Rod York likes his music. When he feels it, York likes to dance, too.

This is not the time to dance. The defending state champions have their hard hats on and the early preseason results are impressive: 47 points against Leilehua and 44 on Kahuku in game-format scrimmages.

That includes 41 in the first half against the Mules and 30 before intermission against the Red Raiders.

Well before any scrimmages or even a practice in full pads, media selected Mililani No. 1 in the Star-Advertiser Preseason Top 10.

“We’re honored but at the same time it’s the beginning of the year and that’s why we play the games,” York said. “A lot of teams disrespect you with the rankings or overrate you. We know what it’s like to be on the bottom and that’s the way we train. We will enjoy it. Our team earned it and they’ll enjoy it, but at practice we don’t talk about it.”

The Trojans have a play-making quarterback like few others in returning all-state offensive player of the year McKenzie Milton.

Kahuku had the shifty senior engulfed on a number of plays during Friday’s scrimmage. Milton simply used apparent superpowers to escape and deliver passes for huge gains. And touchdowns.

It was almost as if Milton had baited defenders each time. He almost never lost his vision downfield. York has given Milton play-calling freedom.

“It’s just a matter of everybody believing in the scheme and trusting in what we do. We miss one block and everything goes haywire,” York said. “McKenzie loves running the ball whether it be scrambling or the zone read. He’s the CEO of the company and he has to make sure he’s rewarding the employees. You see him scrambling, but he’ll stop and pop it.”

This early preseason dominance has been without all-state RB Vavae Malepeai, who is healing from an injury. The 6-foot, 200-pound Oregon commit has rushed for 2,619 yards and 43 TDs in 24 games.

Andru Tovi is the lone returning starter on the O-line. All-state WR Kalakaua Timoteo, who caught four TD passes in the 53-45 state final win over Punahou, is back. So is WR Bryson Ventura and newcomer Ricardo Salas III, a transfer from Saint Louis.

Despite the graduation of key players like all-state defensive player of the year Rex Manu, there is a formidable nucleus.

Kahewai Ka’aiawa’awa, Elias Pritchard, Kingston Maae and Savion Fonoti anchor the defensive front. They may benefit from the sonic-speed pass rush of DE Kaimana Padello

“We get the one-on-one matchups if they try to double Mana. Tyrell (Niuatoa) got two sacks in the scrimmage because protection slid the other way. Someone’s got to step up. We’ve got four big boys on the inside.”

Last week’s action gave Mililani’s defense much to work on.

“We just have to be more sound, be smarter, more disciplined, tackle better. We missed a few tackles and guys running 30, 40 yards,” York noted. “We’ll see in the next week.”

Mililani hosts Saint Louis in a scrimmage 7 p.m. on Saturday.