Posted on: Saturday, September 25, 2004
Leilehua rallies late, beats 'Aiea, 21-14
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
'AIEA— Chustin Senas scored two touchdowns, the last with one minute, 49 seconds left on a 52-yard reception, to rally Leilehua over 'Aiea, 21-14, last night at the Na Ali'i stadium.
The Mules, ranked ninth in The Advertiser Top 10, trailed 14-7 entering the fourth quarter before quarterback Bryant Moniz's two fourth-quarter TD strikes — the first on a 44-yarder to Anthony Palomares that tied the game at 14, before his game-winner to Senas.
"I knew we could do 'em (rally)," Senas said. "We had lost hope (earlier), but we picked ourselves up."
The Mules (5-0 overall, 3-0) set up their game-winning drive after an interception by Guy Cantrell at the Leilehua 48. On first down, Moniz hit Senas in stride, escaping cornerback C.J. Tausaga down the right sidelines en route to the end zone.
"He's fast," Tausaga said of Senas. "Give him credit."
Senas returned an interception 71 yards in the first quarter that gave Leilehua a 7-0 lead.
"I was just in the right place at the right time," Senas said.
But Tausaga's 84-yard interception return to the Leilehua 6 set up a four-yard TD pass from Kali Kuia to Donny Mapusaga that gave Na Ali'i a 14-7 lead.
Leilehua's tying TD came after the Mules got possession at the 'Aiea 44. On first down, Moniz hit Palomares in stride on a similar pass play.
"We were very fortunate to come out with a win tonight," Leilehua first-year coach Nolan Tokuda said.
Na Ali'i's hope for a comeback was stalled a bit with the loss of starting quarterback Kali Kuia, who is still suffering the effects of a concussion he sustained in preseason, 'Aiea coach Wendell Say said. He was taken out early in the second quarter as a precaution, Say said.
Receiver Lofa Li'ili'i, who earlier caught a 62-yard TD pass from Kuia, tied the game at 7, finished at quarterback. When 'Aiea had the ball in the final 59 seconds, it could only net four yards.
"Not having him hurt," Say said of Kuia. "When we run our two-minute offense (in practice), it's usually with Kali in there."
'Aiea kept the game close with two interceptions off Moniz, who passed for 186 yards, and with the ground support of running back Mapusaga, who had 119 yards on 17 carries.
'Aiea (2-4, 1-3) 7 7 0 0—14 Lei—Chustin Senas 71 interception return (Ryan Bibilone kick)
'Aiea—Lofa Li'ili'i 62 pass from Kali Kuia (William Lawrimore kick)
'Aiea—Donny Mapusaga 4 pass from Kuia (Lawrimore kick)
Lei—Anthony Palomares 44 pass from Bryant Moniz (Bibilone kick)
Lei—Senas 52 pass from Moniz (Bibilone kick)
RUSHING—Leilehua: Bryant Moniz 5-(minus 16), Justin Lawelawe 7-16, Guy Cantrell 2-(minus 2), Team 1-(minus 1) . 'Aiea: Kali Kuia 1-0 , Donny Mapusaga 17-119, Teavaiki Va'a 9-22, Liiliii 5-3.
PASSING—Leilehua: Moniz. 13-29-2—186, Palomares 1-1-0—16. 'Aiea: Kuia 5-8-2—74, Li'ili'i 3-10-2—53.
RECEIVING—Leilehua: Chustin Senas 6-100, Anthony Palomares 4-75, Guy Cantrell 1-(minus 2), Justin Lawelawe 2-16, Dwight Villanueva 1-13. 'Aiea: Lahaina Olsen-Kuroda 3-18, Josh Blakemore 2-49 , Li'ili'i 1-62 , Mapusaga 2-2 , Ian Dela Cuesta 1—(minus 4).
JV: 'Aiea 7, Leilehua 7
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.
Leilehua (5-0, 3-0) 7 0 0 14—21
