Mililani’s game-by-game approach helped the Trojans extend their season into the state tournament’s final week for a second straight year.
Defense gave Mililani another shot at a title as the Trojans survived a 17-14 duel with Farrington on Saturday at Aloha Stadium to return to Friday’s Division I final of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA State Football Championships.
"It’s been on the back burner, honestly," Mililani defensive lineman Rex Manu said. "I think we’ve been taking it one game at a time and ultimately it led us to this point."
The Trojans scored on their first possession of the game and took a 14-0 lead, providing a cushion for a Mililani defense that recorded five sacks, two by Manu, among its seven tackles for loss. The Trojans recovered a pivotal fumble deep in their territory in the first quarter and maintained enough separation to fend off the Governors, who fell in the semifinals for the third consecutive year and the sixth time overall.
It wasn’t all that pretty, but the Trojans will take it.
"We’re happy to get the win and we’re moving on," Mililani coach Rod York said. "Name of the game.
"Defense stepped up, we played great special teams and the offense did enough to get the win."
Running backs Cheyne Constantino and Vavae Malepeai rushed for the Trojans’ first two scores and Mililani quarterback McKenzie Milton completed 20 of 27 pass attempts for 280 yards as the Trojans overcame 12 penalties for 132 yards in the win.
"We’re definitely stoked, but we gotta get a lot better going into next week," Milton said. "Fine-tuning the little things, penalties, turnovers, we have to fix that."
Jeron Cunningham’s 24-yard field goal on Mililani’s opening possession of the second half proved to be the difference against a Farrington team that kept the Trojans within sight throughout the game.
Montana Liana threw for 185 yards and two scores, cutting into Mililani’s lead with a 14-yard TD pass to CJ Liana in the second quarter and bringing the Governors to within three with a 60-yard strike to Ranan Mamiya with 1:05 left in the game.
But Mililani recovered a contentious onside kick attempt, and managed to run out the clock on a game far tighter than the Trojans’ 41-14 regular-season win over the Governors on Sept. 27.
"I’m proud of these guys defensively, because, what an improvement," Farrington coach Randall Okimoto said. "We were stricken with injuries and even the subs stepped up."
After Mililani took the earl 7-0 lead on Constantino’s 10-yard touchdown run, Farrington responded by driving to the Mililani 11. On second down, Liana faked a handoff to Mamiya, drawing the pursuit to the right, kept the ball and headed to the end zone. He was hit inside the 5, lost the ball and the Trojans recovered at their 3.
"That was huge, turnovers are key," York said. "Excellent on (defensive back) Tielu Mamea’s part. He stayed home and made a play, because I was faked out, too."
Mililani added to the lead on Malepeai’s 6-yard touchdown run, but Mamiya sparked the Governors with a 72-yard kickoff return to the Mililani 25 and the Governors scored four plays later on Montana Liana’s first touchdown pass.
After Cunningham’s field goal, the Trojans kept the Governors out of the end zone until the late strike to Mamiya, who injured his knee last week against Maui, added to the drama.
Mililani recovered the onside kick, and a scuffle ensued. After a lengthy discussion among the officials, it was announced that players from both teams were ejected for leaving the bench area. But York said after the game that the players ultimately weren’t ejected and should be eligible for the championship game.
"Of course there’s going to be some nerves. It’s a championship game. But it’s going to be a lot of fun for sure," Milton said. "We’re going to embrace the opportunity and I’m super excited."
At Aloha Stadium
| FARRINGTON (9-3) |
0 |
7 |
0 |
7 |
— |
14 |
| MILILANI (12-0) |
7 |
7 |
3 |
0 |
— |
17 |
Mil—Cheyne Constantino 10 run (Jeron Cunningham kick)
Mil—Vavae Malepeai 6 run (Cunningham kick)
Far—CJ Liana 14 pass from Montana Liana (Kekoa Sasaoka kick)
Mil—FG Cunningham 24
Far—Ranan Mamiya 60 yd TD pass from Montana Liana (Sasaoka kick)
RUSHING—Farrington: Challen Faamatau 16-68, Ranan Mamiya 10-41, M. Liana 11-(-9), Freedom Alualu 1-1. Mililani: Malepeai 18-65, Constantino 2-9, Milton 9-(-24), Team 2-(7).
PASSING—Farrington: M. Liana 15-23-0-185. Mililani: Milton 20-27-0-280.
RECEIVING—Farrington: C. Liana 4-31, Kaohu Kealoha 4-41, Faamatau 3-35, Mamiya 2-66, Derrick Chaffin 2-21. Mililani: Kalakaua Timoteo 9-100, Bryson Ventura 4-23, Bronson Ramos 3-93, Kainoa Wilson 2-39, Malepeai 1-15, Joshua Butac 1-10.
