Rod York wanted fewer of this, fewer of that.
Fewer penalties.
Fewer turnovers.
More ground production.
He got all of those and more in No. 3 Mililani’s 48-14 rout of No. 5 Campbell on Saturday night.
>> After 169 yards on 16 penalties in a loss to Kahuku last week, the Trojans were flagged 11 times for 100 yards against the Sabers. Only four were of the 15-yard variety. Two of the flags were ruled illegal procedure for kickoffs that went out of bounds.
>> After throwing three interceptions against Kahuku’s elite defense, Mililani quarterback Emana Tarape had 23 pass attempts without a pick on Saturday.
>> Against Kahuku, Mililani had 17 rushes for 72 yards. Against Mililani: 39 carries for 178 yards.
Nehemiah Timoteo (14 carries, 71 yards, TD) led a deep group at running back. Makanale‘a Meyer, Tavian Hallums, Tykea Johnson Jr. and Jaylan Johnson contributed to a ground attack that entered the game averaging less than 18 carries per game.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way for Mililani (4-1), which all but sealed second place in OIA Open Division. That means the Trojans will have home field for at least the semifinal round of the playoffs.
The bonus, monster statistics were on defense, where a voracious pass rush caused six intersections thrown by Campbell quarterback Chayne Kuboyama-Hayashi. He was sacked four times as Mililani’s defense seemed to envelop Kuboyama-Hayashi on a majority of passing calls. Two of the picks were by Aiden Manutai, who returned on to the house. Tye Barbour also came up with a pick-six during the second quarter.
“They ran a hook on the inside and I worked my way through,” Barbour said. “I don’t think I had a (pick-six) in high school yet. My first one.”
Defensive lineman Semeri Ulufale Jr. was a big part of that front seven. He recorded one of the four sacks, playing after being ejected in the Kahuku game. He was cleared to play this weekend when it was ruled that Ulufale never threw a punch during a bit of extracurricular activity between players.
“It wasn’t even a punch. I got to play (today) because I never punched anyone,” Ulufale said. “It’s all good.”
Gaining home-field advantage matters to the Trojans, who have drawn some of the biggest crowds in the OIA.
“It feels good. All glory to God. We’ll enjoy this dub,” said wide receiver Gavin Hunter, who hauled in a 12-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter.
“We’ll come back next week Monday and put in that work,” Ulufale added.
Campbell’s coverage was daring, to say the least. After allowing just 16 points in four games, the Sabers’ cornerbacks had solo coverage on a number of Mililani snaps.
“Throughout the week, we already knew they were going to come out in man so our coach, he did a good job of preparing us for tonight,” Hunter said. “Our defensive practice, giving us looks and we were ready.”
Emana Tarape has shown tremendous potential and touch on short, intermediate and deep passes. As his field vision improves, the fleet of Mililani receivers will get busier. The speed and intensity of the Trojan pass rush is a daily test at practice for Tarape, who began the season as a backup QB.
“The timing is good. It just comes with all the work we’re putting in. All glory to God, our coaches do a good job of preparing us,” Hunter said. “We just get the chemistry down day after day, just putting in the work.”
At Campbell
Mililani (4-1, 4-1) 14 14 20 0 — 48
Campbell (4-1, 4-1) 0 0 7 7 — 14
MIL—Gavin Hunter 12 pass from Emana Tarape (Makel Paiva kick)
MIL—Makanale‘a Meyer 5 run (Paiva kick)
MIL—Aiden Manutai 38 interception return (Paiva kick)
MIL—Tye Barbour 35 interception return (Paiva kick)
MIL—Nehemiah Timoteo 1 run (Paiva kick)
CAM—Kama Espinda 65 pass from Chayne Kuboyama-Hayashi (Sehutha Makamaile kick)
MIL—Jase Ellamar 10 pass from Tarape (Paiva kick)
MIL—Tykea Johnson Jr. 3 run (kick failed)
CAM—Kama Espinda 81 pass from Chayne Kuboyama-Hayashi (Sehutha Makamaile kick)
Individual statistics
RUSHING—Mil: Nehemiah Timoteo 14-71, Makamale‘a Meyer 3-15, Tavian Hallums 7-34, Tarape 3-(-1), Tykea Johnson Jr. 5-28, Jaylan Johnson 6-25, Kanoa Ferreira 1-6. Cam: Chauncee Lopez 9-18, Chayne Kuboyama-Hayashi 8-(-28), Rowen-Ray Bucao 3-(-4).
PASSING—Mil: Tarape 12-23-0-208. Cam: Chayne Kuboyama-Hayashi 18-31-6-242.
RECEIVING—Mil: Gavin Hunter 2-47, Lando Werner-Celes 1-20, John Herold-Namu 1-10, Timoteo 1-5, Isaiah Padello 2-44, Jensyn Mcgee 2-49, Paiva 2-23, Jase Ellamar 1-10. Cam: Bucao 1-4, Jourdain Berinobis-,Pyne 3-18, Kamaehu Kopa-Kaawalauole 3-19, Jonah Tofagau-Tavui 3-9, Jonah Tavui 2-12, Espinda 6-180.
STL better not look past Mililani. I know Lulu is thinking it’s them and Kahuku, but these Trojans are NOT a cakewalk. They too will give Kahuku a better game come rematch time.
I think the rematch is going to be epic!!!!is should bemililani and kahuku in the championship both teams would clean saint louis .
How much of those names in BOLD actually live in Millilani?
#MercenaryVille
How bout dem Seariders!!!!
The only thing I’m worried about is keeping the Boyz grounded being humble and focused should be able here only concern we all know who the player are they separated themselves well before the season started it all about execution all 3 teams have a legitimate chance win lose all we want as fans is a level playing field decent refs than we get to enjoy same awesome games
They looked really good! That defense was flying around. Manutai a freshman! You welcome Mililani lol. Gonna be an exciting playoffs!
Mililani should be winning every year with all that recruits…… Hats off to Kahuku doing it the right way!!