You usually don’t hear a coach say "awesome" after a 65-6 loss, but that’s exactly what Kelsey McKay said after his Vincent Massey football team got steamrolled by Leilehua 65-6 on Friday night at Hugh Yoshida Stadium.
For McKay and the Trojans from Winnipeg, Manitoba, their trip to Hawaii, including the huge loss, was a positive learning experience.
"We were humbled at Pearl Harbor. We practiced on the beach at Waikiki and in the shadow of Diamond Head," he said. "All you can do is schedule and play the best competition you can and hope to get better. Leilehua has a great tradition and great discipline, and this was a great learning experience that can only heighten your program."
It was the season opener for Vincent Massey, and it looked like it.
The Mules (3-0), ranked sixth in the Star-Advertiser Top 10, scored in a variety of fashions, and the onslaught started early as the Mules grabbed a 52-6 halftime lead and never let up.
On the Trojans’ punt attempt on the first series of the game, Leilehua’s Bryan Quintero raced in, grabbed the ball off the punting toe of Tanner Williams and returned it 27 yards for a TD.
It was a night of luxury for the Mules in the quarterback department. Senior transfer and usual starter Mack Eberhardt gave way to Justin Jenks, a starter at quarterback last season, and Jenks showed he can move the Mules with ease, too.
In the first half, Jenks went 5-for-7 for two long touchdowns — to Lauriano Lucas and Austin Molina.
The Mules also got big first-half touchdown plays from Ikaika Piceno, who rumbled up the middle for an 80-yard score, and Tristin Kamaka, who weaved his way for a 56-yard punt return. Leilehua was also the recipient of a 2-point gift, when Williams, the punter, took a knee in the end zone for a safety.
Eberhardt, who connected with Piceno on a dump pass for a 79-yard TD in the first half, saw considerable action in the second half. After some drops and high throws, he settled down and led the Mules on a 78-yard drive, capped off with his 2-yard toss to Dustin Ancheta-Maeda late in the game.
"It was a blessing for teams from two different worlds who can get together and become brothers in a game they all love," Leilehua coach Nolan Tokuda said. "They’re forming friendships and memories that will last a lifetime."
Kellen Pooles turned in a big game for the visitors, with seven catches for 79 yards from quarterbacks Josh Martin and Sam Blakely.
At Leilehua
| VM (0-1) |
0 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
— |
6 |
| Leilehua (3-0) |
22 |
30 |
7 |
6 |
— |
65 |
Lei–Bryan Quintero 27 blocked punt recovery return (John Enos kick)
Lei–Ikaika Piceno 79 pass from Mack Eberhardt (Enos kick)
Lei–Lauriano Lucas 27 pass from Justin Jenks (Lucas pass from Tristin Kamaka)
Lei–Piceno 80 run (Enos kick)
Lei–Kamaka 56 punt return (Enos kick)
Lei–Safety, Vicent Massey punter Tanner Williams took a knee in end zone.
Lei–Austin Molina 37 pass from Jenks (Enos kick)
VM–Kellen Pooles 14 pass from Josh Martin (kick failed)
Lei–Randy Neverson 27 run (Enos kick)
Lei–Dustin Ancheta-Maeda 2 pass from Eberhardt (Enos kick)
Lei–Ajay Ramos 1 run (kick failed)
RUSHING–Vincent Massey: Tinaye Muza 10-29, Sam Blakely 1-21, Christian Madrid 5-19, Reid Abbott 2-18, Matt Bouch 4-0. Leilehua: Piceno 1-80, Quintero 1-33, Neverson 1-27, Austinn Nagao 2-26, Kendrick Nunes 2-20, Lecory Wynn 2-16, Kahi Kilaulani 2-12, Ramos 3-9, Devin Gray 2-8, Mark Ferido 2-7, Jensen Cassium 2-5, Jenks 4-(minus-7).
PASSING–Vincent Massey: Martin 10-24-0–87, Blakely 3-4-0–22. Leilehua: Jenks 7-11-0–161, Eberhardt 11-23-1–183.
RECEIVING–Vincent Massey: Pooles 7-79, Blakely 4-17, Muza 1-8, Connor Peltz 1-5. Leilehua: Ancheta-Maeda 5-68, Lucas 4-59, Nagao 3-61, Piceno 1-79, Molina 1-37, Mike Chapman 1-12, Quintero 1-10 , Tom Savea 1-8, Kamaka 1-0.
