Sierra Canyon defense dominates in opening win over Punahou in Hawaii

Sierra Canyon football coach Jon Ellinghouse thinks his team's defense is as good as any he's had, and the Trailblazers opened their season Friday in Hawaii by watching the defense dominate in a 30-7 victory over Punahou.

Junior Madden Riordan, a USC commit, made three interceptions, and sophomore Havon Finney Jr. had another. Sierra Canyon opened a 24-0 halftime lead while forcing five turnovers against a Punahou team that won its opener last week 35-0. Punahou's only score Friday came with two seconds left against Sierra Canyon's backups.

Aiding the secondary was a defensive line featuring sophomore Richard Wesley, who forced a fumble. Another sophomore, Kasi Currie, had a sack. Quarterback Wyatt Becker threw two touchdown passes. The running game relied on Dane Dunn and Dallas Jones. Ashton Zamani kicked field goals of 34 and 37 yards. Backup kicker Julian Katz made a 22-yard field goal.

Ellinghouse has put together the toughest schedule in school history, including three nonleague games against Trinity League teams JSerra, St. John Bosco and Orange Lutheran.

Ellinghouse didn't wear a Hawaiian shirt Friday, but his footwear was flip-flops.

Simi Valley 33, Spanish Springs 13: Brice Hawkins scored three touchdowns in the second half after a 7-7 halftime tie to lead the Pioneers in their season opener in Reno. Zane Tryon added a long touchdown off a screen pass for the Pioneers, last season's Southern Section Division 6 champions. Quarterback Tagg Harrison made a successful senior debut directing the offense. He ran for a touchdown and passed for two TDs.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times .