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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Friday, October 31, 2003

Mililani perfect test for Kailua

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

JAMES MILLWOOD

Tonight's O'ahu Interscholastic Association football semifinals will showcase several of the league's top offensive stars, like Kahuku's Waika Carvalho (1,174 yards passing) and Spencer Hafoka (672 yards receiving), Farrington's Matt Bell (727 yards rushing), Kailua's Damien Torres (1,089 yards rushing) and Mililani's ... um ... Mililani's ...

Well, the Trojans may not have the individual stat leaders like the other three teams, but collectively Mililani owns the best possible statistics: 9 wins, 0 losses.

The Trojans will put that unbeaten record on the line against Kailua (7-1-1) at 7:30 at Aloha Stadium.

"It's just been mostly consistency and playing well together," said Mililani coach James Millwood, in his 10th year at the helm. "We've taken care of the ball, and somebody different always comes through when we need it. I've had more talented teams as far as weapons, but this team has been the most steady. The players and coaching staff have come together well."

The Trojans are not without talent. They have a corps of running backs (Carlo Raneses, Aran Bisho, Jordan Apduhan and Peter Raneses) that has combined for an average of 175.4 yards per game, not counting a nonleague victory over 'Aiea.

Quarterback Maka Kahoano has been efficient in his limited pass attempts, completing 61 of 111 (55.5 percent) for 717 yards and 10 touchdowns, against only four interceptions. Even without a big-name individual, Mililani still led the Western Division with an average of 311.9 yards per game.

But Millwood said the Trojans face their biggest test tonight.

"Everybody talks about Kailua's offense, but their defense is very aggressive," Millwood said. "We like to run the ball, but it'll be a challenge to establish that. (The Surfriders) swarm to the ball well, and they're good at creating things."

Mililani's defense is no slouch, either. The Trojans have allowed more than two touchdowns only twice, against Pearl City (35-20) and Wai'anae (27-20).

The unit is led by senior Mikhail Mabry, a 6-foot-2, 225-pound middle linebacker who is good at swarming and creating things himself.

"He's been our leader, by far," Millwood said. "He does everything for us and is like a coach on the field."

Mililani's defense also has gotten a big boost from having 1988 graduate Ma'a Tanuvasa as its line coach. Tanuvasa, a former standout at the University of Hawa'i, played nine seasons in the NFL.

The Trojans also have benefitted from the punting of Darren Smith, an All-State goalkeeper in soccer.

"He's been a weapon," Millwood said. "A lot of times the other team gets no returns."

Win or lose tonight, Mililani has enjoyed many happy returns this season — already tied for the school's winningest ever. The Trojans already have secured their first state tournament berth.

"I've been getting extra e-mails and stuff, and the boys feel good about themselves walking around campus," Millwood said. "A winning season will do that, but it hasn't been easy. We had a real good offseason of training, especially in the summer. It's taken perseverance."



OIA RED SEMIFINALS

Kahuku vs. Farrington

When: Today, 5 p.m.

Where: Aloha Stadium

Recrods: Kahuku 9-0, Farrington 5-3-1

Advertiser Top 10 ranking: Kahuku No. 1, Farrington No. 7

Last week: Kahuku defeated Wai'anae, 41-8; Farrington defeated Pearl City, 21-7

Notes: Farrington upset Kahuku, 21-20, in last year's quarterfinals, keeping the Red Raiders out of the state tournament for the first time. But Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai said that while the loss served as valuable motivation for offseason training and a 40-7 regular season victory on Sept. 26, the bitter taste of defeat is mostly gone. "It helped us in the offseason and gave the kids a reason to play harder," Livai said. "But we don't want to dwell on it forever." ... Farrington also lost last year's regular season meeting, 35-7. ... Governors running back Matt Bell got off to a slow start this season with teams keying on him, but has caught fire the past two games. He rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns and had four receptions for 104 yards in a 35-6 victory over Kaimuki two weeks ago, then rushed for 161 yards and one touchdown and caught three passes for 54 yards and two TDs last week. ... Kahuku's backfield was a little banged up two weeks ago, with running back Darren Magalolo sitting out against Kailua and Hyrum Moors seeing limited action. But both were back against Wai'anae and combined for 77 yards on six carries.



