Mililani Trojans In State Semi-final Football Game Saturday
In a sense, the Mililani football team’s 2014 season began the moment its 2013 season ended — when it was narrowly defeated by Punahou in the Division I state championship game last November.
The Trojans haven’t dropped a game since, and 11 wins later, they now find themselves one win away from playing for this year’s state title. Mililani meets either Kamehameha-Maui or Farrington at 4 p.m. Saturday in one of two semifinal games, with the winner moving on to the state championship game, which will be played Nov. 21 at Aloha Stadium. A look at the team’s prospects is below.
Mililani High Trojans
Record: 11-0 overall (7-0 in the OIA Blue Division)
Wins: Saint Louis 63-47 at home Aug. 16, Kailua 49-7 at home Aug. 23, Kapolei 41-14 on the road Aug. 30, Aiea 56-14 on the road Sept. 12, Campbell 57-28 on the road Sept. 19, Farrington 41-14 at home Sept. 27, Moanalua 48-26 at home Oct. 4, Kaiser 54-14 at home Oct. 1, Campbell 47-15 at Aloha Stadium Oct. 23, Kahuku 20-7 at Aloha Stadium Oct. 31
Signature wins: Saint Louis, Campbell, Farrington, Campbell, Kahuku
Losses: None
Trojans in the state tournament: This year will mark Mililani’s seventh appearance in the Division I state tournament since the HHSAA divided into two divisions in 2003. The Trojans own a 2-6 all-time record in the tourney with both wins coming under Rod York (2012 and 2013).
Did you know? Mililani entered last Friday’s OIA title game having won 33 of its last 38 games, dating back to the first week of its 2012 season.
Trojans at a glance: It all begins up front for the offense, led by senior leader and center Brett D’Amato and his offensive line mates: left tackle Antonio Ala, left guard Derrick Fetui-Suapaia, right guard Andru Tovi, and right tackle Jordan Agasiva. As the calendar turns to November, the Trojan line has been as cohesive and productive as any in the state and will be a huge factor in the state title quest.
Elsewhere on the offensive side of the ball, play-makers can be found at every position, led by Offensive Player of the Year candidate McKenzie Milton. A junior quarterback, Milton had thrown for 2,556 yards and 26 touchdowns (with just five interceptions)
as of last weekend. He also has run for 711 yards and 11 scores on the ground, making him the Trojans’ second-leading ground gainer behind running back Vavae Malepeai (1,126 yards, 6.7 yards per carry, 22 TDs).
Receivers Kalakaua
Timoteo, Bronson Ramos, Bryson Ventura and Kainoa Wilson have combined for 19 touchdown receptions among them. Wilson in particular has risen to the cause of late, with four of his six touchdown receptions in the last two games.
The Trojans are scoring 45 points per game to date and averaging 517 total yards per outing, including 289 passing and 228 on the ground.
Mililani entered spring football practice last May having to rebuild its defense to a large degree after graduating several starters from the unit, but you would never know it, given how well the team has played this season. The defense enters this week’s semifinal game having given up just 16.9 points per game through its first 11 contests this year. Highlighting the effort has been the run defense, which is yielding only 98 yards per game.
The defense has been especially stout coming out of half time, as Mililani has shut out its last five opponents in the third quarter. Indeed, you have to go back to week six against Campbell to find a game where the Trojans gave up a score in the third quarter.
jackster.1969@yahoo.com
