On a night when the potent Mililani offense mustered just 128 total yards, it was defense and special teams that made the mission possible.
Brendyn Agbayani fired two touchdown passes and No. 3 Mililani limited No. 4 Kahuku to 93 total yards in a 32-0 win on Friday night at John Kauinana Stadium.
It was a game that also had three field goals by Mililani’s first-year starter, Kaulana Navares.
Kahuku linebacker Alan Talanoa suffered an injury with less than three minutes left in the second quarter. He was taken by ambulance to a hospital. Coach Sterling Carvalho said Talanoa was moving and the trip to the hospital was precautionary.
The game also involved the ejection of three Kahuku players following a turnover on the first series of the second half. Carvalho said one of the players was not on the field and the team will appeal. Ejected players face the possibility of an automatic one-game suspension.
“We call it controlled chaos,” said linebacker Mark Pasternak, who recovered a fumble caused by teammate Wynden Hoohuli on the play that led to the ejections.
“Our goal was to not let Kahuku run the ball. For the most part, our guys were able to get it done,” Trojans coach Rod York said.
Kahuku tried mightily, but mustered just 27 rushing yards on 28 attempts.
“We’ve got to get better. We’ll evaluate what we did wrong. We’ve got a lot of football ahead,” Carvalho said. “Our goal is to peak at the right time.”
After going three-and-out to begin the game, Mililani’s defense sent Kahuku backward on three consecutive plays. Sonny Semeatu sacked quarterback Mana Fonoimoana-Vaomu in the end zone for a safety and a 2-0 lead.
Kanoa Gibson’s 41-yard return on the ensuing free kick set up the Trojans at the Kahuku 30. Agbayani launched a 31-yard touchdown strike to Mystik Sampaga on a post route, and they led 9-0 with 7:09 to go in the opening quarter.
Mililani made breaks happen on special teams. After Micah Kim forced a fumble by a Kahuku punt returner, the ball caromed into the end zone, where Kiai Ramos recovered for another Mililani touchdown with 3:33 to go in the opening quarter.
Navares’ first field goal, a 30-yarder, made it 19-0 with 4:57 to go in the first half.
Kahuku gained some momentum with a quick-strike series to open the second half. However, Hoohuli sacked quarterback Tiger Adolpho, who fumbled. Pasternak recovered for Mililani at the Trojans’ 44, and after a big pile-up and fracas, three Red Raiders were ejected. Two personal fouls on Kahuku during the play moved the ball to the 14.
On the next play, Agbayani lofted a sideline pass to Malosi Sam, who dove over the left pylon for a 14-yard TD. The Trojans led 26-0 with 8:28 to go in the third quarter.
Navares tacked on field goals of 35 and 38 yards in the final period.
Kahuku’s’ defense was solid, allowing just 128 total yards. Sam, who barreled Campbell for 259 yards and three TDs on 43 carries last week, had a modest 18 yards on eight carries in the first half. He did not carry the ball after halftime.
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No. 3 Mililani 32, No. 4 Kahuku 0
At John Kauinana Stadium
>> Kahuku (1-1, 0-1) 0 0 0 0 — 0
>> Mililani (2-0, 2-0) 16 3 7 6 — 32
Mililani — Safety, Sonny Semeatu sacks Mana Fonoimoana-Vaomu in end zone
Mililani — Mystik Sampaga 31 pass from Brendyn Agbayani (Kaulana Navares kick)
Mililani — Kiai Ramos fumble recovery in end zone
Mililani — Navares FG 30
Mililani — Sam 14 pass from Agbayani (Navares kick)
Mililani — Navares FG 35
Mililani — Navares FG 38
RUSHING — Kahuku: Zealand Matagi 8-29, Mana Fonoimoana-Vaomu 7-9, Jason Mariteragi 1-6 Lailo Kaluna 4-2, Jack Tito 3-1, Tiger Adolpho 5-(minus 20). Mililani: Malosi Sam 8-18, Arona Sagapolutele 2-12, Josiah Alcover 5-1, Brendyn Agbayani 2-(minus 17).
PASSING — Kahuku: Tiger Adolpho 6-19-0–59, Jason Mariteragi 2-3-0–13, Fonoimoana-Vaomu 1-1-0–(minus 6). Mililani: Agbayani 16-26-1–119, Sagapolutele 1-3-0–0.
RECEIVING – Kahuku: Cole Pruett 3-42, Micah Carvalho 1-16, Elias Matagi-Magalei 1-10, Matagi 1-5, Kaluna 1-3, Kaonohi Kaniho 1-(minus 4), Kade Nakaahiki-Bourgeois 1-(minus 6). Mililani: Mystik Sampaga 3-46, Sam 2-15, Kai Banks 2-14, Koa Kalama 2-13, Pono Hookano 2-10, Kanoa Gibson 2-4, Nik Geraci 1-7, Ransen Motoyama 1-5, Raysen Motoyama 1-5, Alcover 1-0.
* Junior varsity — Kahuku 6, Mililani 6
