Mules’ pace proves too fast

Leilehua extended its winning streak in the series against Moanalua, thus adding another week to the Mules’ season.

The Mules scored on their first two plays from scrimmage and ran away to a 54-17 win over Na Menehune in the first round of the OIA Red football playoffs on Friday at Moanalua.

“They just played together,” Leilehua coach Nolan Tokuda said. “They believed. From (last) Saturday on, they knew what was at stake. They knew this is their second season and every day we get a chance to be out there with them is a blessing.”

Leilehua (6-3) advances to face OIA Red West top seed Mililani in a quarterfinal game next Saturday. Mililani (7-1) had a bye in the opening round and won the regular-season matchup with Leilehua 44-14 on Sept. 27.

“Mililani is a class program, so any time you get  a chance to play against that type of program you want to see where you stack up. So it’s going to be a great opportunity,” Tokuda said.

Leilehua had won all 23 meetings with Moanalua, including playoff victories the previous two years, entering Friday’s game. The Mules outscored Na Menehune 69-10 in the last two postseason matchups and again broke away early.

Moanalua’s first two drives ended with a fumble and an interception and Leilehua converted the turnovers into touchdown runs by Ikaika Piceno (21 yards) and Randy Neverson (61 yards) on the offense’s first two snaps.

The Mules scored on all five of their first-half possessions, with Piceno accounting for three scores, two on runs and another on the first of Justin Jenks’ two touchdown passes.

Tristin Kamaka contributed an 89-yard punt return and a 45-yard touchdown reception from Jenks in the second quarter to give Leilehua a 40-10 lead at halftime.

Leilehua — which attempted just seven passes in the game — generated 280 yards in total offense on just 22 plays in the first half, while Moanalua had the ball for 46 plays for 216 yards.

Neverson finished the game with 175 yards and two TDs on just 11 carries.

“It just set the tempo,” Neverson said of the Mules’ quick start. “We saw the O-line pushing it, the D-line pushing it. We had to put our part in, work hard, put up the scores and set the tempo.”

Mack Eberhardt relieved Jenks in the fourth quarter and scored on a 76-yard touchdown run for Leilehua’s final score of the night.

“We kept it simple and just our guys play fast,” Tokuda said.

“I think the coaches did an excellent job putting together a nice game plan and the players trusting us and just executing.”

Moanalua ended its season at 3-6 after finishing fourth in the OIA Red East.

Quarterback Micah Kaneshiro closed his career by passing for 295 yards and two touchdowns. Both scoring throws went to Chad Aragon, who finished with nine catches for 133 yards.

“These guys really taught me a lot and they accomplished a lot,” Moanalua coach Arnold Martinez said. “Life’s that way, it’s not going to go your way sometimes.”