No. 2 Mules waste no time beating Pearl City

The high hopes dissolved pretty quickly.

The Mules stopped the Chargers' modest first march and immediately went into overdrive. They quickly took a 20-0 first-quarter lead and never looked back in a 33-12 victory.

"We executed early on," said Leilehua coach Nolan Tokuda, whose team improved to 5-0, 3-0 in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red West. "But Pearl City was relentless. Take away that first quarter and you're looking at a whole different ballgame."

Highly touted Mules quarterback Andrew Manley eventually had his say in Pearl City's demise, but it was Rico Newman who drew first blood for the Mules. Newman's 62-yard flea-flicker touchdown to Cheves Aberilla Ramento gave Leilehua a 6-0 lead early in the first quarter.

The Mules struck again after Maika Kunioka's low line-drive kick hit off the leg of a Chargers up lineman and Leilehua's Kaipo Kea sped in to recover the bouncing ball. Manley's 28-yard completion to Aberilla Ramento set up a 4-yard TD run by Newman, who barely snuck inside the right sideline flag after stringing out the Pearl City defenders.

"They're a good team," said Pearl City receiver Skye Kaapuni, who caught 11 passes for 112 yards. "They're a top team in the state. We're the smallest team in the Red, but we gotta stick together. It's all about pride."

Pearl City's next mistake led to Leilehua's third touchdown. Punter Anthony Green couldn't hold on to a low snap and was tackled by Kalua Ellis for a 15-yard loss, allowing the Mules to take over at the Chargers 10. Three plays later, Manley's 1-yard quarterback sneak TD gave Leilehua a 20-0 lead with 1:41 left in the first quarter.

The Chargers finally got their offense in gear in the second half. Pearl City quarterback Colby Young finished 22-for-40 for 272 yards. And while he threw for more yards than Manley (20-for-26 for 203 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions), he had two picks by Hoku Kama and Mike Dahlum that hurt the Chargers' comeback bid.

Still, the Chargers didn't give up, driving for a score as time expired as Young connected with Derek Abalos for a 31-yard touchdown.

"I feel for those Pearl City seniors," Tokuda said. "It's tough for them. We had to make sure we kept Young in the pocket. He's a great athlete and a great leader."

Aberilla Ramento finished with seven receptions for 158 yards and two touchdowns, including a 7-yard scoring catch from Manley early in the fourth quarter.