All for one, and one for all. In the end, it was the Mules who proved that love can conquer all.

Leilehua High School pulled one shocker after another to win last year's Division I state football title, a 20-16 comeback win over Saint Louis. Faced with losses and obstacles, the Mules more than ever rallied around the concepts of teamwork, brotherhood, belief and loving one another.

The concepts were always there in the Leilehua program. It took one defining season and one amazing run, though, for all to realize just how true those ideas were.

"It was something that we had for a couple of years," Leilehua coach Nolan Tokuda said. "One team, one family concept. It just played in effect when we went through the tough times and adversity, with wins, losses, injuries, players removed from the team.

"After that, we just decided maybe we focused on the wrong area."

There was never any doubt in the talent on the Leilehua team. But losses seemed to speak otherwise, and the Mules needed a coin flip just to qualify for the O'ahu Interscholastic Association playoffs.

Then their two quarterbacks got hurt in a playoff game. Up came bright-eyed Andrew Manley, a sophomore, from the junior varsity team.

How would someone that young handle under the brightest lights and at the biggest moments?

The Mules never lost the rest of the way, winning OIA and state crowns. Prior to last year, Leilehua won the the 1984 O'ahu Prep Bowl and was the state runner-up in 2004.

"JV and varsity, we all help each other out with practice," Manley said. "We practice 50 yards form each other. Everything we do, it is together. We make sure it's part of our brotherhood. When you come up to varsity, you already know.

"We're a family; everybody knows what we're doing."

But it's more than just winning on the field. It's about creating memories, building character, helping the guy next to you and improving one's self. If all that happens, everything else will follow.

"If we can continue to believe and improve on the field and off, the winning will come," Tokuda said.

It's a big task to bring a football team together, and a lot of the credit goes to Leilehua's assistant coaches. Some players even gather on Friday mornings for a Bible study group.

Moanalua coach Arnold Martinez and Waipahu coach Sean Saturnio have lent their support, too.

"We collectively decided to sit down and said as football coaches, we have to do more for these kids," Tokuda said.

No surprise, Leilehua is following the same philosophy this year.

"That's how we are basing the team philosophy," Tokuda said.

"We have 30 guys that were part of it last year and embraced it and now we're getting 30 (new) guys to embrace that theory, that philosophy about family, thinking about guy next to you instead of you.

"It can give you a head start in life, not just football."

Off the field, the win has garnered attention on Manley. Walking around Wahiawa or Pearlridge, he gets noticed. He said that's "been kind of cool," but more lies ahead.

"I have two more years to go, to get better and play hard," Manley said.

Wahiawa threw a parade for the Mules last year. Alumni turned out for the OIA and state title games at Aloha Stadium, with some even flying in from the Neighbor Islands. Even today, there's a sign that recognizes the team's achievements as you enter the town.

Everybody came together last year for an unbelievable season. This year, there are hopes of the same, of brotherhood and playing like a family.

"Last year, everybody came together," Manley said. "We always said we're family. It was easy playing for them, picking each other up. It's like a brotherhood."