The forecast claimed a zero percent chance of rain for Leilehua’s homecoming on Friday night.
The downpours came and went, three times in the first half, but couldn’t keep up with the mighty Mules’ offense. The home team rang up 34 points before halftime en route to a 41-0 win over Aiea before a spirited audience. No. 10-ranked Leilehua improved to 4-1 (3-1 OIA Division I). Aiea slipped to 1-4 (1-2).
Coming off a close loss to Moanalua, the Mules limited Na Alii to 126 yards of total offense.
“The defense did their job. Our coaches busted their butts. After a loss, you always look at what you can do better,” Mules coach Mark Kurisu said. “We were able to run the ball. That really helped us. That takes pressure off our quarterback.”
>> Click here to see photos of the game between Aiea and Leilehua.
The Mules got 69 yards on 11 carries from Damarion Smith, and recent JV call-up Jamill Vereen rushed for 90 yards on seven carries, including a 45-yard pickup that he nearly scored on.
“Those two guys, the combination, they each have their own gifts. They showed it tonight. You’ve got to give credit to the big boys up front,” Kurisu said. “Nothing fancy, not overthinking it.”
Leilehua rushed for 238 yards on 30 carries in a game that went to the mercy-rule running clock early in the third quarter.
Leilehua’s stingy defense limited Aiea to 90 yards of total offense in the first half, and Ethan Kuth sparked momentum with a 62-yard punt return. Senior quarterback Kekoa Turnagan spiraled a 15-yard TD pass to Konapiliahi Raymond and a 27-yard bomb to Kalei Akagi.
Turnagan also scored on a 2-yard keeper as the home team opened a big lead by intermission.
The Mules’ ground game was deep and effective.
Smith and Vereen combined for 16 carries and 161 yards by the break. Vereen did not play in the second half as Kawela Kaluhiokalani (34 yards, six carries) carried the load off the bench.
Kurisu credited the front seven and the O-line. Next week, it’s a big matchup with Damien.
“It’s our last home game. It’ll be a fun game, but we always put things in perspective. We’d like to take care of business, but we always have to take care of our conference, the OIA,” he said.
Since losing to Aiea in 2012, Leilehua has won the last four matchups, scoring at least 40 points each time.
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OIA-ILH DIVISION I
No. 10 Leilehua 41, Aiea 0
At Leilehua
>> Aiea (1-4, 1-2) 0 0 0 0 — 0
>> Leilehua (4-1, 3-1) 14 20 7 0 — 41
Leilehua — Ethan Kuth 62 punt return (Konapiliahi Raymond kick)
Leilehua — Raymond 15 pass from Kekoa Turnagan (Raymond kick)
Leilehua — Kalei Akagi 39 run (Raymond kick)
Leilehua — Turnagan 2 run (Raymond kick)
Leilehua — Akagi 27 pass from Turnagan (run failed)
Leilehua — Jayzon Ramos 11 pass from Turnagan (Raymond kick)
RUSHING — Aiea: Javon Miller 12-50, Kayson Castillo 4-19, Dylan Soberano 1-1, Jordan Cezar 3-(minus-2). Leilehua: Jamill Vereen 7-90, Damarion Smith 11-69, Akagi 2-38, Kawela Kaluhiokalani 6-34, Ramos 1-6, Turnagan 1-2, Seth Swoveland 2-(minus-1).
PASSING — Aiea: Castillo 5-13-0-21, Soberano 1-1-0-31, Cezar 1-4-0-6. Leilehua: Turnagan 13-18-0-208, Swoveland 3-5-0-13.
RECEIVING — Aiea: Josh Canosa 3-35, Soberano 2-14, Cezar 1-11, Marino Soranaka 1-(minus-2). Leilehua: Akagi 5-65, Ramos 3-61, Raymond 3-41, Benjamin Lockman 2-14, Landon Jumawon 1-30, Kaluhiokalani 1-5, Swoveland 1-5.
* Junior varsity — Leilehua 30, Aiea 14
