It wasn’t perfection, but Rod York might be smiling when practice begins at Mililani this morning.

The 8 o’clock workout is a reminder that the road ahead is long and arduous, even after a 43-23 rout of sixth-ranked ‘Iolani last night at John Kauinana Stadium.

Quarterback Trent McKinney didn’t have to carry the load, though he was 11-for-18 for 108 yards, three touchdowns and no picks. Instead, Mililani’s front five bulldozed through the visiting defense, allowing running back Zachary Payomo to rush for 251 yards and a touchdown on 27 attempts. A crowd of about 1,500 saw No. 9 Mililani win its second nonconference game in as many weeks.

"We wanted to dominate the first quarter and second quarter, but we let up in the second half. We’ve got to finish strong," McKinney said. "We wanted to get our 2s and 3s in and show our depth."

They showed that and more, with Payomo (5-foot-7, 169 pounds) having the game of his life.

"I was surprised with him. He started strong and kept breaking tackles," McKinney said.

"We worked very hard this week," Payomo said. "We trusted our teammates, and I read the holes my line made."

The Trojans have a history of running through ‘Iolani’s defense. Four years ago, Jordan Torres rushed for 234 yards and two touchdowns in a 26-23 win over the Raiders.

This time, it was Payomo who exploded through holes between the tackles. He had 176 yards on 15 carries before halftime.

‘Iolani stayed in a base defense throughout the game, York noted.

"We understand ‘Iolani very well," York said. "They don’t game plan for these kinds of games, and they never adjusted. They save that for later (in the season)."

Defensive tackle Brandon Takadena led a swarming Trojans defense with two sacks and several hurries.

‘Iolani’s Reece Foy didn’t enter until the second half, but passed for 176 yards (11-for-19) and three touchdowns against a unit that was mostly reserves. Starter Josiah Situmeang was 7-for-17 and 94 yards.

Mililani got on the scoreboard on its second possession. McKinney found Hassan Richardson, who made a a diving catch on a post pattern in the end zone with 5:33 left in the opening quarter.

Linebacker Justin Revilla stopped Jordan Lee short on a fourth-and-10 pass, giving Mililani possession at its 6-yard line. Payomo raced for 57 yards on the ensuing drive and fullback Reid Watanabe finished it off with a 5-yard blast to give the Trojans a 14-0 lead with 10:26 to go in the second quarter.

Mililani got help on its next series with a 15-yard facemask call on the visitors, and McKinney capped a five-play, 85-yard march with a 3-yard alley-oop lob to Ervan Jean-Pierre just beyond the left pylon. The Trojans led 21-0 with 7:40 remaining in the first half.

The Raiders, with the sophomore Situmeang at quarterback all half, drove to the Mililani 2-yard line, but stalled again. A fly sweep by Lee was stopped for a 2-yard loss by linebacker Cilvin Steward to end the threat.

A muffed punt return by the Raiders was recovered by Jeff Havelock at the ‘Iolani 43-yard line late in the half, and McKinney found Colby Lum for a 36-yard pass play. Moments later, McKinney tossed another high spiral to Jean-Pierre for a 9-yard score, and the Trojans were in command, 28-0, with 13 seconds remaining in the half.

Jarin Morikawa drilled a 31-yard field goal to boost Mililani’s lead to 31 points with 6:12 to go in the third quarter.

Payomo cracked the end zone with 5:03 left in the third for a 37-0 Trojans lead.

Foy sparked ‘Iolani with touchdown passes of 67 yards to Tanner Nishioka and 29 yards to Kasey Takahashi to cut the margin to 37-14 late in the third.

The Trojans recovered an on-side kick try and drove 50 yards for another score. McKinney’s 1-yard sneak, his last play of the game, gave Mililani a 43-14 lead with 10:17 left.

Foy’s third touchdown strike, a 26-yard post route by Bret Christman, cut the lead to 43-21 with 7:02 remaining.

INTERLEAGUE
RADFORD 47, DAMIEN 0

Maika Ulufale threw for 242 yards and three touchdowns as the Rams dominated the Monarchs.

Phil Hogan found the end zone three times on the ground and finished with 78 yards to lead Radford.

AIEA 23, ROOSEVELT 6

Otto-Titan Salausa nearly eclipsed the century mark on the ground as Na Alii rushed over the Rough Riders.

Salausa rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown, while Freddy Taliulu and Cheston Ioapo scored a touchdown on the ground as well.

OIA RED EAST
KAILUA AT KAHUKU, PPD

Yesterday’s Kailua at Kahuku football game was postponed because of a power outage.

The game was rescheduled for 2 p.m. today at Kahuku.

It is the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red East Division opener for both teams.

ALSO
FARRINGTON 28, KAISER 12

OIA WHITE
PEARL CITY 39, ANUENUE 8

Dustin Bataya threw for 229 yards and four touchdowns as the Chargers won their OIA White home opener against Anuenue.

Biatorri Briscoe hauled in passes of 60 and 15 yards for two of the five Chargers touchdowns.

KALAHEO 33, WAIALUA 13

Jesse Carney had three touchdowns as the Mustangs defeated the visiting Bulldogs. Carney scored on runs of 47 and 29 yards, as well as a 65-yard interception return in the fourth quarter. Kaleo Maglinti added 128 rushing yards for the Mustangs.

Kennedy Siasi scored both touchdowns for Waialua.

WAIPAHU 28, NANAKULI 8

Joseph Shelton struck first for the Golden Hawks, scoring on a 2-yard run in the first quarter, but the Marauders quickly answered and took over the game.

Victor Moananu ran for 214 yards, scoring two touchdowns to lead Waipahu.