Mililani stymies Kahuku in semifinal

More photos: Mililani vs. Kahuku

Following a historic win Thursday night, Mililani football coach Rod York was more concerned with the next step than savoring the moment.

"A win is always great, but we’re not done," York said after the Trojans’ 37-22 victory over Kahuku in the semifinals of the OIA Red conference playoffs at Aloha Stadium.

Powered by running back Vavae Malepeai’s 141-yard, three-touchdown performance, Mililani picked up its first win over Kahuku in 11 meetings.

Mililani also earned a berth in the Division I state tournament and returns to the OIA Red championship game — to face Farrington — a year after suffering a lopsided loss to Kahuku in the final.

"Last year we came out kind of slow … so I knew coming this year we had to start fast from the get," Mililani linebacker Jacob Afele said of the 50-13 loss in the previous meeting with the Red Raiders.

The Trojans did just that in rolling to a 17-0 lead, and they didn’t let Kahuku get within 10 the rest of the way.

Afele paced the Trojans defense with 12 tackles, including four for losses, and Kelii Padello finished with three sacks.

The defensive performance complemented the production of Malepeai and sophomore quarterback McKenzie Milton, who threw for 220 yards and two scores. Mililani’s point total was the highest given up by Kahuku against an OIA team since Waianae scored a 43-7 win over the Red Raiders in 1999.

"Who do you stop?" Kahuku coach Reggie Torres asked. "You try to stop the pass, Malepeai runs. You try to stop Malepeai, they throw the ball and the quarterback can run. They just have so many weapons we just didn’t have enough to stop them."

Kahuku had won eight of the past 10 OIA Red titles, including the past two. But the Red Raiders’ hopes of retaining the state crown now hinge on the third-place game on Nov. 2 to determine the OIA’s final state tournament berth.

"It’s a do-or-die game for us, you lose you’re done," Torres said. "Our seniors don’t want to go home, but it’s going to be a battle."

Mililani was awarded its lone OIA Red title in 2010 when Kahuku forfeited the final. The Trojans will try to add to the trophy case next Friday at Aloha Stadium after picking up their eighth straight win.

Malepeai started his march with seven carries on Mililani’s 13-play possession to open the game. The drive stalled at the Kahuku 3 and the Trojans took the lead on Marc Matas’ 20-yard field goal.

The Trojans needed just four plays to add to the lead when Kainoa Wilson got behind the Kahuku secondary and ran down a throw from Milton down the right side for a 60-yard touchdown.

Malepeai reached the end zone for the first time on 14-yard run with 2:26 left in the second quarter and Mililani led 17-7 at halftime.

Mililani’s first possession of the third quarter consisted of five handoffs to Malepeai, ending with a 3-yard touchdown.

"(Mililani’s offensive line) did wonderful, can’t thank them enough," Malepeai said. "God blessed me with a great offensive line and I’m thankful for each and every one of them."

Polikapo Liua Jr. led the Red Raiders with 131 yards. His 2-yard touchdown with 1:39 left in the third quarter cut Mililani’s lead to 24-14.