Malepeai helps Mililani romp

Applying the lessons gleaned from its loss a week earlier, Mililani bounced back with impressive performances on both sides of the ball in a commanding 35-0 win over Kapolei to open the OIA season on Friday.

Coming off an interleague loss to second-ranked Punahou, the Trojans took control early in their OIA Red West opener and rolled up 466 yards in total offense, led by running back Vavae Malepeai’s 156 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

The Mililani defense was similarly solid in holding Kapolei to 129 yards in the shutout performance.

"Very proud of the boys and the coaches because we made a lot of adjustments from our previous game and these guys came out and executed," Mililani coach Rod York said. "That’s what we wanted to harp on, not so much what Kapolei does but what we do.

"We were making so many errors (against Punahou), so today was the day to say ‘no excuses, let’s get it done.’ "

Mililani scored on four of its first five possessions, with Malepeai finishing three of those drives with touchdown runs.

"(The offensive line) did wonderful. If anything I was the one who messed up a couple of times. I should have been gone when there were open lanes," Malepeai said. "But credit to the O-line, couldn’t have done it without them."

York was also quick to praise the Trojans’ performance on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Just as the offensive line maintained control up front, Mililani’s defensive line spearheaded a collective effort that held Kapolei to 69 yards on the ground.

"They set the tone," York said of both lines, "and as long as they’re doing that we should be OK."

A hamstring injury sidelined Kapolei running back Tristan Pebria, who led the Hurricanes with 224 rushing yards and four touchdowns in their 2-0 start. But Kapolei head coach Darren Hernandez wouldn’t attribute the loss to the absence.

"No excuses. They were the better team tonight," Hernandez said. "They were clearly the better team, they operated on all cylinders and we didn’t."

Mililani quarterback McKenzie Milton got the start and his playmaking ability contributed to the Trojans’ first score. On third and 9, Milton scrambled to his right, then found Kainoa Wilson running alone downfield and lofted a throw his way for a 46-yard touchdown to open the scoring 1 minute, 12 seconds into the game.

Bronsen Ader’s 44-yard sweep around the left side highlighted the Trojans’ next possession and set up the first of Malepeai’s two

1-yard touchdown runs of the first half.

Malepeai powered Mililani to its fourth touchdown, carrying the ball eight times in a 10-play drive that he punctuated with a 4-yard blast up the middle. He went into the break with 77 yards on 14 carries with three touchdowns.