Under coach Nolan Tokuda, the Leilehua football program has always had a family atmosphere surrounding it. So when one of its own extended members was diagnosed with cancer recently, Tokuda wanted to make sure he and his players showed their support.

Sporting teal-colored coaches' shirts in their 47-26 win at Waianae Friday night, the Mules paid tribute to the step-mom of defensive coordinator Mark Kurisu, who in the fight of her life.

"Coach Mark's step-mom is fighting ovarian cancer and for her to be going through what she's going through, we just wanted her to know that we're thinking of her and we're praying for her, too," Tokuda said. "Hopefully the way the kids played inspired her as well."

The Mules were the ones looking inspired, especially in the first half against the host-Seariders. Leilehua scored on three of its first four possessions and notched five first-half touchdowns despite turning it over on downs twice in the red zone before the intermission.

Tokuda's prolific offense ran 35 plays for 314 yards in the first half alone. On a third-and-16, Randy Neverson received a backwards pass behind the line of scrimmage from quarterback Kalanimoku Pauole and fired it downfield to a wide-open Austin Molina, who did the rest on the 36-yard scoring play.

"We came out flat, but obviously it's because of the way Waianae played," Tokuda said. "They played physical, they played tough the whole way, we had to resort to a trick play to kind of get our guys going and after that we were able to loosen up and play our game."

Pauole threw three first-half touchdown passes, including perfectly-thrown deep ball to Lauriano Lucas that latter hauled in for an 86-yard score midway through the opening quarter.

Neverson, who also scored on a 21-yard run and a 17-yard reception, stepped up in the absence of fellow running back Ikaika Piceno, who did not play due to a hamstring injury.

"We've got so many guys who are unselfish and willing to play any position," Tokuda said. "When you have a guy like Ikaika Piceno out, somebody like Randy Neverson will just step up and get the job done, so we're just blessed to have those kinds of guys."