Trojans keep going strong
Third-ranked Mililani entered last night's game against Pearl City taking nothing for granted despite the Chargers' meager record.
Sitting atop the Oahu Interscholastic Association West Red standings and boasting the top offense and defense in the circuit, the Trojans knew they would need to stay focused against a Charger squad that had only a preseason victory against Kalaheo in its win column.
Returning to action after a bye week, Mililani went about its business as usual, pummeling host Pearl City 35-7, using an overpowering attack to compile 255 yards of total offense to remain unbeaten.
The Trojans (4-0 OIA Red West, 6-0) rushed for four scores in the first half to go up 28-0 at the intermission, recording 13 first downs while limiting Pearl City (0-5, 1-6) to 20 yards of total offense.
Mililani dominated between the tackles during the opening drive, keeping the ball on the ground on seven of eight plays to cover 70 yards in less than 4 minutes and taking the lead on Kekoa Perbera's 2-yard touchdown run.
The Trojans actually lost ground on their first snap of the night, when Perbera was corralled 3 yards behind the line of scrimmage by Pearl City's Shaun Costa. Maka Kahoano hit Josh Morecco for a 15-yard gain on the next play, setting up six consecutive runs, culminating with Perbera's division-leading sixth touchdown of the season.
Mililani extended its lead to 14-0 by driving 81 yards on its next possession, keyed by Kahoano's 37-yard play-action pass to Jon Santos to give the Trojans first-and-goal on the Pearl City 2-yard line. Junior running back Jordan Apduhan took the handoff from Kahoano on back-to-back plays behind a full-house backfield to push Mililani to pay dirt.
The Kahoano-Santos connection provided the big blow once again in Mililani's next possession, as the pair hooked up on a 39-yard streak down the sideline to put the Trojans at the Pearl City 8-yard line. Fullback Kekoa Osurman hammered it in on the next snap to give his team the 21-0 advantage.
A 50-yard Mililani drive finalized the scoring for the first half, with Perbera slashing into the end zone from 7 yards out with 38 seconds remaining before halftime.
Mililani went ahead 35-0 on another run up the gut by Osurman from 2 yards out, moving the game to a running clock with 3:43 remaining in the third quarter, capping a 75-yard march.
Pearl City's lone score of the night came after an opportunistic Tyson Ligasy jumped on a fumble by Jordan Torres on Mililani's 22-yard line. Three plays later, Timoteo Mauga pounded his way in from 5 yards out to clip the corner pylon and finish the game's scoring.
