Mililani outlasts Punahou, 53-45, to win its first state football title
Mililani's Kainoa Wilson pulled in a touchdown pass ahead of Punahou's Dayson Watanabe during the first half Friday night at Aloha Stadium.
Punahou's Wayne Taulapapa cut between Mililani's Savion Fonoti, 48, and Sergio Urena in the first half Friday at Aloha Stadium.
In one of the wildest games in state football history, the Mililani Trojans outlasted the Punahou Buffanblu, 53-45, to win the Division I state football championship before 19,254 fans at Aloha Stadium on Friday.
Punahou was going for a potential game-tying score but the Buffanblu running back, heading toward the goal line, had the ball ripped out of his arm. The ball rolled into the end zone and out of bounds, resulting in a touch back and giving the ball to Mililani.
The Trojans then ran out the clock, downing the ball with 0:00 inside their own 5-yard line.
Mililani’s McKenzie Milton passed for seven touchdowns, four of which went to receiver Kalakaua Timoteo. Both are state records. The overall state record for most touchdown passes in a game, including the regular season, is eight by Saint Louis’ Timmy Chang and P.J. Minaya of Pac-Five.
This is the first state title for Trojans, who led 46-31 at halftime, Punahou, which has won two state titles, was the defending champion, beating Mililani last year.