MILILANI vs. KAILUA

When: Today, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Aloha Stadium

Records: Mililani 9-0, Kailua 7-1-1

Advertiser Top 10 ranking: Kailua No. 4, Mililani No. 5

Lask week: Mililani defeated McKinley, 13-12 in overtime; Kailua defeated Nanakuli, 42-6

Notes: Mililani also won nine games in 1990, when it finished 9-2 after losing to Farrington 16-6 in the league quarterfinals. ... Tonight's game is a rematch of last year's quarterfinal, which Kailua won 41-17. The Trojans trailed only 20-17 after three quarters until the Surfriders pulled away with a 21-point fourth period. ... Kailua's strength remains its vaunted running game behind a powerful offensive line, but quarterback Kelroy Kohatsu has developed into an effective passer, completing 9 of 12 for 152 yards and two touchdowns last week without an interception. ... Surfriders running back Damien Torres continued his amazing pace last week, rushing for 254 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries. Since taking over most of the carries for injured starter Kekoa Sua on Sept. 26, Torres has rushed for 929 yards and nine touchdowns on 90 rushes (10.3 yards per carry) in five games.



OIA WHITE SEMIFINALS (winners advance to state tournament)

RADFORD AT 'AIEA

When: Tomorrow, about 6:30 p.m.

Where: 'Aiea High School Stadium, 98-1276 Ulune St.

Records: Radford 5-3, 'Aiea 6-2

Advertiser Top 10 ranking: Both unranked

Last game: Radford lost to Kapolei, 38-21; 'Aiea defeated Moanalua, 20-14

Notes: Radford is making its first playoff appearance since 1998 and only its third since 1995. 'Aiea is in the playoffs for the fourth time in six seasons. ... In the teams' regular season meeting on Sept. 13, 'Aiea blanked the Rams, 10-0. R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane had the game's only touchdown when he returned an interception for 70 yards. Brandon Puckett added a 32-yard field goal. The game featured nine interceptions, with 'Aiea throwing four and Radford five. ... 'Aiea quarterback Kali Kuia led the White Conference in passing, with 138 completions in 220 attempts (62.7 percent) for 1,561 yards and 12 touchdowns. ... Na Ali'i also have two of the White's top receivers in Ben Ah Mook Sang (46 catches, 532 yards, six touchdowns) and Alden DeMello (36, 475, 3 TDs). ... Radford finished third in the White standings despite ranking fifth in total offense and fifth in total defense. ... The Rams' Sunny Belcher did finish third in receiving, with 25 catches for 436 yards and two touchdowns. Both TDs came against Kapolei in the season finale — one for five yards and another for 65 yards. Belcher also had a 43-yard reception in that game. ... Radford's offense during the regular season almost was exactly balanced yardage-wise, with 805 yards rushing and 783 passing.



KAPOLEI VS. KALAHEO

When: Tomorrow, about 6:30 p.m.

Where: Mililani High School Stadium, 95-1200 Meheula Parkway

Records: Kapolei 8-0, Kalaheo 4-4

Advertiser Top 10 ranking: Kapolei No. 8; Kalaheo unranked

Last game: Kapolei defeated Radford, 38-21; Kalaheo defeated Kaiser by forfeit

Notes: Kalaheo originally was bounced from playoff contention after losing to Kaiser, 33-8, in their season finale. But the Mustangs later were awarded a forfeit victory after it was discovered that Kaiser had used ineligible players in that game. ... Tonight marks Kalaheo's first playoff appearance since 1998 and only its third since 1994. ... Kapolei, in only its second year as a varsity program, is making its first playoff appearance. The Hurricanes finished last season in a three-way tie for second place in the White, but were eliminated from playoff consideration on a tiebreaker. Kalaheo and Kapolei have yet to qualify for a state tournament. ... Kapolei won the teams' regular season meeting, 42-12. That game started with interceptions on Kapolei's first three possessions, but the Mustangs could not capitalize. The Hurricanes did on their first interception, with Roland Mason taking it 70 yards for the game's first touchdown. Kapolei won despite missing three injured starters (defensive back Kainoa Enhada, running back Gilbert Brown and defensive lineman Warren Simanu). ... Kapolei led the White in offense (376.6 yards per game) and defense (150.1 ypg). On O'ahu, only Kahuku has a better average on offense (422.9 ypg) and defense (134 ypg).

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.