Mililani shuts down Kapolei to earn final OIA Open Division berth

Greg Yamamoto | SL

It might not be the typical path, but the Trojans are marching on to the state tourney.

For the first time in the Open Division era, Mililani punched its ticket via the OIA third place game, posting a 41-7 rout of Kapolei at Roosevelt's Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium.

In his second game back since being sidelined following the season opening game against Kailua, Kini McMillan looked much more poised and comfortable, completing 20 of 34 passes for 315 yards, with passing scores to four different receivers.

"It felt good to get the team rolling and I feel like its a good momentum setter before we play Kahuku," said McMillan of his performance. "its the game we wanted and I'm just happy it worked out that way."

"I feel like more of the chemistry is there and you can kind of see it we're having a little more fun out there."

Also of note was receiver Brandon Gaea, the transfer from Bishop Gorman, who was noticeably more involved offensively, to the tune of four catches for 68 yards, one of them a beautiful 43 yard catch and run for a score.

"We kind of grew up playing ball," said McMillan of Gaea. "He's a playmaker, so I'm just doing my best just to give him the ball and put him in space."

"I just trusted in Kini," laughed Gaea of the scoring play. "He said he was going to get me one, and he got me."

Gaea's increased presence likely factored into Derek Tsuchiyama posting six grabs for 97 yards and a score, both season high totals.

What's more, running back Nakoa Kahana-Travis also had a more characteristic stat line in what was his second game back in action as well, rushing for 118 yards and 12 carries while adding a score through the air from 39 yards out, the first poiints of the game for the Trojans.

With the offense very much back on track, the defense stepped up in a big way as well, holding Kapolei to a season low 108 total yards, recording nine tackles for loss, five sacks and three interceptions, one of which was returned for a score by Timothy Wallace.

"I knew that they like quick game so I tried to sit and watch the quarterback and once I seen his eyes lock on that receiver I knew I had to break on it and take it home," said Wallace of the pick-six.

Wallace, however, was quick to credit the Trojans' front line for their role.

"Their the reason why we're able to create that pressure and get them throwing balls that are uncharacteristic," he said. "Doing that was huge for our D-line."

Liatama Amisone played sporadically in the first half for the Hurricanes, but ended up sidelined for much of the game, seemingly due to an injury that kept him out in the late stages a week ago against Campbell.

Kapolei got on the board to close out the second half, stringing together a drive that was capped off by a one yard plunge by Chase Camarillo as time expired, but were basically stymied by the Trojans' front line pressure throughout.

Up next for Mililani is a rematch with league nemesis Kahuku in the Open semis. And with both teams seemingly hitting their stride at the same time, fans could in store for a classic.

"With everybody back, we're coming together at the right time," said Wallace. "We got a lot of work to do against Kahuku, but they haven't seen our best, so we're ready to show it to them."