When the load gets heavier, Vavae Malepeai gets stronger.
The junior rushed for 199 yards and four touchdowns as No. 2 Mililani overwhelmed No. 3 Farrington 41-14 on Saturday night before a homecoming audience at John Kauinana Stadium.
The Trojans improved to 6-0 in OIA Blue play (7-0 overall) and secured sole possession of first place in the division. Farrington dropped to 5-1.
"They gave us the run and the edges, so we ran it and popped to the edges," Mililani coach Rod York said. "Our guys executed and stuck with the game plan. I’m proud of them."
The Trojans were meticulously explosive, racking up 580 total yards of offense. McKenzie Milton threw for 278 yards (22-for-26) and one touchdown with no interceptions.
"You saw Vae, he went off today. Our O-line did a great job blocking. It was just a good overall win today," Milton said. "We ran a lot of play-action bubbles, and Bryson (Ventura) and Makana (Tauai) had a lot of yards after catch. Farrington’s a bunch of big guys, but we think we have the best O-line in the state."
Going at warp speed with its hurry-up offense, Mililani was relentless. Malepeai was especially thunderous in the third quarter, ripping big gains against a tiring Govs defense for 90 yards on eight carries before taking a seat on the bench.
"When in doubt, feed Malepeai. That’s what I always say. The most humble kid in the world," Milton said. "We kept pounding and our O-line wore them out. I think that was our best game so far this year."
Farrington coach Randall Okimoto wasn’t surprised by Mililani’s efficiency.
"They won the one-on-one matchups. They’re a powerful, well-oiled machine. Milton and a great cast, the numbers speak for themselves," he said. "If we don’t have those mistakes in the first half (two fumbles), it could’ve been 34-34 or 34-28 at halftime."
Instead it was 34-14.
The half ended with controversy.
Farrington quarterback Montana Liana threw a deep pass that was picked off by Ramsey Tacadena, who in turn was hit late by Liana while lying on the field on the final play of the half.
Liana was ejected from the game by officials, but he didn’t think it was a late hit.
"The guy made the interception and I wanted to finish the play. He used his hand to keep his balance," Liana said.
Tacadena may have suffered a dislocated elbow, York said.
By rule, Liana’s ejection comes with a one-game supension, but Okimoto holds out hope he hasn’t lost his signal-caller for a big matchup against 5-1 Campbell next weekend.
"I didn’t see it, but I’ll watch the film," Okimoto said. "If it’s not flagrant, hopefully it’ll be overturned."
Mililani added a final touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter, a 3-yard run off right tackle by Malepeai. It was his 22nd and final carry of the game.
Mililani has won five of the last six matchups with Farrington.
At John Kauinana Stadium
| FARRINGTON (5-1, 5-1) |
7 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
— |
14 |
| MILILANI (7-0, 6-0) |
20 |
14 |
0 |
7 |
— |
41 |
Mil—Kalakaua Timoteo 42 pass from McKenzie Milton (kick blocked)
Farr—Ranan Mamiya 80 pass from Montana Liana (Kekoa Sasaoka kick)
Mil—Vavae Malepeai 41 run (Jerrod Cunningham kick)
Mil—Malepeai 9 run (Cunningham kick)
Farr—Challen Faamatau 3 run (Sasaoka kick)
Mil—Malepeai 40 run (Cunningham kick)
Mil—Malepeai 8 run (Cunningham kick)
Mil—Malepeai 3 run (Cunningham kick)
RUSHING—Farrington: Mamiya 12-93, Faamatau 6-49, Freedom Alualu 5-28, Jathen Chaffin 1-3, Joziah Anakalea 1-(minus 7), Liana 1-(minus 7), Team 2-(minus 38). Mililani: Malepeai 22-199, Milton 9-111, Cheyne Constantino 5-20, Bryson Ventura 2-(minus 28).
PASSING—Farrington: Liana 8-12-1-188, Anakalea 4-8-0-0. Mililani: Milton 22-26-0-278.
RECEIVING—Farrington: C.J. Liana 5-46, Mamiya 2-81, Kingston Moses-Sanchez 2-55, Faamatau 2-3, Bugsy Tui 1-3. Mililani: Ventura 7-120, Bronson Ramos 4-43, Timoteo 3-60, Joshua Butac 3-21, Constantino 2-18, Makana Tauai 2-14, Chad Senas 1-2.
Junior varsity—Farrington 34, Mililani 21
