After biding his time the past few years, Kyin Rivera-Galbraith got his breakout moment over the weekend.

Rivera-Galbraith, a senior running back for the Leilehua football team, played a pivotal role in a 10-0 road win over Farrington in the regular-season opener for both squads Friday night. 

The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Rivera-Galbraith ran for 141 yards on 21 carries — both career-high marks — and scored the game's lone touchdown late in the contest. 

Leilehua coach Mark Kurisu was most impressed by the patience Rivera-Galbraith displayed against the Govs. 

"We know he break off long (runs), but for him to be able to spot three, five yards a carry, even being able to run out of bounds and not take a big shot, it just shows that his IQ has grown and he's understanding situational football. He takes what the defense gives us and doesn't overshoot himself. He'll take a few yards and not take unnecessary risks to try and make a big play, but he just does what he thinks will help the team," Kurisu said. 

Rivera-Galbraith averaged 6.7 yards per carry, but his night started rather inauspiciously. After the first quarter, he had just three carries for minus-one yard. However, he got it going in the second stanza, when he carried six times for 53 yards and also caught a five-yard reception. 

Out of the intermission, Rivera-Galbraith got back to work and toted the ball six more times for another 29 yards in the third quarter. He saved his best for last as Rivera-Galbraith racked up 58 yards on six carries in the final quarter. 

"He's just well-rounded and such a balanced runner," said Kurisu, who noted Rivera-Galbraith is also a member of the Mules' track and field team during the spring season. 

Rivera-Galbraith participates in both the 110-meter and 300-meter hurdles events, as well as the high jump. 

"His track training kind of shows his ability to accelerate and maintain a high level of speed. He's in great shape because of track and he's been able to do what's needed for us to be successful," Kurisu described. 

Of his 23 touches Friday night, 11 of them resulted in first downs — nine of them by rush, the other two via pass reception — with two of those coming on third downs. Several of his carries went for 10-or-more yards; his longest rush of the night went for 24 yards. 

The Mules got on the board by orchestrating an 11-play, 74-yard drive that took more than five minutes off the clock and was capped by Rodel Alano's 24-yard field goal in the closing seconds of the first quarter. The scoring drive was set-up by Kaui Nakamoto's red-zone interception. 

Leilehua's 3-0 lead held until Rivera-Galbraith's 13-yard TD run with 1:28 left in the game. He proved to be instrumental on the final scoring drive, which covered 65 yards in seven plays. 

The Mules started the possession at their own 35-yard line with 5:25 remaining. Rivera-Galbraith carried on back-to-back plays for gains of 10 and 12 yards to open the drive. Two plays later, he picked up a yard on another run play. Later in the drive — on third-and-seven — Rivera-Galbraith was on the receiving end of a screen pass from quarterback Bennett Strobel that resulted in a 16-yard pick up and got their team in the red zone. 

Kurisu said that the offense leans heavily on both Strobel and Rivera-Galbraith to not only provide leadership and solid decision making, but ultimately, make plays, especially in the clutch. 

"We have a young offense so we rely heavily on our seniors who have been there from last season because they've kind of been in through the battles. We wanted to allow those two playmakers to run what we call ‘clock killer,' which is our four-minute offense and we knew we would have four plays for 10 yards so we stayed patient with the play calling and I think as the clock got smaller we were able to find some advantages offensively," Kurisu said. 

Kurisu credited both Strobel and Rivera-Galbraith for their execution of the well-timed screen pass, as well as the work of the offensive line. 

"We relied heavily on Kyin's ability to run and on that screen pass, Ben's ability to set it up with the play-action and dump it off to Kyin, who made a play, but a lot of that goes to the o-line. They're the ones making the blocks and creating the holes and putting bodies on bodies and Kyin's the one using his IQ to find the best spot to get to," Kurisu said. 

One play after the successful screen pass, the drive culminated in Rivera-Galbraith's 13-yard TD run that included a few broken tackles. Alano added the extra point to give Leilehua a 10-0 cushion with 1:28 to play. 

As is typical with Rivera-Galbraith, Kurisu said there was no flashiness in the immediate aftermath of the touchdown, but rather, he was quick to recognize the efforts of his teammates. 

"He's just that ‘I do the work, follow my lead' type of guy. He won't say much, he'll say some positive things — ‘let's go, we got this' — but he's not gonna be your big rah-rah guy, but you see him play and you see him run and he runs hard. He acknowledges the guys on offense and he knows he wouldn't do it without them. He understands that our success is not our own, it's because of our team and he makes sure to acknowledge his big guys and the rest of his offense," Kurisu said. 

Kurisu pointed to the core group of offensive linemen Fuchollo Garcia, Chaysten Managua, Karson Burke, Memphis Leila, Samson Lautalo and Billy Mull for paving the way for Rivera-Galbraith up front. 

