Jenks sparks Leilehua rout of Waipahu, 66-14

Leilehua QB Justin Jenks was 12-for-16 passing for 172 yards and three touchdowns in relief of injured starter Mack Eberhardt. Eugene Tanner | SL

WAIPAHU – Justin Jenks got just his second start of the season and did not disappoint. The senior signal-caller dazzled Friday night to help the Mules spoil the Marauders’ homecoming, 66-14.

Jenks started at quarterback in place of the injured Mack Eberhardt who suffered a finger injury in a loss to Mililani the previous week. Jenks went 12-for-16 passing for 172 yards and three touchdowns in Eberhardt’s stead.

“It was great out there,” said Jenks. “Mack (Eberhardt) right now is hurt, but he’s a really great QB. All I had to do was to try and lead our team and basically get the balls into our playmakers; it was just a really good game.”

The Leilehua victory improves the Mules’ record to 5-3 overall and 3-3 in the Red West. That 3-3 division record earns them the fifth seed out of the West meaning that they will play Moanalua, the fourth seed out of the East, next week in the first round of the OIA Red playoffs. Waipahu drops to 2-6 and 1-5 on the year, and will meet up with Red East third seed McKinley next week.

The Mules dominated in all facets of the game and cruised to an easy victory. Ikaika Piceno returned a kickoff for a score while Tristan Kamaka and Devin Gray each accounted for a defensive score. Leilehua even managed to score a safety when they forced the Marauders to fall on a loose ball in their end zone.

“Total team effort,” said Leilehua coach Nolan Tokuda. “It’s nice to see our coaches (come) together and put a nice game plan. All the players executed (their assignments) and trusted (in) us. It was just an opportunity to get everyone in right before the playoffs; just real proud of our guys.”

Both teams traded on their first drives before the Mules started to light up the scoreboard. Randy Neverson’s 33-yard scamper around right end helped set up Jenks 9-yard touchdown pass to Piceno two plays later. John Enos’ PAT was good and Leilehua had an early 7-0 lead.

Kamaka intercepted Kai Mercado-Aiona on the Marauder’s next drive and took it 38 yards to the house. The Mules’ caught the Marauders’ special teams napping and holder Kalanimoku Pauole hooked up with Toma Savea in the corner of the end zone for two points. Piceno added a 5-yard touchdown run to cap the Mules’ scoring for the first quarter.

Jenks got his second touchdown of the night on a wide receiver screen pass to Dustin Ancheta-Maeda who danced around defenders for a 30-yard score. Enos’ kick was good and the visitors led 29-0, with eight minutes and ten seconds remaining in the first half.

Waipahu quickly answered with Mercado-Aiona’s 50-yard keeper on their next play from scrimmage. This helped set up his five yard touchdown run five plays later. Sword De Asis’ PAT was good and the Marauders were finally on the scoreboard.

Momentum appeared to swing in the Marauders favor but Piceno returned the ensuing kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown to put the Mules up by four scores. Waipahu could not answer on their next drive as they were forced to fall on a loose ball in their own end zone resulting in a safety for Leilehua.

The turnover helped set up Jenks’ final touchdown of the night which came on a 16-yard connection to Ancheta-Maeda. The Marauders turned it over on their next drive which led to Neverson’s two yard touchdown run with two minutes and thirty seconds to go in the first half. This capped the Mules scoring giving them a 52-7 lead at the break.

The Marauders added a fourth quarter touchdown pass from Gavin Marques to Tama Iosefa, but the Mules’ added two late scores of their own for the final score of 66-14.

“We told them use this game as momentum going into the playoffs,” said Tokuda regarding the postseason. “Enjoy the moment and the guy next to you. If you love the guy next to you, then you’ll continue to play well and execute so you can have more weeks together.”

Reach Michael Lasquero at [email protected].