Leilehua starts season with win over Service

The Leilehua Mules made it a sweep for Hawaii schools over Alaska powerhouses with a narrow 23-15 victory over Service on Friday at Hugh Yoshida Stadium.

Leilehua led Service, ranked No. 2 in the 49th state by MaxPreps, 23-7 at halftime. But the Cougars stopped a fake punt at midfield and scored on a 17-yard sweep by multi-talented Viliamu Aukusitino.

After the 5-foot-11, 190-pound senior scored on another sweep for the 2-point conversion, Service trailed 23-15 with 7:43 remaining.

Service’s next series ended on a pick by Brennon Jacinto, who kicked a field goal in the first half.

The visitors got one more chance with 48 seconds left and drove from their 31-yard line to the Leilehua 28 on a big scramble by quarterback T.J. Toomer and a 24-yard strike to Trevor Williamson.

Three players were injured in that final series, including two Mules.

With 10 seconds to go at the Mules’ 28-yard line, Toomer scrambled and was tripped up by Leilehua’s Chance DeLuca, forcing a fumble that ended the Cougars’ chances as time expired.

“That’s what great games are about. Leilehua came prepared and injuries hurt us a little bit, but we make no excuses. It was a great game,” Cougars coach Numi Ilalio said, noting a key loss in receiver Matthew Ilalio.

“Leilehua is very athletic, very disciplined and a lot of speed. What we took away from here is play disciplined, play fast and physical,” the coach said.

Ilalio was an assistant when Service came to Leilehua a year ago and left with a 34-all tie.

Leilehua used all kinds of muddle-huddle sets and gadget plays, including a 2-point PAT run by Jacinto, the kicker.

His 37-yard field goal put Leilehua ahead 9-7 with 1:50 to go in the first quarter.

Keoni Piceno (eight receptions, 58 yards) scored on a 16-yard toss from Levi Castaneres, and Justin Jenks connected with Kahi Kilaulani for a 29-yard touchdown before the half.

At Hugh Yoshida Stadium

Leilehua    9    14    0    0    —    23

SER—Thavun Srisaneha 21 pass from Viliamu Aukusitino (Ihro Raquindin kick)

LEI—Keoni Piceno 29 kick from Justin Jenks (pass failed)

LEI—FG Brennon Jacinto 37

LEI—Piceno 16 pass from Levi Castanares (Jacinto run)

LEI—Kahi Kilaulani 29 pass from Jenks (run failed)

SER—Aukusitino 10 run (Aukusitino run)

RUSHING—Service: Aukusitino 13-122, C.J. Toomer 3-16, Raquindin 3-6, Levin Hansen 3-5, Hiapo McCandles 1-4, Eric Jones 4-(-3). Leilehua: Shaldan Kalaau 1-15, Conrad Supnet 1-12, Ikaika Piceno 12-12, K. Piceno 1-7, William Pule 1-0, Keannu Kamakaiwi 1-(-2), Castanares 3-(-5), Abel Miller 1-(-5), Jenks 3-(-22).

PASSING—Service: Aukusitino 5-12-1-21, Toomer 7-14-2-70. Leilehua: Justin Jenks 16-26-1-125, Castanares 6-11-0-54.

RECEIVING—Service: Trevor Williamson 5-56, Aukusitino 3-20, Nick Butler 1-16, Nahshon Fromm 1-2, Srisaneha 2-(-3). Leilehua: K. Piceno 8-58, Josh Jenks 5-35, Nick Rodriguez 2-28, Dustin Ancheta-Maeda 2-0, Kilaulani 1-29, Supnet 1-20, I. Piceno 1-8, Castanares 1-1.