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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, November 9, 2008

Leilehua tops Wai'anae, 32-0, for state berth

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

WAHIAWA — No. 5 Leilehua will return to defend its Division I state title.

The Mules trampled No. 7 Wai'anae, 32-0, last night to capture third place in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red tournament and a state berth at Hugh Yoshida Stadium.

The Mules (9-2), who avenged a 27-21 loss to Wai'anae here on Sept. 26, will play Maui Interscholastic League champion Baldwin Nov. 21 at War Memorial Stadium on Maui in an opening-round game.

The Seariders (5-6) are done for the season.

"It's great to be able to return to the state tournament," Leilehua quarterback Andrew Manley said. "That was our goal, to redeem ourselves. We didn't win the OIA, but we still got a chance at the states."

The Mules took a philosophical approach to the game.

"We didn't come out here to win," Manley said. "We came out so we could be with each other next week. The coaches kept pushing it that we have to stay within the family."

Manley completed 18 of 25 passes for 356 yards and three TDs, including bombs of 94 yards to Cheves Aberilla Ramento and 75 yards to Matt Reyes. His other scoring pass was 6 yards to Aberilla Ramento, who had four receptions for 131 yards.

Maika Kunioka added field goals of 24 and 37 yards and Rico Newman scored on a 2-yard run.

The Mules cashed in on turnovers for three of their first four scores in taking a 22-0 lead into the half.

The Seariders took the opening kickoff, but fumbled on their first play from scrimmage that Leilehua recovered at the Seariders' 15. Three plays later, Manley hit Aberilla Ramento on a 6-yard TD to make it 6-0 with 10:22 in the first quarter, but Kunioka never got a chance to make the PAT because of a low snap from center.

Later in the quarter, the Mules got pinned back to their 16 after a punt and two false starts pushed them farther back to the 6. But Manley hit Aberilla Ramento on a streak at the Leilehua 38, where the receiver then outran the rest of the Seariders defense to make it 12-0 with 2:06 in the first quarter. This time Kunioka's PAT was blocked.

The Seariders fumbled the ensuing kickoff at their 49, where the Mules took over and finished the 11-play drive with a 24-yard field goal by Kunioka with 9:41 left in the half to make it 15-0.

With about two minutes left in the half, Marcus Breakfield intercepted a Wai'anae pass and the Mules took over from their 29. After Manley was sacked for a 4-yard loss, he connected with Matt Reyes on a wide receiver screen that turned into a 75-yard TD pass.

This time Kunioka made the PAT with one minute left in the half to make it 22-0.

Manley was 15-of-22 for 312 yards at the half.

"They played a great game," Wai'anae coach Dan Matsumoto said of Leilehua. "They were well-prepared. They executed very well."

WAI'ANAE (5-6) 0 0 0 0 — 0

LEILEHUA (9-2) 12 10 0 10 —32

Lei—Cheves Aberilla Ramento 6 pass from Andrew Manley (kick failed).

Lei—Aberilla Ramento 94 pass from Manley (kick blocked).

Lei—FG Maika Kunioka 24.

Lei—Matt Reyes 75 pass from Manley (Kunioka kick).

Lei—Rico Newman 2 run (Kunioka kick).

Lei—FG Kunioka 37.

RUSHING—Wai'anae: Maurice Simpson 2-(minus 28) Danny Kekoanui 9-21, Johnathan Ligsay 5-20, Keoni Napierala-Rose 4-3, Damien Delacruz 1-11, Charles Inferreira 1-1, Team 1-(minus 9),

Leilehua: Manley 10-(minus 48), Rico Newman 7-2, Carlos Marshall 11-2, Schmidt 3-3, Reyes 1-3, Kamana Akagi 3-(minus 9), Kosi Lavea Jennings 2-(minus 4).

PASSING—Wai'anae: Simpson 2-4-1—39, Napierala-Rose 4-18-0—50.

Leilehua: Manley 18-25-0—356, Akagi 0-1-0—0.

RECEIVING—Wai'anae: Ligsay 2-19, Tofia Manufekai 2-58, Jahsiah Bales 1-6, Kekoanui 1-6.

Leilehua: Carlos Marshall 1-7, Newman 6-100, Kamana Akagi 3-11, Edieson Dumlao 2-26, Aberilla Ramento 4-131, Marcus Breakfield 1-6, Reyes 1-75.

JV championship: Leilehua 28, Wai'nae 7.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.