Leilehua's Justin Jenks scrambles for extra yardage against Moanalua. Eugene Tanner | SL

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Moanalua's Micah Kaneshiro loads up for a pass attempt against Leilehua. Eugene Tanner | SL

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Moanalua's Donald Lambert looks for room to run after the catch against Leilehua. Eugene Tanner | SL

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Leilehua's Randy Neverson carries the ball against Moanalua. Eugene Tanner | SL

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Fri, Oct 11, 2013 @ Moanalua [ 7:00 pm ]

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Leilehua

54

Moanalua

17

Final	1	2	3	4	T
Leilehua (6-4-0)	27	13	7	7	54
Moanalua (3-5-0)	0	10	0	7	17

• Pass
• Rush
• Rec

Micah Kaneshiro 294 yd 2 TD

Justin Jenks 109 yd 2 TD

Rodson Kealohi 29 yd

Randy Neverson 182 yd 2 TD

Chad Aragon 133 yd 2 TD

Tristin Kamaka 81 yd 1 TD

Leilehua, No. 10 in the ScoringLive Power Rankings rolled over Moanalua, 54-17 in the opening round of the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red playoffs. Leilehua, the fifth seed from the OIA West advances to play in the quarterfinals at the West's top seed Mililani next week Saturday. Moanalua, the fourth seed from the OIA East, ends their season at 3-6.

"It all started in practice since Saturday. We just came together as a team and we had a team meeting and we looked at our weaknesses and came out and built on it," said Leilehua running back Randy Neverson.

The Mules got off to a quick 27-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. Ikaika Piceno scored 3 of Leilehua's 4 touchdowns in the first quarter. He had 2 rushing touchdowns (21 and 13 yards) and 1 receiving touchdown for 13-yards. Knowing the importance of the game, he credited how the team prepared and focused.

"We knew that this game was 'win or go home' and it was our last week of practice and it showed today in our performance. We just focused because how you practice is how you play," said Piceno.

"We just told our kids that it is their second season and it is a blessing and they were very enthusiastic from Saturday all the way to Thursday and prepared well. We just knew that if the kids trusted us and played for one another and things would work out," said Leilehua coach Nolan Tokuda.

Unfortunately for the Na Menehune, starting the game off with an early deficit was something they wanted to avoid.

"It was the worst start you can have in a football game. We get on offense, there was a sack and turnover on third down. It's hard to win a game when you start with turnover and it avalanches," said Moanalua coach Arnold Martinez. "Leilehua is a good team and you cannot good teams life like that."

The Mules forced 2 turnovers and took advantage of them to go up 14-0 early in the first quarter. Moanalua's Donald Lambert fumbled the ball and MacKenzie Crowley recovered it for the Mules on the 21-yard line. On the next play, Ikaika Piceno ran it in for a 21-yard touchdown and John Enos' kick made it 7-0.

"We stressed turnovers and we wanted a short field and the defense, I guess all year everyone talked that they couldn't hold anybody, but they came in with a chip on their shoulder," said Tokuda.

Anthony Johnson intercepted Moanalua's Micah Kaneshiro and then Randy Neverson scored on a 61-yard touchdown run. Neverson finished the game 12 carries for 182-yards and 2 touchdowns.

"It all started in practice, we were focused and had the game plan down, coach told us what we had to do and we did it," said Neverson.

Piceno caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Justin Jenks that capped off a 8-play drive that started at their own 11-yard line. He added a 6-yard rushing touchdown, but the pass failed making it 27-0.

Micah Kaneshiro hit Chad Aragon for a 21-yard touchdown 6 seconds into the second quarter.

However, the Na Menehune went three-and-out and Tristin Kamaka returned the punt 89-yards for a touchdown.

"With the help of our special teams, we always say there are three phases to the game. So our special teams came out and did their part, scored for us and gave us great opportunities," said Tokuda.

Moanalua's Thomas Sheridan added a 26-yard field goal to make it 33-10.

Jenks threw his second touchdown pass to Kamaka for 45-yards and after the Enos kick, the Mules went up 40-10 going into halftime. Jenks finished the game 4-of-7 passing for 109 yards.

Neverson scored his second rushing touchdown of the night from 16-yards out and Mack Eberhardt rushed for a 76-yard touchdown and the Mules went up, 54-10.

Kaneshiro threw a 56-yard touchdown to Aragon for the final score of the night. He ended his night and career at Moanalua 27-of-45 passing for 294 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception.

Despite ending the season prematurely, Coach Martinez was proud of his team and how much they grew over the season.

"I am proud of their growth and what they taught us. They didn't have bad attitudes and they worked hard everyday to get better every week. I am proud of their effort and being good teammates to one another and I love them like my sons," said Martinez.

It will be a rematch for Leilehua and Mililani, but the Trojans defeated the Mules, 44-14 earlier on September, 27.

"That will be a good game, we'll lick our wounds and get back to work," said Piceno.