Leilehua tops Mililani

In the battle for early season Central Oahu bragging rights, the Mules ruled.

Rico Newman ran for 161 yards and two touchdowns to lead No. 2 Leilehua over Mililani 24-13 in the Red West opener for both teams last night at Hugh Yoshida Stadium.

Newman broke scoring runs of 45 and 93 yards as the reigning OIA and Division I state champions improved to 3-0 (1-0 Red West). The Mules extended a nine-game winning streak that dates back to last year's magical playoff run.

But Leilehua coach Nolan Tokuda said this is a new year.

"We tell (the players) that (the championship) was last year's team, and we have to earn respect again this year," Tokuda said. "We've gotta work hard and do the things we need to be successful."

Mililani, the defending OIA Red West champs, dropped to 0-3 (0-1 Red West).

"We showed spurts, but it's tough with so many new guys," said Mililani coach Darnell Arceneaux. "We got the right kids, they're working hard -- we just got to go back to the drawing board."

Mililani jumped out to a 7-0 lead, scoring on its first series, with Trevor Lee taking a pitch from quarterback Iosua Manuma and punching in a 5-yard run.

Lee's run capped an 11-play, 65-yard drive highlighted by Mililani multipurpose threat Dalaunte "Taz" Stevenson carrying seven times for 21 yards on the drive.

The Mules tied the game when Andrew Manley converted on fourth and 13, escaping a heavy Trojan rush and throwing across his body to hit wideout Edieson Dumlao on a 33-yard scoring strike with 20 seconds left in the first quarter.

Dumlao extended his streak of catching at least one scoring pass in each of the Mules' games this season. He left the game temporarily in the second quarter with a bruised left shoulder after failing to come up with a perfectly thrown pass from Manley. He returned in the second half.

Mililani put heavy pressure on Manley, but the junior showed poise, consistently scrambling or stepping up when the pocket collapsed. He was 15-for-28 for 161 yards with the first-half scoring strike to Dumlao.

Leilehua went to the ground to open the second half, and it paid dividends when Newman scored on a 44-yard run to make it 14-7 4:30 into the third quarter.

The Mules pushed the lead to 17-7 with a 31-yard field goal by Maika Kunioka and Leilehua's stout defense harassed Trojan quarterbacks Manuma and Matt Milton, picked off three passes and held Stevenson in check.

Newman put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter. With the Mules pinned at their own 7-yard line, he emerged from a scrum and outsprinted the Trojans defense down the visitors' sideline to make it 24-7 with 4:36 left in the game.

"(Rico) did a great job, but the credit goes to the O-line and the receivers who never quit on blocking downfield," Tokuda said.

OIA RED WEST

Waipahu 42, Pearl City 12

The Marauders broke open the first half with four unanswered touchdowns en route to a romp of the Chargers.

Troy Matautia led Waipahu with two touchdowns and 179 yards rushing.

Matautia's lone throw of the night resulted in a 22-yard touchdown pass to Jason Buccat.

OIA WHITE

Waialua 7, Anuenue 6

Kainoa Rosa ran for a game-tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter, and then kicked the game-winning extra point as the Bulldogs beat the Rainbow Warriors.

Anuenue's Keliikoa Aki led all rushers with eight carries for 95 yards.