Trojan defenders in the backfield, before turning the right corner to put Punahou on the board. The extra point was failed and the Buffanblu led 6-0.

Mililani appeared to have an answer on its very next offensive play — an 80-yard touchdown run by Taz Stevenson — but a holding penalty negated the score. The drive ended with a missed 33-yard field goal.

Later in the second quarter, a long snap sailed over the head of Eldredge on an attempted punt, and he was forced to fall on the loose ball. Mililani opened its drive from the Buffanblu 33-yard line.

An encroachment penalty on third-and-three extended the Trojan drive and McKinney punched in a one-yard quarterback sneak three plays later. Reid Watanabe's kick put Mililani ahead 7-6 with 2:52 left in the first half.

PUNAHOU (0-2) 6 0 3 0— 9

MILILANI (3-0, 1-0) 0 7 0 9—16

Pun — Stabren Caires 3 run (kick failed).

Mili — Trent McKinney 1 run (Reid Watanabe kick).

Pun — FG Kaimi Fairdain 36.

Mili — Taz Stevenson 30 pass from McKinney (Watanabe kick).

Mili — Safety, Kawika Barabin tackled Kaiana Eldredge in end zone.

RUSHING — Punahou: Caires 9-27, Eldredge 7-23, Liloa Travis 5-0, team 1-(minus 15). Mililani: Stevenson 13-87, McKinney 12-58, Ethan Cook 7-41, Reid Watanabe 1-3, Taylor Searle 2-16, Nainoa Pihana 2-(minus 16), team 2-(minus 11).

PASSING — Punahou: Eldredge 8-23-0—110, Travis 3-3-0—51. Mililani: McKinney 5-15-0—76, Pihana 2-3-1—1.

RECEIVING — Punahou: Mountan Mitchell 3-59, Dean Matsuo 2-9, Steven Lakalaka 1-14, Forest Kim 1-11, Malik Johnson 1-8, Jeffrey Pedrina 3-60. Mililani: Bryson Calma 1-2, Seth Iereneo-Baring 1-0, Kama Paulo 1-31, Stevenson 2-30, Hassan Richardson 1-14.

JV score — Mililani 21, Punahou 14.