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Trojans' efficiency not limited to offense




Mililani's offense looked like a well-oiled machine in its 47-0 drubbing of visiting Leilehua Friday night.

The Trojans put up a balanced attack, rushing for 228 yards and passing for 271. They converted 24 first downs — 17 of them by rush — and came across just seven third downs all night.

Of their 10 offensive possessions, seven of them ended with touchdowns and two of them were abbreviated by the end of each half. The only other drive would have likely resulted in an eighth score if not for a fumble at the goal line that resulted in a touchback.

Despite all that, it was the defense that set the tempo early on.

After Dillon Gabriel and company orchestrated a 16-play, 80-yard drive — that ended with his 2-yard TD run on fourth-and-1 — the defense went to work.

Leilehua's very first play from scrimmage resulted in a six-yard loss and two plays later, Mykah Tuiolemotu registered the first of Mililani's six sacks when he dropped Mules' QB Max Nicols for an eight-yard loss on third-and-13.

"We wanted to make sure we got three-and-outs on defense and every drive we scored on offense. That was basically it, that was our mentality," said Tuiolemotu, a junior defensive tackle.

The plan worked to perfection. Less than a minute later, the offense fulfilled their part of the equation when Kilifi Malepeai punched in touchdown from 27 yards out.

Later in the first quarter, the defense held for another quick three-and-out and got the offense the ball back in prime real estate. A short punt, compounded by a 15-yard personal foul against the Mules, put the Trojans just outside the red zone. Two plays later, Gabriel hit Malepeai for a 20-yard TD pass.

"(The defense) kept getting us the ball back and it gave us a lot of momentum," Malepeai said. "It opened up so many doors for the offense to move in and start scoring more. The defense played a big role in this game."

Near the end of the opening quarter, the Mules picked up nine yards on a James McGary run to set-up third-and-1. However, Chad Dilay was tackled for a four-yard loss after a short completion from Nichols and Leilehua was relegated to punt.

The Trojans cashed in by driving 70 yards in just seven plays, culminating in a 37-yard TD pass from Gabriel to Reichel Vegas.

About midway through the second quarter, Leilehua drove to the Mililani 30-yard line, but the home team defense stood tough once again.

Jalen Tuivaiave-Olomua swatted away Nichols' pass on first down before McGary was dropped for a one-yard loss on second down. On third-and-11, Tuiolemotu broke through the offensive line for a sack-fumble that went for a 16-yard loss.

"We were hungry. Our defense was really working and getting the shut out feels like everything that we do is worth it," Tuiolemotu said.

In between a pair of Leilehua three-and-outs, Mililani stretched its lead to 40-0 on Raysen Motoyama's 26-yard TD run with 2:47 left in the first half.

In all, the Trojans turned in six three-and-out on defense.

"The defense played tremendous. That's what we've been working on so it's good to see," Mililani coach Rod York said. "Any time the defense plays good it's easier for our team."

The Mules were held to 81 yards of total offense, including minus-22 rushing. They picked up only 10 first downs all game and were 2 of 13 on third downs.

Five different players registered at least one-half sack for the Trojans.



Reach Kalani Takase at [email protected].




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