"Those are our main six guys we rotate heavily on the line, but they're doing a great job for us," Kurisu said. 

In his first varsity season back in 2023, Rivera-Galbraith played defensive back in a reserve role. A year ago he backed up standout Cameron Keeve, who ranked second statewide with 1,497 rushing yards and 14 total TDs. Rivera-Galbraith tallied 95 carries for 454 yards and six total TDs in 2024. 

This fall, however, Rivera-Galbraith is shouldering the load as the Mules' feature back. 

"We pulled him up as a sophomore because we believed he could contribute somewhere and he did — he was a corner as a sophomore — then last year at running back he contributed there and right now he's just trusting what the team needs and then being able to fill that role, but not doing anything special. I believe he and the rest of the team just rely on each other that they're gonna do their jobs and when they do their jobs correctly, good things will happen. Kyin knows that if he trusts his teammates and as long as they do their job, he can break a big one," Kurisu said. 

Rivera-Galbraith, who has received a scholarship offer from NAIA-level school Olivet Nazarene (Bourbonnais, Ill.), is described by Kurisu as a model Mule. 

"He's just one of those guys that models what we want from a Leilehua football player — someone who works hard, gets good grades, makes good decisions — high-character guys. We always tell them if you do those three things, football will come easy and you'll attain success, so he's been a good role model and he's done it the right way and he's built for longevity now," Kurisu said. 

After the Mules began the season with back-to-back losses against Waipahu and Hilo, they have now won two in a row. The victory over the Governors puts them at 2-2 overall and 1-0 in the Open Division of the Oahu Interscholastic Association.

Friday marked Leilehua first foray back in the Open Division since 2022. It moved up to the top tier this fall after going 10-4 a year ago, including an OIA Division I championship. 

The 10-0 trump over Farrington marked Leilehua's first win in the Open Division since Nov. 19, 2021. 

"I think we surprised a lot of people. That's one thing we harp on a lot — don't worry about what other people think, just focus on what we're doing," Kurisu said. "We're not prototypical, we're not gonna look a certain way, but we're gonna play a certain way and do things right and hopefully good things happen. That was just one moment that they got to actually believe, experience and come up with a big win in the Open."

The Mules will return to the gridiron Saturday night when they play host to No. 4 Campbell (4-0) at Hugh Yoshida Stadium. 

The game will serve as homecoming for the Sabers, who will be the designated home team. Kickoff is scheduled for approximately 7:30 p.m.

FOOTBALL

Emery Abilla, Waialua — Threw for 254 yards and two touchdowns on 22-of-33 passing without an interception and ran for two touchdowns in a loss to Pearl City 

Keenan Alani, Konawaena — Threw for 215 yards and four touchdowns on 13-of-18 passing without an interception in a win over Hilo 

Joe Allen, Keaau — Made 10 tackles, including one for a loss, in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii 

Bryson Boswell-Barnayha, Waianae — Ran four times for 128 yards and a touchdown in a win over Nanakuli 

Cason Brooke, Kekaulike — Caught five passes for 102 yards and a touchdown in a win over Baldwin 

Kaeo Bush, Roosevelt — Threw for 304 yards and six touchdowns on 14-of-26 passing without an interception in a win over Kalani

Dallas Enriquez, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Ran 24 times for 110 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Keaau 

DJ Fidow, Radford — Made 10 tackles in a loss to Waipahu 

Jensen Fujishige, Waialua — Made 14 ½ tackles, including one for a loss, and broke up two passes in a loss to Pearl City 

Tyler Gines-Hufana, Moanalua — Threw for 243 yards and a touchdown on 21-of-33 passing with an interception in a loss to Aiea 

Trustin Gomes, Keaau — Threw for 186 yards and two touchdowns on 12-of-16 passing without an interception in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii 

Wyatt Ho-Williams, Damien — Caught a touchdown pass and also scored on a 99-yard interception return for touchdown in a loss to Campbell 

Caizel Jesus-Kapesi, Aiea — Threw for 220 yards and two touchdowns on 22-of-36 passing with an interception in a win over Moanalua 

Aiden Kahele, Castle — Ran 19 times for 121 yards and a touchdown in a win over McKinley 

Tayvin Kahele, Kailua — Caught four passes for 111 yards in a win over Kaiser

Nai Kalauokaaea, Kalaheo — Threw for 233 yards and four touchdowns on 10-of-14 passing without an interception in a win over Kaimuki

Ioane Kamanao, Roosevelt — Caught five passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Kalani

Dallas Kealohanui, Saint Louis — Made four tackles and scored on an 11-yard interception return for touchdown in a win over Mililani 

Isaiah Keaunui-Demello, Kailua — Threw for 303 yards and three touchdowns on 17-of-21 passing without an interception in a win over Kaiser

