Leilehua runs over 'Iolani, 56-35

Leilehua WR Tristan Kamaka tries to escape the grasp of an Iolani defender. Evan Asato | SL

At this early in the season, most teams' defenses are ahead of the offense. But not Leilehua.

The Mules' offense, no matter who was at quarterback, looked efficient as ever in holding off 'Iolani, 56-35, on a bright Saturday matinee at Eddie Hamada Track and Field at Kozuki Stadium.

It was Leilehua's first game of the season. The Mules open the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red West Friday when they host Campbell. But they have another non-league game the following week when they host Canada's Vincent Massey.

The Raiders (1-1) conclude non-league play Saturday when they host Kamehameha-Hawai'i.

All eyes were on Leilehua's touted newcomer Mack Eberhardt, the transfer quarterback from Massachusetts. He was 13 of 19 for 143 yards, but left the game after driving the Mules to the tying touchdown midway through the second quarter. But he injured his thumb, giving way to Kalanimoku Pauole, who completed the drive with a 5-yard TD pass to Tristan Kamaka.

"He fell back on it, stretched this way," Leilehua coach Nolan Tokuda said. "As a precautionary, we didn't want to play him already.

"We have all the confidence in the world in Kalanimoku (Pauole) and Justin (Jenks) to run our offense."

To show the kind of depth the Mules have at quarterback, last year's starter, Jenks, was the third QB used. Eberhardt is the projected starter.

Pauole completed only one of his first five passes, of which two were intercepted by Max Look. But Pauole finished strong, completing his last five passes for 63 yards and two TDs. His other TD pass was nine yards to Toma Savea. Pauole also scored on a 41-yard run.

And the Mules weren't just a passing fancy. They scored four TDs on the ground (compared to three by air). Running back Ikaika Piceno led with 126 yards on nine carries with two TDs, including an electrifying 62 yard run.

Tokuda credited the offensive line for the fine work on the Mules' giddy-up offense.

The Raiders, who also employ the hurry-up offense, kept the Mules on their toes. Leilehua found itself down 21-14 before scoring five in a row to take a 49-21 lead by midway through the third quarter. Tokuda said the Mules weren't ready for some of 'Iolani's new formations.

"They did some things that they didn't do last week (against Kalani), so we basically went off the scouting reports," Tokuda said.. "So when they put five wide to one side, something our guys are not used to. They make adjustments, we have to make adjustments. That tells who what kind of coaching staff you have when you have to make adjustments on the fly.

'"Our guys have to learn how to tackle better in space. For now, our offense is a little ahead of the game. We'll put the defense on our shoulders of now. I'm sure at the end it's going to be our defense leading us again. They do every year."

'Iolani QBs Easton Tsubata and Austin Jim On basically alternated series. Jim On was 15 of 25 for 147 yards and three TDs (with two interceptions (by Leejay Lauti and Deshaun Osborne, who return his 64 yards for a TD). Tsubata was 6 of 14 for 56 yards with one passing TD and a rushing one.

Backup running back Randy Neverson capped the Mules' scoring late in the game with a 64-yard TD run.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at [email protected].