Milton, Mililani make mockery of state football records

McKenzie Milton’s record-breaking night gave Mililani its first state football title.

The junior quarterback threw for 421 yards and seven touchdowns as Mililani beat Punahou 53-45 in Friday’s First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Division I football championship game at Aloha Stadium. Milton surpassed his previous career high of 369 yards and the school’s record of 408, set by Jarin Morikawa, in the highest-scoring championship game.

"We just wanted to come out and play Mililani Trojan football and we did," Milton said. "I’m so grateful for these guys."

Milton is just the seventh player to throw for 3,000 yards in a season, racking up 3,339 to finish fifth on the list. He surpassed 3,000 yards with a 158-yard first quarter. Milton completed six of 10 passes for three touchdowns in the first to help the Trojans lead 26-7.

Milton’s sixth touchdown of the game put the Trojans ahead 46-28 with a minute left in the second quarter. His 17-yard throw to Kainoa Wilson capped an 11-play, 80-yard drive for the Trojans. By then, he’d already racked up 303 yards.

"It’s for our community," said Milton, who completed 29 of 47 passes. "It’s an awesome feeling."

It was one of several prolific performances in a title game where both teams combined for 1,214 yards.

Punahou’s Kanawai Noa became the state’s career receiving leader after totaling 61 yards to finish with 3,510 yards. 

Noa entered the game with 3,449 yards and needed 41 yards to break Gerald Welch’s state record of 3,490. Noa achieved his feat in 28 games with 172 receptions and 36 touchdowns.

Noa’s 28-yard catch from Ephraim Tuliloa enabled him to break Welch’s record late in the fourth quarter. Noa had 18 yards and a touchdown at halftime. Mililani’s defense then stopped Punahou to secure the state title.

"Our defense stepped up and just made plays," Milton said. "Punahou is a great team. They’re resilient."

Wayne Taulapapa rushed 36 times for 260 yards for Punahou, keeping the Buffanblu within striking distance the entire game.

Mil–Kalakaua Timoteo 13 pass from McKenzie Milton (Marc Matas kick)

Pun–Kala’i Santos 48 pass from Ephraim Tuliloa (Jet Toner kick)

Mil–Kainoa Wilson 57 pass from Milton (kick blocked)

Mil–Ty Purcell-Apana 83 interception return (Matas kick)

Mil–Timoteo 13 pass from Milton (kick failed)

Pun–Tuliloa 4 run (Toner kick)

Mil–Timoteo 27 pass from Milton (Matas kick)

Pun–Kanawai Noa 6 pass from Ephraim Tuliloa (Toner kick)

Mil–Makana Tauai 36 pass from Milton (run failed)

Pun–Wayne Taulapapa 20 run (Toner kick)

Mil–Wilson 17 pass from Milton (Matas kick)

Pun–FG Toner 53

Pun–Taulapapa 1 run (Toner kick)

MIl–Timoteo 10 pass from Milton (Matas kick)

Pun–Taulapapa 5 run (Toner kick)

RUSHING–Mililani: Malepeai 13-89, Cheyne Constantino 9-41, Milton 13-38, team 2-(minus 5). Punahou: Taulapapa 36-260, Tuliloa 10-65, Noa 2-20.

PASSING–Mililani: Milton 29-47-1-421. Punahou: Tuliloa 17-33-1-285.

RECEIVING–Mililani: Bryson Ventura 8-77, Timoteo 7-117, Wilson 4-98, Bronson Ramos 4-50, Tauai 2-41, Malepeai 2-26, Joshua Butac 2-12. Punahou: Heisman Hosoda 6-82, Noa 5-61, MIcah Ma’a 3-34, Santos 2-95, Matthew Christman 1-13.