Hiki Kim Choy-Keb-Ah Lo, Aiea — Ran for a two touchdowns and caught a touchdown pass in a win over Moanalua 

Shaison Kupukaa, Campbell — Caught four passes for 138 yards and a touchdown in a win over Damien 

Max Kushi, Baldwin — Ran 17 times for 121 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Kekaulike 

Ricky Liilii, Saint Louis — Made five tackles, including four for losses with two sacks and scored on a 29-yard fumble return for touchdown in a win over Mililani 

Nainoa Lopes, Saint Louis — Threw for 264 yards and three touchdowns on 18-of-25 passing without an interception in a win over Mililani 

Marquez Mellor, Kailua — Ran 10 times for 133 yards and a touchdown in a win over Kaiser 

Javian Mizuno, Moanalua — Caught 10 passes for 118 yards in a loss to Aiea 

Zaeven Newman, Leilehua — Caught nine passes for 111 yards in a win over Farrington 

Jordan Nunuha, Saint Louis — Caught five passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Mililani 

Ezekiel Opunui, Lahainaluna — Ran five times for 116 yards and a touchdown in a win over Maui 

Tristan Pacheco, Waipahu — Ran 16 times for 181 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Radford 

Zayne Pasion, Campbell — Caught four passes for 103 yards and a touchdown in a win over Damien 

Cyler Quick, Keaau — Made 10 tackles, including one sack, in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii 

Charlie Salazar, Keaau — Ran 23 times for 112 yards in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii 

Ezra Spencer, Aiea — Caught six passes for 109 yards in a win over Moanalua 

Zyon-Blaze Telles-Kuwahara, Radford — Ran 28 times for 131 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Waipahu 

Kaiea Thomas, Konawaena — Caught five passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Hilo 

Kyle Thomas, Lahainaluna — Ran eight times for 144 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Maui 

Ikaika Torres, Pearl City — Threw for 204 yards and a touchdown on 22-of-32 passing with one interception in a win over Waialua 

David Vidinha, Waipahu — Threw for 220 yards and four touchdowns on 14-of-24 passing without an interception in a win over Radford 

Keldon Wassman, Keaau — Made three tackles, including one for a loss, and scored on an interception return for touchdown in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii 

Cooper Watkins, Baldwin — Caught six passes for 105 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Kekaulike 

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Uilani Ahana, Kamehameha-Maui — Had 15 kills, three digs and an ace in a three-set win over Kekaulike 

Taimane Ainuu — Had 16 kills, two aces, one solo block, one block assist and one set assist in a four-set win over Punahou 

Mia Furoyama, Mid-Pacific — Had 18 digs and four set assists in a three-set loss to Kamehameha 

Faith Iokia, Kamehameha — Had 34 set assists, 11 digs, five block assists, two kills and one ace in a three-set win over Mid-Pacific 

Clia Kafka, Seabury Hall — Had 23 aces, five digs and one kill in a three-set win over Kihei Charter

Kamila-Mafi Koloi, Lanai — Had 18 set assists, 10 digs, four kills, two solo blocks and one ace in a four-set win over Maui Prep and had 22 set assists, 10 digs, two block assists, one kill and one ace in a five-set win over Maui Prep 

Zsiare Lakalo, Campbell — Had 16 set assists, 11 digs, five kills and three aces in a three-set win over Nanakuli 

Hope Lemaota, Kapolei — Had 15 digs and two aces in a four-set loss to Campbell 

Ayva-Ray Malepeai, Kamehameha — Had 13 kills, 10 digs, two block assists, two set assists and two aces in a three-set win over Mid-Pacific

Sofia Mallari, Maui Prep — Had 19 kills and 20 digs in a four-set loss to Lanai and had 21 kills, 12 digs and three aces in a five-set loss to Lanai 

Makenna Mello, Punahou — Had 33 set assists, four kills, three block assists and one ace in a four-set loss to Iolani 

Kacie Miyahira, Kapolei — Had 15 digs, three aces and one set assist in a three-set win over Waialua and had 15 digs in a four-set loss to Campbell 

Bailey Nakanelua, Iolani — Had 36 set assists and four kills in a four-set win over Punahou

Millie Pavsek, Lanai — Had 31 digs, four aces and two set assists in a five-set win over Maui Prep 

Milan Scanlan, Mid-Pacific — Had 19 set assists, 12 digs and seven kills in a three-set loss to Kamehameha 

Anny Scott, Kapolei — Had 22 set assists, 10 digs, four aces, three kills and one block assist in a three-set win over Waialua and had 28 set assists, 18 digs, three aces and two kills in a four-set loss to Campbell 

Chandy-Lee Westbrook, Nanakuli — Had 20 set assists, 10 digs and two kills in a three-set loss to Nanakuli