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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, October 27, 2007

No. 10 Leilehua stuns No. 4 Mililani

By Kalani Takase
Advertiser Staff Writer

MILILANI — Bronson Pausa scored on a 2-yard run in overtime and No. 10 Leilehua upset No. 4 Mililani, 27-21, in the quarterfinal round of the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red Division Tournament at John Kauinana Stadium last night.

Leilehua improves to 6-4 and advances to meet the winner of tonight's Farrington-Campbell game in one semifinal at Aloha Stadium Friday.

"This is huge," said an emotional Leilehua head coach Nolan Tokuda. "I have no words to describe it. I'm just so proud of our kids, they put their heart into it."

Pausa's touchdown run came on first-and-goal after Leilehua got a 13-yard completion from Andrew Manley to Rico Newman on third-and-5.

"I just knew I had to pound it forward," said Pausa. "It feels so good and we did it together."

Mililani got first possession in overtime and took a 24-21 lead on an apparent field goal by Colin Lund. But a roughing the kicker penalty, which the Trojans accepted, gave them a first-and-goal just inside the 10, and took the three points off the scoreboard.

Leilehua's defense stiffened and stopped the Trojans on fourth-and-goal from the two.

Mililani ended its season at 7-2.

Mililani struck first on a 1-yard touchdown run by sophomore Taz Stevenson.

On the drive, Trojans' quarterback Rustin Funakoshi completed passes of 32 and 20 yards to Joshua Manuma and Colin Lund, respectively, to extend the possession.

Stevenson turned the corner on a toss right to cap a 11-play, 75-yard drive. Lund kicked the extra point to give Mililani a 7-0 lead after the first quarter.

Leilehua answered back with a 33-yard touchdown pass from Manley to Robert Siavii to tie it with just under 11 minutes left in the first half.

Manley was starting his first game after being promoted from the JV earlier this week. Both quarterbacks Leilehua used during the season, Kaipo Kea and Kaipo DeRego, were unavailable due to injuries suffered in last week's win over Castle.

Following a Mililani three-and-out, Leilehua started with the ball at the Trojans' 33.

Newman gained 32 yards on three consecutive carries to set up his own 1-yard score to give the Mules a 14-7 lead with 3:26 left in the half.

Mililani went back to its talented sophomore Stevenson on the next drive — which lasted one play.

The 6-foot-2 receiver beat the man-to-man coverage and Funakoshi got him the ball for a 63-yard pitch-and-catch to make it 14-all.

Leilehua's defense held on first-and-goal from the 5-yard line just before halftime. The Mules forced incompletions on three straight downs and the field-goal attempt was botched after a bad hold.

The teams combined for four punts in a scoreless third quarter.

The Mules finally broke the tie on a 31-yard touchdown pass from Manley to Allan Macam with 5:56 left in the game.

Macam cut to the inside of the Mililani cornerback, Manley threw a quick strike in stride and Macam went untouched for the go-ahead score.

The Trojans answered back with an eight-play, 63-yard drive.

Funakoshi gained a crucial first down on third-and-eight and Leilehua was called for a 15-yard facemask penalty to give Mililani a first down from the Mules' 26.

However, Leilehua forced incompletions on the next two plays and the Trojans converted on a controversial reception by Kahi Perbera.

Funakoshi threw over the middle to the fullback, who appeared to drop the pass on television replays. It was ruled a completion and Funakoshi connected with Lund on a 5-yard play-action pass for the tying score two plays later to send the game into overtime.

LEILEHUA (6-4) 0 14 0 7 6—27

MILILANI (7-2) 7 7 0 7 0—21

Mili — Taz Stevenson 1 run (Colin Lund kick)

Lei — Robert Siavii 33 pass from Andrew Manley (Garrison Garma kick)

Lei — Bronson Pausa 1 run (Garma kick)

Mili — Stevenson 63 pass from Rustin Funakoshi (Lund kick)

Lei — Allan Macam 31 pass from Manley (Garma kick)

Mili — Lund 5 pass from Funakoshi (Lund kick)

Lei — Pausa 2 run

RUSHING — Leilehua: Rico Newman 22-97, Pausa 8-24, Manley 5-(minus 15), Joedee Taua 1-2. Mililani: Mark Goya 6-0, Joshua Manuma 1-4, Stevenson 5-21, Funakoshi 10-34, Zachary Villanueva 1-0, Kekai Trout 10-70, Kahi Perbera 1-(minus 1).

PASSING — Leilehua: Manley 8-21-0—160. Mililani: Funakoshi 18-35-1—222.

RECEIVING — Leilehua: Macam 2-51, Elijah Manaea 2-36, Siavii 1-33, Newman 3-40. Mililani: Goya 2-15, Stevenson 7-99, Manuma 4-53, Lund 3-34, Trent Tamate 1-8.

JV SCORE — RADFORD 34, CASTLE 20.

Reach Kalani Takase at ktakase@honoluluadvertiser.com.