Trojans put hurt
on Hurricanes
In the battle of the 'burbs, Mililani still reigns.
Maka Kahoano threw for two touchdown passes, while Kekoa Perbera and Jordan Torres combined for 198 rushing yards as Mililani outlasted Kapolei 29-12 last night at the Trojans' stadium.
Mililani, ranked No. 3 in the Star-Bulletin Top Ten, improved to 3-0 in Oahu Interscholastic Association Red West play (5-0 overall). Kapolei suffered its first conference loss (1-1, 1-3 overall), but gave the Trojans plenty to be concerned about.
"We knew they had really good team speed. They made us pay a couple of times," Mililani coach James Millwood said.
In all, Mililani amassed 419 yards in total offense.
"Their defense is good and quick. They used different defenses," said Kahoano, who completed just seven of his 21 pass attempts. However, he directed a disciplined, multi-set Mililani offense almost flawlessly.
Kapolei finished with 242 total yards against the toughest defense in the Red West.
"I'm proud of the effort. In the end, Mililani's experience helped them a lot," said Kapolei coach Darren Hernandez, whose team was without two starting linemen. "We still have a shot in the West. The boys have settled in, and by the end of the season, I'm hoping we're a team to be reckoned with."
The Hurricanes, designated as the home team, saw Mililani strike quickly from the start. Kahoano connected with Perbera on a 48-yard touchdown pass to give the Trojans a 7-0 lead with 9 minutes to play in the opening quarter.
Kapolei, using a hybrid of spread option and run-and-shoot, drove to pay dirt on its ensuing possession. Ikaika Tan picked up 41 yards on an option shovel pass to spark the drive.
Brad Padayao, spelling starting quarterback Jon Medeiros at the end of the drive, raced into the end zone on a 17-yard option keeper. The extra-point kick spiraled wide left, but Kapolei was within 7-6 with 4:46 left in the first quarter.
Mililani struck gold early in the second quarter, driving 79 yards in nine plays. Using a balanced I slot attack, the Trojans marched steadily before Perbera scored on a 13-yard run. They led 14-6 with 9:25 remaining in the second quarter.
Kapolei's offense continued to sputter until late in the half, when Medeiros connected with Jimmy Stevens on a 42-yard bomb. That set up an 11-yard touchdown pass from Medeiros to Tan. Kapolei's pass on the 2-point attempt was incomplete, but the Hurricane were within 14-12 with 2:09 left in the half.
"We had to regain our composure and refocus ourselves," said Kahoano, a senior. "The inside (pass routes) were open. I just didn't connect."
