JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM Mililani's Kekoa Perbera avoided Kamehameha's Drew Ueno and pulled away for a touchdown in the first quarter of last week's game at Aloha Stadium.

Mililani faces tough
test from Seariders

The No. 9 Trojans hope to rebound
from a heartbreaking loss

The last time Waianae played Mililani, it was a night to forget for Searider fans.

Trying to salvage a win in their season finale, Waianae was floored by the visiting Trojans 34-7. That gave Mililani, then ranked third in the Star-Bulletin Top 10, a 6-0 finish in the OIA Red West. It also capped a second-straight unbeaten regular season under James Millwood in divisional play.

Fast-forward to this weekend, and the tide has changed for the proud Seariders. Waianae is 2-0 in nonconference play going into tomorrow's clash with Mililani at the Trojans' stadium. Waianae came through in the clutch last week to upset then-second-ranked Saint Louis 30-20, capturing attention from those who had noted the warning signs weeks ago.

Thanks to a plethora of returning starters, 15 in all, plus a boost in talent from last year's successful junior varsity team, Waianae went from unranked to No. 4 in this week's Top 10.

"Last year, they didn't have the same emotion they're showing right now. They have that confidence," Millwood said. "Even when they've been losing, they had good players, but I think a lot of it is confidence and believing in themselves now."

This time, No. 9 Mililani appears to be the underdog. The Trojans are 1-1 overall, including last week's 26-6 loss to defending state champion Kamehameha at Aloha Stadium.

Mentally, Mililani may have an edge. Tomorrow's game will be televised -- nothing new for the powerhouse Trojans, and the game will be on their field. Also, the Trojans have won the last three meetings with the Seariders.

Mililani has three quality running backs from last year's state-tournament team, but changes at quarterback, wide receiver and on the offensive line will require time and patience.

"We're not where we need to be. We went up against a real good Kamehameha defense last week, and that's going to help us. We might not see as good a defense this year," Millwood noted.

Waianae's defense could turn out as good as any other. George Kawalu, who blocked a punt against Saint Louis, was impressive in his linebacking duties. Bruce Cadirao came up with a clutch interception to derail a potential go-ahead drive late in the game.

If the game is as low-scoring as expected, special teams could make the difference. Mililani senior Darren Smith, a soccer standout who starts at wide receiver, has ample range on his field-goal kicking.

In other OIA Red West games, Kapolei visits rival Nanakuli and Leilehua meets Pearl City. In White Conference play, Radford travels to Waipahu, while Kaiser and Kalaheo battle at Kailua High School stadium.

Another "crossover" doubleheader is slated at Aloha Stadium. Tomorrow, Iolani of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu faces its mirror image, Castle. Both teams use run-and-shoot offenses with a no-huddle. Both squads also rely on finesse, speed and technique since they're normally outsized by opponents.

Iolani, a favorite to win Division II in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu, is ranked third in the Star-Bulletin Top 10. Both teams are more than willing to throw the ball.

In the second game at Aloha Stadium, Farrington faces Saint Louis. Farrington (0-1) is coming along gradually, but slowly because of a high number of academic casualties. Saint Louis (0-1) dropped to No. 8 in the poll.

The crossover games don't begin and end at Aloha Stadium. On Saturday, high-powered, No. 5-ranked Punahou (2-0) visits Kailua (0-2), while Kaimuki (1-1) takes on Damien (1-1) at Kaiser. Punahou's ace at quarterback, Brett Kan, passed for 260 yards last week in a win over Kapolei.

McKinley (1-1) challenges Pac-Five (1-0) at Roosevelt. Pac-Five's Bryson Beirne drew lots of attention from college coaches at the Pacific Islands Athletic Alliance combine in May. He threw for 292 yards against Pearl City last week. His main target, Daniel Ho-Ching, caught 10 passes for a whopping 209 yards.

The only league game on Saturday will be at Waialua (0-1), which will host Campbell (1-1, 0-1 OIA White).