HENDERSON, Nev. >> Playing just outside a city known for its slot machines, Mililani and host Liberty spent Friday in the Las Vegas valley lighting up the scoreboard like it was a pinball machine.
But in the end, it was the host Patriots who hit the jackpot.
Ethan Dedeaux scored seven touchdowns for Liberty, and the Trojans could never overcome their first halftime deficit of the season, and fell to Liberty 76-53.
Mililani quarterback McKenzie Milton threw five touchdowns for the Trojans (3-1), including four to Kalakaua Timoteo. But Mililani coach Rod York said not being able to stop Liberty’s ground game was the Trojans’ undoing, as the team saw its 21-game winning streak snapped.
"Liberty lined up and pounded us," York said. "We couldn’t tackle their backs. Their line was superb. They outcoached me. Give them all the credit in the world."
After Milton found Timoteo on a 10-yard TD pass that gave the Trojans a 20-12 lead with 4:39 left in the first quarter. Dedeaux hauled in a 46-yard TD pass, Alofania Tevaseau scored on a 5-yard run and Liberty led 26-20 with 8:09 left in the second quarter.
It was the first time the Trojans trailed in a game since last year’s OIA championship game against Kahuku.
They bounced back, as Vavae Malepeai broke off a 47-yard TD run to tie it up at 26.
But Dedeaux answered for the Pats, scoring on a 12-yard run. Then Liberty (1-1) attempted an onside kick and recovered, and Mililani was also flagged for a 15-yard personal foul penalty on the play.
As a result Calvin Tubbs rumbled to the end zone on an 8-yard run to push the Liberty lead to 39-26.
While the Trojans continued to fight back on offense, they never could solve Liberty’s ground attack to make up any ground.
"We just could not stop their running game," York said. "Defense wins championships. If you score 53 points you should win. But we are going to learn from this and get better. I was proud of the way they fought and stuck together."
Liberty coach Rich Muraco was surprised with how much success his team had running the ball.
"I didn’t really think that would be the case," Muraco said. "We wanted to run and get 3 or 4 yards, eat the clock and slow the game down. Mililani is an amazing team — they have some amazing players and great coaches.
"Having done what they just did, get on a plane and travel for six hours, it is one of the most difficult things you can imagine. High school kids really don’t know how to handle it. When we went to Hawaii last week, we didn’t feel like we played our best game there, and I’m sure Mililani doesn’t feel like they played their best game here."
York disagreed.
"No way. We came in ready to go. Liberty just came in and kicked our (behind)," said York. "Hats off to their coaching staff and their players. They made one heck of a game plan."
However, York was not disappointed with Mililani’s first game on the mainland in the school’s 40-year history. In fact, despite the tough loss, he can’t wait to do it again.
"I will fight for this kind of bye week every time, said York. "We want to go into hostile environments, we want to face the Libertys and Bishop Gormans. Because we are going to improve and get better.
"This experience is precious."
