Mahalo for supporting Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Enjoy this free story!
Coach Rod York refers to this as a basic run-option play, but there’s more to it than that.
With defenses focused on Mililani’s bludgeoning ground attack and a constant threat of deep aerial strikes, York found ways to tap into areas of the field that were more accessible. One way is this play, a simple, efficient quick-trigger release by sophomore QB McKenzie Milton (13).
The play can go to either side. Go right and No. 9, Kainoa Wilson, is ready. To the left, Bronsen Ader. Both slots have the prerequisites to make this seemingly harmless play become a big yards-after-catch tool.
It begins with sophomore RB Vavae Malepeai, a one-cut and blast ballcarrier. Because Malepeai has been so effective going north-south out of Mililani’s four-wide sets (or any other set, to be sure), defenses don’t have much time to make decisions. Milton can hand the ball to Malepeai up the middle for a big gain between the tackles. Or he can tuck it and deliver a quick dart to Ader or Wilson.
In this case, he goes left to Ader, who gets a bit of a block from teammate Kalakaua Timoteo (81). Campbell wasn’t exactly surprised. A linebacker penetrates and stands in the path of Milton’s attempt, but the savvy passer lofts the ball just high enough to avoid a deflection. The ball arrives to Ader in stride and he picks up 5 yards.
It’s the kind of play, in the game plan of many defensive units, that is preferable to a deep completion, or a huge Malepeai gain, or even a long scramble by the elusive Milton. As defenses sit in zone coverage, as Campbell did in this instance, York and the Trojans are happy to take the low-risk 5.
If the play seems familiar, it’s not much different from what Kamehameha used in 2009 with T.C. Campbell at the controls. His consistent, quick-decision execution was vital to the Warriors’ progress as Campbell mastered the system in the second half of the season. Kamehameha won the state title with a 34-21 win over Kahuku.
88
