Special teams jumpstarted Trojans' win over Leilehua

Sylvia Lee | SL

As any football coach will tell you, there are three phases of the game that you have to win.

The Mililani special teams unit did its part in the Trojans' 52-35 win over Leilehua Friday night at Hugh Yoshida Stadium to help Mililani clinch a state berth and a first round bye in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I playoffs.

Andrew Valladares had 98 total return yards and recovered an onside kick while kicker Damien Santiago booted a 37-yard field goal and was a perfect on seven PAT attempts.

Valladares, who also caught five passes for a game-high 91 yards, said the win over the Mules was a big improvement from the team's 34-28 loss to Kailua a week ago.

"Last week we kind of had a hard time," he said. "With special teams this week, we just had to step up and finish it and do it. Last week's loss wasn't acceptable to us so we had a lot of stuff to work on."

The 6-foot, 180-pound senior had a 59-yard punt return to set up the Trojans' first score of the game. Valladares field a Akoni Makui punt at the Mililani 17-yard line and made a couple of moves before breaking for the left sideline to take the ball down to Leilehua's 24-yard line. Mililani needed just six plays to capitalize on the field position, scoring on a Dillon Gabriel 1-yard run to take a 7-0 lead.

"I just saw an opportunity to hit the hole hard and trust in my teammates' blocking. Without them there's nothing," said Valladares.

Valladares also had a 20-yard kickoff return on the Trojans' next drive, which gave Mililani possession at its own 40-yard line. Mililani drove 60 yards in six plays to take a 14-7 lead heading into the second quarter.

A turnover on downs by the Leilehua offense set up the Trojans' next score. After Mililani went up 21-7 midway through the second period, the Trojans went for a short kick on the ensuing kickoff. Santiago's kick traveled 21 yards and Valladares was able to recover it at the Leilehua 39-yard line.

"I just had an opportunity to use my speed and go for the ball, even if it's going to be painful," said Valladares.

The onside recovery led to Santiago's 37-yard field goal, which gave the Trojans a 24-7 lead with 5:21 left in the first half. Santiago's field goal was part of a big second quarter for Mililani, as it outscored Leilehua 17-0 in the frame to take a 24-point lead at the break.

Santiago, a 5-foot-8, 140-pound junior, has kicked four field goals and has never missed on 31 PAT attempts through seven games.

"He's a hard worker," Valladares said of Santiago. "Everyday, even when he's injured, he just comes out and works hard. Even when he thinks he can't do it, he just motivates himself everyday and says he can do it."

The Trojans will host the winner between Waianae and Kailua in the OIA Division I quarterfinals.

Reach Michael Lasquero at [email protected].