After flying to American Samoa and back, the Mililani Trojans are better equipped for life on the road.
Tonight’s clash at Campbell kicks off the Open Division regular season for the teams. No. 3 Campbell and No. 4 Mililani haven’t lacked for inspiration in their rocket-fueled battles in recent years.
“Campbell’s loaded. They’re talented and senior (heavy). Both teams haven’t been tested in scrimmages yet. It’ll be a good matchup,” Mililani coach Rod York said. “You’ve only got five (OIA) division games, so it means a little more.”
Unlike the Interscholastic League of Honolulu, which will count all nine regular-season games against OIA and ILH opponents, the OIA will continue to exclude results against ILH teams within its standings.
The Sabers may feel unfamiliar with the 2019 Trojans.
“We don’t know anything about them except what they’ve been doing in the past,” Sabers coach Darren Johnson said.
Campbell is proven and talented at the skill positions on offense. Mililani saw graduation departures in All-State quarterback Dillon Gabriel (UCF), running back Kilifi Malepeai, and three of the top four receivers.
“We’re going to go through some growing pains in the beginning, but if these kids believe in themselves a little more and play hard all the time, they’ll be fine,” York said.
Since ’03, Mililani has won 14 of 15 matchups with Campbell, including the last nine. Last year, the Trojans defeated the Sabers twice, 24-2 and 52-14.
“Hopefully, we do something good this year. We’re hopefully going to play Mililani more than once,” Johnson said, referring to the potential of a playoff matchup. “(Tonight) is going to be a tough one. They’re well coached and they bring a lot to the table. We’ve got to figure it out and do our jobs.”
Campbell suits up one of the most potent offensive lineups in the state. Poki‘i Adkins-Kupukaa, Titus Mokiao-Atimalala and Tamatoa Mokiao-Atimalala are hungry playmakers at wide receiver and defensive back. Tamatoa Mokiao-Atimalala committed to Hawaii. Younger brother Titus and Adkins-Kupukaa also have offers from Hawaii.
“Campbell’s offense, I remember that their receivers are so athletic that when you hit them, you have to wrap up or they’re gone,” Mililani linebacker and co-captain Kamalu DeBlake said.
Campbell sophomore QB Blaine Hipa has been sharp through preseason. This will be the first start for Mililani junior quarterback Brendan Agbayani.
Mililani defensive end Shane Kady committed to Oregon State during the offseason. LB Muelu Iosefa committed to Cal. DB Fatuvalu Iosefa has offers from BYU, Nebraska and Utah State.
“They’ve got a bunch of guys who transferred in that’s going to make a big difference,” Johnson said of Mililani. “They do have experience and they’re going to bring a lot to the table.”
Mililani LB Wynden Hoohuli is a transfer from Saint Louis, rated among the best LBs in the nation by MaxPreps. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound junior has six offers. Junior LB Sonny Semeatu, a transfer from Kapolei, has an offer from Hawaii.
Arguably Campbell’s best blocking running back, Sky Lactaoen, has been recovering from a hamstring injury. Lactaoen received his first offer, from Navy, two weeks ago.
The biggest addition might be Jonan “Bubbah” Aina-Chaves, an explosive RB who landed at Campbell after St. Francis closed its doors.
Mililani’s O-line is led by Jake Tuatagaloa (6-2, 305), a commit to Hawaii. The Trojans can smashmouth from their four-wide sets with a lot of run-pass option. That will test Campbell’s LB corps, which includes Tyrese Tafai and Peter Manuma.
This could be fireworks out of the chute.
“We’re working hard,” Johnson said. “We just have to do our thing. Everyone do their job. They can’t wait until Friday.”
NO. 4 MILILANI TROJANS AT NO. 3 CAMPBELL SABERS
Today, 7:30 p.m.
>> Series history: Mililani leads 20-8-1
>> Streak: Trojans have won the last eight
>> First matchup: 9/18/1976, Campbell won 12-6
>> Most recent meeting: 11/16/2018, Mililani won 24-2
