GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Carlo Raneses and the Mililani Trojans take on Kailua in an OIA Red Conference semifinal game tomorrow night.
Running games spur
Surfriders, Trojans
in OIA playoffs
Look for the clock to wind down fast tomorrow night when Kailua and Mililani meet at Aloha Stadium.
Both teams love to run the ball and that means fewer time stoppages.
Kickoff for the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red Conference (Division I) football semifinal is 7:30 p.m.
In the other semifinal at 5 p.m., Kahuku takes on a challenge from Farrington.
"I think all four teams are very good," Mililani coach James Millwood said. "No doubt, Kailua is one of the best teams in the OIA and we've played them tough the past five or six years. But this year, we've got to finish."
Last year, the Trojans (9-0) trailed by three at halftime of a league quarterfinal, but the Surfriders (7-1-1) scored 21 fourth-quarter points to win 41-17.
"We're not going to change anything we're doing," Mililani coach James Millwood said. "Our defense is small, quick and aggressive and have made a lot of turnovers this year."
Three turnovers made a huge difference in the Trojans' 13-12 overtime win over McKinley in the quarterfinals last week.
"This year's team has overcome all obstacles that have come our way," Millwood added.
Running backs Jordan Apduhan and brothers Carlo and Peter Raneses carry the offensive load for Mililani, while Mikhail Mabry and Jake Ingram lead the defense.
Kailua gave Kahuku a scare two weeks ago, trailing 12-9 before allowing two late TDs in a 26-9 regular-season loss.
The Surfriders routed Nanakuli last week in the quarterfinals, but coach Darren Johnson is still guarding against a late letdown.
"We didn't play in the final three minutes against Kahuku," Johnson said. "And we've been still making young mistakes that hopefully we've corrected. But we're a young team and a team that has been sticking together pretty good. We like being in the underdog role."
Running back Damien Torres has played superbly in place of injured Kekoa Su'a, and Derek Mailau and Mike Kealoha have been keys to the Surfriders' defensive success.
"Mililani is a well-balanced team," Johnson said. "They run well on defense and have 11 solid guys. On offense, they have good technique and have quick running backs that know how to get into the end zone."
Both teams, along with Kahuku and Farrington, have already qualified for the Division I state tournament, which starts Nov. 21. The conference final and third-place game are next week at Aloha Stadium.
Red Raiders, Govs in rematch: Kahuku (9-0) is aiming at ending the season as the state's top team as it did in 2000 and '01.
Even though, the Red Raiders beat Farrington 40-7 on Sept. 26, they can't take the Governors (5-3-1) lightly. In the league quarterfinals a year ago, the Govs knocked Kahuku out of OIA and state contention 21-20.
Last week, Farrington's Matt Bell had over 200 combined rushing and receiving yards in a 21-7 quarterfinal victory over Pearl City. He's one of the Govs' keys to victory along with quarterback Eti Atonio.
The Red Raiders have a ton of weapons, including linebacker Walker Vave and lineman Shosei Yamauchi on defense as well as quarterback Waika Carvalho, running backs Dustin Huddy, Hyrum Moors and Paea Vaimoui and wide receiver Spencer Hafoka on offense.
