The M&M show was a big hit again.
McKenzie Milton passed for 298 yards and three touchdowns, while Vavae Malepeai rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns as No. 2 Mililani overwhelmed No. 10 Kapolei 41-14 on Saturday night at the Hurricanes’ field.
Mililani improved to 3-0 in OIA Division I play and 4-0 overall.
"We took what they gave us," Trojans coach Rod York said. "It’s not easy winning in Kapolei."
Malepeai carried the ball just 15 times, while Milton took to the air with 26-for-37 passing. He was picked twice, but the Trojans simply had too many weapons. Bronson Ramos (five catches, 90 yards) and Bryson Ventura (six, 41) each caught touchdowns in the first half.
When the Hurricanes weren’t busy chasing receivers and trying to stuff Malepeai at the line of scrimmage, Milton was out in open space. The speedy junior ran for 88 yards.
"That quarterback is in a class by himself. He’s the real deal," Kapolei coach Darren Hernandez said.
As a team, the Trojans rushed for 261 yards on 34 carries and finished with 559 yards in total offense.
The only negative for Mililani: 13 yellow flags for 150 yards in penalties.
Kapolei’s bread-and-butter, its ground attack, was stifled by a front wall led by Rex Manu and Kahewai Ka’aiawa’awa. The two accounted for four of Mililani’s five sacks and helped limit the ‘Canes to 40 rushing yards on 25 carries.
"The lower man wins. We used technique and leverage," York said.
Hurricanes quarterback Alton Julius was on the run much of the night and finished with two touchdown passes, three interceptions and 118 passing yards.
It was a bittersweet night for many in the football community because of the death of legendary Farrington coach Skippa Diaz. Hernandez wrapped trainer’s tape around each finger, Skippa style, in honor of his mentor.
"Twenty years ago, I was a brand-new coach at Campbell. We played them and he took me under his wing. I remember him reaching out to me and he didn’t have to do that.
"I can’t put my finger on it, but he was a different kind of guy and he was real good about just being there. Several times we’d meet and sit down, talk about football, talk about life, not just X’s and O’s, but what football can do for young men. I’ll always hold that dear," he said.
At Kapolei
| KAPOLEI (0-3, 0-3) |
0 |
7 |
7 |
0 |
— |
14 |
| MILILANI (4-0, 3-0) |
14 |
14 |
7 |
6 |
— |
41 |
Mil—Bronson Ramos 13 pass from McKenzie Milton (Marc Matas kick)
Mil—Bryson Ventura 25 pass from Milton (Matas kick)
Mil—Vavae Malepeai 47 run (Matas kick)
Kap—Naliko Kea 19 pass from Alton Julius (Julius kick)
Mil—Milton 1 run (Matas kick)
Mil—Malepeai 1 run (Matas kick)
Kap—Kekua Marumoto 20 pass from Julius (Julius kick)
Mil—Luani Matagiese 10 pass from Milton (kick failed)
Junior Varsity—Mililani 30, Kapolei 7.
RUSHING—Mililani: Malepeai 15-156, Milton 16-88, Jaden Bantolina 2-11, Cheyne Constantino 1-6. Kapolei: Julius 7-22, L.J. Esperas 5-19, Ronald Matautia 2-2, Joseph Kaina 3-3, Kone Maluina 2-1, Trensten Spragling 2-(minus-3), Ekolu Young 4-(minus-4).
PASSING—Mililani: Milton 26-37-2-298. Kapolei: Julius 8-24-3-118.
RECEIVING—Mililani: Kalakaua Timoteo 6-79, Ventura 6-41, Ramos 5-90, Luani Matagiese 3-34, Roman Tovi 3-30, Joshua Butac 2-21, Cody Yamauchi 1-3. Kapolei: Kea 3-47, Young 3-46, Marumoto 1-20, Tristan Centeio 1-5.
