Veteran Central Teams Ready For Post-season Action
By Jack Danilewicz
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Should the Leilehua and Mililani football teams go deep into the post-season in the coming weeks, they’ll likely look back at the ultra-competitive season they endured in the OIA Red West as a huge contributing factor.
In fact, both teams have been in pressure-packed games since mid-August when they battled defending DII state champion Iolani and Saint Louis among other schools in non-league play. The stakes are even higher now with the OIA playoffs set to begin this weekend. Pairings for the OIA’s post-season were to be finalized over the weekend. A “two-minute drill” follows on each team as they begin the 2008 post-season.
Leilehua High Mules
The Resume: The Mules entered last Friday night’s OIA Red West finale versus Waipahu with a 4-1 league record (tied for first with Waianae). Leilehua is 6-1 overall.
Signature wins: Over Mililani (24-13 on Aug. 30) and Kapolei (21-7 on Sept. 12). The Mules also defeated Division II state champion Iolani (33-14) on Aug. 22.
Breaking down the Mules: As expected, the defending state champion Mules received every opponent’s best effort this year en route to a 4-1 record, heading into the final week of the regular season. A 26-21 setback to Waianae remains the only blemish on an otherwise perfect resume. As Leilehua begins post-season, the experience of running the table last year can only figure big amid what promises to be a balanced playoff field. As in past years, the Mules’ hopes begin on defense, where they are giving up an average of only 14.2 points per game. That is second only to fellow Red West qualifier Mililani, which led the West in scoring defense (12.3), heading into last weekend.
Highlighting the group are senior returnees Jayden Cuesta, Sione Sami and Bradley Iaulualo. Offensively, the Mules have been the most productive unit in the West, tallying 28.4 points per game. Quarterback Andrew Manley has put together a stellar season to date with a state-best 1,697 passing yards entering last weekend. He also has thrown for 12 touchdowns with six interceptions. Wide receivers Rico Newman and Edieson Dumlao remain as advertised - as two of the best in the state at their position - and are Manley’s favorite targets. Leilehua also is hoping to get a big lift from its special teams, especially in the kicking game, where place-kicker Maika Kunioka and punter Rico Newman have excelled so far. Kunioka had converted on 23 point-after kicks and three field goals, with a long of 31 yards, to lead the state in scoring among specialists entering last weekend.
Players to watch: Newman and Dumlao. Newman has 11 touch-downs overall, and three of his 29 pass receptions have gone for scores. Dumlao is averaging 13.6 yards per reception and has a team-leading 33 catches to go with four touchdowns.
Make plans for the First Hawaiian Bank State Football Tournament if the Mules win the turnover battle and continue to excel on special teams.
Mililani High Trojans
The Resume: The Trojans entered last weekend’s OIA Red West finale against Waianae with a 3-2 record (3-4 overall) in league play.
Signature wins: Over Waipahu (20-7 on Sept. 6) and Pearl City (24-6 on Sept. 13).
Breaking down the Trojans: Although known for its offense in some years, Mililani’s 2008 edition has had a solid season on the defensive side as the Trojans enter the playoffs having yielded a league-best 12.3 points per game through their first five conference outings. Defensive end Veni Manu, who committed to the University of Hawaii in August, is a big reason why. The 6-foot-4, 227-pound senior anchors the lineup front and is the No. 11 rated college prospect in the state according to the recruiting service Rivals.com. Middle linebacker Sterling Cossey also has been solid as expected, earning the label “the heart and soul of our defense,” from coach Darnell Arceneaux when Mililani was coming out of its spring practices last June.
Offensively, Mililani has one of the state’s most exciting players in running back/return specialist Taz Stevenson, who has logged most of the team’s carries in recent weeks. He scored both of Mililani’s touchdowns in its overtime loss to Kapolei Oct. 3.Trojan quarterback Iosua Manuma has shown the ability to get the ball to a variety of receivers, having connected with seven different players - Stevenson (5-68), Sean Lai (2-15), Westin Alcover (2-15), Lee (1-11), Mopas (1-9), Geoffrey Badua (1-7) - in the loss to Kapolei.
Player to watch: Stevenson, who remains a threat to score every time he touches the ball, as evidenced by his dazzling 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Castle in Week One.
Make plans for the state football tournament if the Trojan defense continues to play well. Mililani had given up just 63 points through its first five league games, an average of 12.3 per outing, which is best in the West. If the unit maintains its level of play, the Trojan offense is good enough to provide the scoring needed.
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