Mililani started the year with such high hopes. Then, things began to unravel a little bit.
The season came to an abupt end for the fourth-ranked Trojans Friday night in a disappointing 35-0 loss to No. 1 and still undefeated Saint Louis (11-0) in the Open Division semifinals of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Football State Championships.
From the outside looking in as the season wore on, it appeared that something went seriously wrong with the Mililani offense. What was a well-oiled, high flying machine hit the skids in the points department — and hard.
On Friday night, the Mililani defense stepped up and allowed the supercharged Crusaders just two touchdowns in the first half. But the end result was pretty much a forgone conclusion. Saint Louis and its able defense also put points on the board for a 21-0 halftime lead that became 35-0 at the end of three quarters.
The running clock took over to speed up the inevitable Crusaders’ win, but the Trojans’ team spirit and attitude didn’t fall apart. They were respectful in defeat and not super down. The band still played uplifting music after the whistle while the team gathered for one last huddle, heads held up high.
“I’m super thankful to play with these boys (and) I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Trojans senior linebacker Muelu Iosefa said. “I’m thankful for these coaches. I love them. I love my boys to death. I felt we did our job and our attitude was great at the end. Saint Louis is a great team.”
Added sophomore offensive lineman Mikey Agasiva: “Shoot, it was a tough one, taking this loss. But there’s nothing we can do. We can only get better from here. Practice hard and get the offseason work in. Today, we did our thing, but didn’t come out with the outcome we wanted.”
Coach Rod York blamed himself for the defeat.
“I’m proud of my seniors, proud of my guys because they always stuck together,” he said. “Saint Louis is a tough team. You make one mistake, they make you pay. I’m proud of my team. It’s (the loss) all on me.”
Mililani’s point totals in its 13 games went like this:
>> Aug. 8 vs. Campbell — 30 (W, 30-26)
>> Aug. 16 vs. Kahuku — 32 (W, 32-0)
>> Aug. 24 at Farrington — 35 (W, 35-0)
>> Aug. 30 vs. Liberty — 24 (W, 34-22)
>> Sept. 7 at Waianae — 50 (W, 50-6)
>> Sept. 14 vs. Kamehameha at Aloha Stadium — 34 (W, 34-0)
>> Sept. 21 vs. St. John Bosco — 10, (L, 42-10)
>> Sept. 27 vs. Saint Louis at Aloha Stadium — 21 (L, 54-21)
>> Oct. 5 vs. Kapolei — 21 (W, 21-0)
>> Oct. 11 vs. Punahou at Aloha Stadium — 0 (L, 3-0)
>> Oct. 18 vs. Farrington — 34 (W, 34-7)
>> Oct. 26 vs. Kahuku at Aloha Stadium — 3 (L, 3-7)
>> Nov. 22 vs. Saint Louis at Aloha Stadium — 3 (L, 0-35)
Three of their last four losses came without a touchdown. That is very un-Mililani like, even against tough teams.
“A lot of it had to do with confidence,” York said. “But it’s all on me. We lost by three to Punahou and they were ranked No. 7 or higher in the nation and we almost beat them. We lost to Kahuku 7-3 because of a kickoff return.”
Agasiva, who has two more seasons of high school ball to go, said, “I think it was that not all of us were clicking together as one, using one brain. We will learn from that, most definitely. To me, most of (the struggle to score points) was mental errors. Nothing much. Every team has that.”
Yes York its all you. You didn’t make the changes that everyone saw in the past games. Still played your favorites (QB & Receiver) , that continued to make obvious mistakes (3 interceptions in the 1st half & many dropped balls) Your boys that brought you to the top the past few years was just watching on the sidelines hungry to our play, while you played your favorites & recruits. Yes York its all you. So sad for these seniors.
Any coach with Common Sense would not let a punter punt with a HUGE cast on his punting drop hand, let alone a lineman with no mobility? 2 HUGE turnovers!!!
York made no adjustments whatsoever. Had 3 weeks to prep. The talent edge to St L, but the coaching is not even close between the two. The kids deserve to be in a better position to at least compete. QB changes required. The Moanalua QB that transferred is good. How do you let him go?
Maybe all the critics can do better. By all means please STEP UP TO THE PLATE. Come volunteer all your time for free not only during the season but the summer and during off season and doing all the extra stuff like watching film, sending your players info, making calls to all the d1, D2 d3 colleges and JC & dedicate hours and hours and hours of YOUR TIME if you think you can do better. Him, Sterling, heck even Cal and Hernandez THEY DO THIS PRACTICALLY FOR FREE. AND they spend a lot of THEIR OWN money for their team too. For men who give their time and money y’all should be more grateful. Like I said. You can do better? LETS SEE IT. When they win it’s a problem when they lose its a problem. Maybe your complaining Is the problem what you think? Btw his fave QB/WR is from Mililani lol and have been there this whole time. St Louis is another level. In league with St Boscoe. Sad but reality and I’m proud of Mililani for going in and finishing their season strong. No bother responding. Not going back and forth. Shared my thoughts won’t read anymore crybabies on this feed LOL. Done son.
Kawika. Let’s keep it real. Cal Lee does not volunteer or uses his $$$ to keep the Crusader machine rolling. Cmon Man.
You have to question some of York’s decisions. Having a player with a cast on his hand try to punt a football was going to end badly and sure enough it happened twice. After the first fumble, which led to a STL TD, he should have put someone else in to punt. Sure enough, the next punt was fumbled and resulted in another STL touchdown. That is horrible coaching and you have to question some of the decisions of Coach York…
Delaura was held to under 100 yards passing and I believe the crusaders had little over 200 yards total offense . Mililani offense couldn’t produce giving the crusaders great field positions. Coach York is a great coach but he needs to open his eyes and fire the OC and bring back the offense that blowed up score boards. The offense was just terribly last night and idk if it’s just me but the offense went downhill as the season went on . Just my thoughts . Coach York , fire the OC and get a new QB. You’ll be back again next year.
We are all “Arm Chair Quarterbacks” on this blog. We all say our little piece & move on.
Facts: York is the best thing to happen to Mililani football; without him they would be in DI because all their transfers would not be there.
Cal Lee Has access to any athlete in the state, great facilities, 18-20 assistant coaches, 90 something players to utilize and most of all, “Ron Lee” the main reason for STL success!
@Truth
Rod York IS THE OC COACH
York & the “recruiting” is not secret. The coaches don’t volunteer hey are paid coaches. The real secret is how are all these coaches passing the criminal background checks.
The favoritism is assumed, the bottom line is that they were out coached & out matched on all phases of the game.
York has no respect for his players and coaches. its a one man show there. No adjustments no improvements as the season went on. Its like they went down hill instead of going up. Offensive coaches needs to go, better yet the entire staff. clean house. York is a good coach, but his image of being a leader and the disrespectfulness he has towards the kids, coaches, parents and refs are a low down dirty shame. My opinion.
Maybe they should’ve stuck to the early season coaching tactics. When coach use to switch places with his wife. The first half, second half trade off Head Coach.
Hard to beat a team in a semifinal game that he practically mimics his offense after.
Curious to see how much more kids play for Mililani out of district next season.