We’re set for kickoff at John Kauinana Stadium for the final OIA Red quarterfinal game. Mililani beat the Mules, 44-14, just three weeks ago here. Can Leilehua not only make it a game, but pull off the upset?
6:18 p.m.: Four different Trojans record a rush of at least 10 yards on Mililani’s opening drive. Vavae Malepeai fumbles at the 1 but Jacob Afele falls on top of it and Mililani takes a 7-0 lead, 7:26 Q1.
6:20 p.m.: Justin Jenks gets the start at quarterback for Leilehua. Mililani is playing without linebacker Dayton Furuta.
6:24 p.m.: Jenks’ first pass is badly underthrown and almost intercepted. Mules go three-and-out.
6:29 p.m. McKenzie Milton scrambles for 18 on third-and-13 and then Vavae Malepeai busts through the middle, breaks outside, makes an outstanding move, and goes 35 yards for a touchdown to make it 14-0 Trojans, 5:08 Q1.
6:41 p.m.: First quarter ends with Leilehua possessing the ball at midfield. Hard to believe in a game between these two schools, but not a single pass was completed in the first quarter. Mililani with 132 rush yards, Leilehua with 61.
6:45 p.m.: Kelii Padello with his first sack. Still no completions for either team. Mules forced to punt.
6:51 p.m.: We have our first completion of the night — to the other team. Jaren Zadio intercepts Jenks but Milton fumbles it right back. Two personal fouls on Mililani and the Mules take over on the Trojans’ 11.
7:04 p.m.: Brutal sequence for the Mules. Randy Neverson scores from 2 yards out on an option pitch but the referees ruled the play dead because of an inadvertent whistle. Padello then stops Piceno on fourth-and-goal at the 1 as the Mules come away empty. Tough, tough break for Leilehua. Neverson was also banged up on the play. Looked like he may have injured his wrist.
7:08 p.m.: Leilehua gets two points as Milton runs out of the end zone. TV replays show he got the pass off before stepping out of bounds, but it would have been a pick-six as Leilehua intercepted the pass.
7:12 p.m.: Rex Manu sacks Jenks and the Mules go three-and-out. Mililani ball on its own 12 with 1:56 left in the half.
7:15 p.m.: Malepeai over 100 with a 26-yard run. After a Leilehua personal foul, Robert Faleafine completes the first pass of the game, a 45-yarder to McKenzie Milton, who split out wide. Great catch as ball was bobbled in the air a couple of times by two defenders.
7:17 p.m.: Malepeai with his second TD of the game. 5-yard run makes it 21-2 Trojans. Sixth 100-yard game for Malepeai this season.
7:21 p.m.: Padello with his second sack of the game. This is the third time I’ve seen Padello play here this season. He had four sacks against Punahou, two in the first matchup against Leilehua and two more in this first half.
Halftime box score
Mililani 21, Leilehua 2
At John Kauinana Stadium
Leilehua (6-3) 0 2
Mililani (7-1) 14 7
Mil—Jacob Afele fumble recovery in end zone (Marc Matas kick)
Mil—Vavae Malepeai 35 run (Matas kick)
Lei—Safety, Mckenzie Milton steps out of end zone
Mil—Malepeai 5 run (Matas kick)
RUSHING—Leilehua: Neverson 9-64, Ikaika Piceno 10-29, Justin Jenks 5-(minus 19). Mililani: Malepeai 15-112, Milton 6-40, Bronsen Ader 1-13, Kainoa Wilson 1-10.
PASSING—Leilehua: Jenks 1-5-1-2. Mililani: Robert Faleafine 1-2-0-42, Milton 1-5-0-12.
RECEIVING—Leilehua: Austinn Nagao 1-2. Mililani: Milton 1-42, Bronson Ramos 1-12.
7:43 p.m.: Second half is underway.
7:49 p.m.: Leilehua isn’t dead yet. Milton and Malepeai get confused on an option play and Milton fumbles. Sione Haunga picks up the loose ball and races 64 yards for a defensive touchdown. Mules cut the lead to 21-9, 9:12 Q3.
7:56 p.m.: Any suggestions on a play designed for third-and-40?
7:57 p.m.: Make that third-and-45.
8:09 p.m.: Mules force a fumble and take over at the Mililani 32. Mack Eberhardt in for Jenks at QB. Completes 8-yard pass to Ikaika Piceno but overthrows receiver in end zone on fourth down. Trojans get ball back.
8:20 p.m.: Costly fumble by Neverson at midfield. This has been an UGLY second half. Mililani ball at midfield. 9 minutes left.
8:33 p.m.: A truly awful second half marred by penalties and turnovers. Mules just tried two double-pass plays and wound up with negative-5 yards to show for it. Mules have third-and-20 on the Mililani 35 with 3:33 remaining.
8:36 p.m.: Rex Manu and Kaimana Wilson with back-to-back sacks and that should about wrap things up. Mililani ball with 2:13 left.
8:46 p.m.: Kaimana Wilson intercepts Jenks and that will do it.
Inadverdant whistle? Should have been a touchdown! And then call a safety instead of pick six? Should be tied 14-14. Really unfortunate for the officiating to have such a negative impact on the game!
hello Wahiawa and leilehua fans/supporters,,,,im a 85′ leilehua grad and proud alum. I watched the leilehua-mililani game (21-9). honestly that 2pt safety should’ve not happened. both touchdowns taken away(2yd run and a pick 6) was the refs deciding the outcome of the game and not the players which is WRONG, the 2yd run should’ve counted cos his forward progress was not stopped and the pick 6 was good cos their qb was clearly still in the endzone….thanks a lot refs, good job for Mililani. I speak for Wahiawa and leilehua wen I say Mililani don’t deserve that win or deserve to be in the title game for that matter. keep ur heads up guys and coaches,,,come back next season even stronger.
let the players play, coaches coach and refs ref,,,,,but clearly the refs didn’t let the players play….soo sad