Trojans, Lunas looking to rebound
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
Mililani and Lahainaluna each have just one loss entering tomorrow's first round of the First Hawaiian Bank State Football Championships. But each team's loss has come previous to this game.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
"They know it's states," Mililani coach James Millwood said of his players' morale. "We didn't win the OIA, but they're over it now. The leadership has picked up the slack."
Running back Jordan Torres will lead No. 3 Mililani against No. 7 Lahainaluna in the first round of the Division I state tournament.
The Trojans (10-1), third in The Advertiser Top 10, had their 10-game win streak snapped in last week's O'ahu Interscholastic Association championship by Kahuku. The No. 7 Lunas (8-1-1) suffered their only setback in the Maui Interscholastic League regular-season finale to King Kekaulike on Nov. 5; a Baldwin win against Maui the next night clinched the title for Lahainaluna.
Mililani, making its second state appearance in as many years, is traveling off O'ahu for the first time since a preseason game in 1991 against Waiakea on the Big Island. Lahainaluna is the first team to participate in both state classifications. Last year, the Lunas were classified as Division II and beat visiting Hawai'i Prep before being eliminated in the semifinals by eventual state Division II champion 'Aiea.
Mililani will face an offense it isn't familiar with. The Lunas use a wing-T type offense that involves a lot of misdirection, Millwood said.
"It's nothing like we've seen all year," he said. "We have to make sure our defense does its responsibilities. They have to stay in their area and carry out their assignments."
The Lunas have a number of rushers who get the ball with some frequency, but Wayne Phillips (5-10, 180) is the leader with 655 yards in 74 carries. He leads the team with eight touchdowns, five by rushing. The other running backs who see a lot of action are Paul Maielua (5-8, 185, Glen Kuresa (6-0, 230) and Toni Tafea (5-6, 185). All average at least 4.8 yards per carry.
Under the radar has been quarterback Preston Medeiros, who has passed for 969 yards, averaging 9.2 yards per attempt, which is a higher rating than any of the state's top 10 passers who have thrown for more than 1,000 yards. He has been intercepted only twice to his seven TD passes. Raymond Akoi has been the favorite target with 25 receptions, or more than half of Medeiros' completions (45).
The Trojans' defense isn't huge, but is quick and athletic. Linebacker Aaron Po'oloa has made a smooth transition from defensive back, which he played last year. Cornerback Chris Dickerson usually draws the opponent's best receiver.
Offensively, the Trojans are equally efficient on the ground and in the air. It's pick your poison between running backs Kekoa Perbera (880 yards, 11 TDs) and Jordan Apduhan (429 yards, 6 TDs). Focus on those two, and watch slotback Jordan Torres (397 yards) throw in a wrench on counter plays.
Quarterback Maka Kahoano is no slouch as a rusher, either, totaling 180 yards and six TDs. His arm also is a threat, passing for 1,382 yards and 14 TDs. He averaged 8.5 yards per attempt and was intercepted just four times in 163 attempts. While Jon Santos (682 yards, 8 TDs) has been the favorite target, Nick Rogers has come up with some big catches during the playoffs (5 for 130 yards vs. Kahuku).
Millwood said Lahainaluna uses 4-3 and 3-3 defenses, noting that a couple of its linebackers were quick.
The Lunas allowed 91 points, the second fewest among MIL teams. It handed defending MIL champion Baldwin its only loss, as well as tied the Bears. Lahainaluna also beat Big Island Division I champion Kealakehe in the preseason.
Lahainaluna coach Robert Watson did not return several phone messages by our deadline.
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.
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