No. 15 Leilehua needs OT to best No. 12 Moanalua in defensive struggle

Brian Bautista | SL

It wasn't pretty but the Mules found a way.

No. 15 Leilehua overcame a 10 point deficit, putting up the game's final 13 points to rally past 12th ranked Moanalua, 13-10, in a game that needed overtime to decide the victor.

Rodel Alano missed a 30 yard attempt on the Mules' first drive in the fourth quarter but atoned for that with a 36 yarder to tie the game at 10-all with 5:38 to go.

On the ensuing drive, Na Menehune benefitted fom a personal foul penalty that started its drive on the Mules' 44, and seven plays later had a chance for a game-winning field goal from 35 yards out.

That kick from Andy Nguyen came up short, and Leilehua ran just a single play on its next possession before time expired in regulation.

Moanalua got the ball first in the overtime and an 11 yard keeper by Tyler Gines-Hufana, who came on to replace injured starter Isaac Harney, gave Na Menehune goal to go at the Leilehua 7. The Mules came up with a trio of stops to force a fourth down field goal attempt from 26 yards out, but that also missed wide left.

On Leilehua's try in the first overtime, a key strike from Bennett Strobel to Tavon Tarpley put the Mules on the Moanalua 5, where the Na Menehune defense withstood three rushing attempts, setting up Alano's try for the game-clincher.

Moanalua broke through with just 37 seconds left until halftime for the game's opening score, a three yard pass from Harney to Jace Bareng.

Nguyen tacked on a 25 yard field goal at the 7:23 mark of the third to make it a 10 point lead, until the Mules got on the board via a Strobel to Tarpley connection from 13 yards out.

The Mules had nine tackles for loss and five sacks in the game as team, led by Makukai Ruiz (5 TFL, 3 sacks) and Gabe Liua (2 sacks). Liua also forced a fumble.

Moanalua's defense was equal to the task, with 11 TFLs, four of them sacks. Aizaih Alualu-Tipoai and Tyson Alualu-Iu each had three tackles for losses and totaled 17 tackles between the duo.

Both teams completed 19 of 31 passes, though the Mules had the advantage in yardage (247 to 155). Neither team had much success running the ball, with Moanalua outgaining Leilehua 18 yards to 11.

The result also created a three-way tie atop the OIA D1 standings, with Moanalua, Leilehua and Radford all knotted at 4-1.