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Trojans’ Matchup With Kapolei To Decide Playoff Slot

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If the Mililani football program should ever need a lobbyist, Kapolei coach Darren Hernandez has all the credentials to take on the assignment. The leader of the Hurricane Nation is quick to point out that his team owns an 0-4 all-time record versus the Trojans.

“Mililani was written off by some maybe after beginning 0-3, but they’re a real solid program, and as a senior-night game, it will be a big deal here for us,” said Hernandez, whose team hosts Mililani in a key OIA Red West game at 7 p.m. Friday.

While the game won’t decide the West title - both schools have lost to league front-runner Leilehua - the encounter should go a long way in bringing the league’s playoff picture into focus. Incentive is much in the air for both programs. Mililani was expected to beat last-place Nanakuli last weekend, enabling the Trojans to take a 3-1 record into their game with the Hurricanes, while Kapolei had a 2-2 mark heading into their own game with Pearl City.

“The Mililani game is absolutely huge in terms of seeding,” said Hernandez.“A lot depends on what happens. Leilehua looks strong right now, and Waianae looks like the second-best team in the West. Positions three, four and five may be up to Waipahu, Mililani and Kapolei.”

Their growing rivalry aside, both Mililani and Kapolei are well-aware of what it means to be playing your best football at the end of the season. OIA schools need only look at Leilehua as an example. The Mules were close to missing the playoffs last fall only to regroup to win both the OIA and state championship game.

“It’s a new season in the playoffs,” Hernandez said. “Leilehua squeezed in as a last seed last year before making their run, and hopefully we can be that type of team. I talked to our kids about the New York Giants, too. They sneaked into the (NFL) playoffs and ran the table. If we can get in from a tough league, we can turn it around in the playoffs.”

For its part, Mililani didn’t have to wait until conference play to see the best the Island has to offer, having endured the state’s toughest schedule, which included games with Castle, Saint Louis, Leilehua and Waipahu in succession over the first four weeks. Another tough task faces the Trojans this week with their trip to Kapolei. While Hernandez concedes his Hurricanes “haven’t had the season we had hoped for,” Kapolei’s personnel should more than ensure a physical battle.

Leading the way for the Hurricanes are a trio of stellar twoway linemen in Stan Hasiak, Chad Lopati and Luke Spencer. Both Lopati and Spencer were sidelined for a total of five games between them earlier in the season, but they have since returned to the lineup and have had a big impact recently.

“Luke was tremendous against Waipahu - he was unblockable at times and had 10 tackles, four of them for loss,” Hernandez said of Spencer.“Chad is so versatile we moved him back to outside line-backer, where he’d played as a sophomore, and teams are trying to run away from him. We’re a hard-hitting unit on defense, and hopefully we’re finding our stride. Holding Waipahu scoreless for the last two quarters and overtime was quite an achievement. Waipahu’s a very physical team.”

Linebacker Cyril Ontai II remains defensive leader and is having a senior season to remember, most recently collecting 10 solo tackles in the win over Waipahu. Offensively, he rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown on 13 attempts from his fullback position.

“He was the catalyst against Waipahu,” Hernandez said.

Like most teams that face Mililani, wide receiver and all-around specialist Taz Stevenson is much on the minds of Kapolei.

“On special teams, not kicking it to him would be part of the game plan,” Hernandez said. “They move him around so much it’s difficult to put one player on him. They have him at wide receiver, slot back, running back . . . he can do so many things. He creates matchup problems for any team.”

The Mililani offense, which is averaging 310 yards a game, also features running back Kahi Perbera (5.4 yards per carry) and quarterback Iosua Manuma.

Also among the Hurricanes’ points of emphasis for Friday night’s game with Mililani is to win the special teams battle, according to Hernandez.“We have to be real solid in the kicking game. Mililani always has a great kicker and punter and return game, so if we can solidify that part of the game, it will help. Special teams plays have doomed us in the games that we lost.”