Homecoming night was one to remember for Mililani's Zachary Payomo. The senior running back accounted for five scores - all but one of the Trojans' touchdowns - in Friday's 38-27 victory over 'Aiea.

Payomo, who is 5-foot-7 and 169 pounds, scored on runs of 9, 49, 2, 5 and 15 yards against Na Ali'i to help Mililani improve to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red West Conference. He finished with 144 yards on 22 carries.

"It was my last homecoming and it felt good to know that I could actually do something to help the team win," Payomo said. "We're not looking ahead to the playoffs, but we knew that beating 'Aiea would definitely help our chances to get there."

It was the second consecutive game that Payomo broke the 100-yard mark. In a 48-12 win over Campbell two weeks ago, he went for 139 yards on 17 carries (8.2-yard average per rush). Back in week two, Payomo led the way for the Trojan offense with 256 yards on 28 attempts (9.1 avg.) in a 43-23 non-league win over 'Iolani.

"Payomo has been running hard all season," Mililani coach Rod York said. "He's been a great back since the ninth grade, but his problem has been injuries. He's been a little dinged up this year, too, but you can't tell when we are in practice and it's showing in the games. I think he's taking his game up being that it's his senior year."

Payomo, who wears No. 22, ranks fifth in the state with 737 rushing yards this season. He is averaging 7.8 yards per attempt and has found the end zone nine times.

"I know Payomo had a great game (against 'Aiea), but a lot of the credit has to go to the offensive line, they've been doing a hell of a job all season," York said. "They're playing on another level right now and believing in each other."

Against Na Ali'i, the Trojans took a 25-6 lead in the third quarter on Payomo's third TD run of the game, but allowed 21 straight points to fall behind 27-25 before posting a late rally to hold off the visitors.

"I guess it was good and bad that we let (the lead) slip away," said York, the former defensive coordinator who replaced Darnell Arceneaux - now at Saint Louis - in the offseason. "But, the great thing about it was, on the sideline - and I don't think we've had this before - the kids and the coaches didn't panic. We always thought that we would win the game, it was just a matter of how we would do it. I think that game gave us some confidence in ourselves."

Linebacker Cilvin Steward intercepted an 'Aiea pass late in the fourth quarter and Mililani recycled the turnover into a 5-yard Payomo touchdown run to reclaim the lead at 32-27. After a defensive stop, Payomo added a 15-yard scamper in the closing seconds to cap the scoring.

WEEK 7 PERFORMERS

Campbell QB Nilo Agbayani-Omalza passed for 170 yards and 2 TDs against Kapolei.

Saint Louis WR Duke Bukoski had 5 receptions for 105 yards and 3 TDs against Pac-Five.

Lahainaluna RB Jostin Carbajal rushed for 177 yards and 1 TD against Kamehameha-Maui.

Baldwin QB Keelan Ewaliko passed for 270 yards and four TDs against Maui.

Kalaheo WR Nainoa Frank had 7 receptions for 139 yards and 2 TDs against Waipahu.

'Anuenue RB Ikaika Gante rushed for 175 yards and 1 TD against Nanakuli.

Kailua QB Kahaku Iaea passed for 242 and 2 TDs against Kaiser.

Kalani QB Wilkins Kato passed for 243 yards and 1 TD against Kaimuki.

Punahou RB Steven Lakalaka rushed for 166 yards against Iolani.

Pearl City WR Shawn Lopez had 5 receptions for 120 yards and 1 TD against Waialua.

Kailua WR Eric Lum had 11 receptions for 92 yards and 1 TD and kicked 2 FGs against Kaiser.

Waipahu RB Victor Moananu rushed for 223 yards and 3 TDs against Kalaheo.

Kalaheo QB Justin Pagan passed for 227 yards and 3 TDs against Waipahu.

Kapa'a DB Jacob Rapozo returned an interception for a TD and broke up two passes against Kaua'i.

Leilehua QB Keenan Sadanaga passed for 211 yards and 2 TDs against Radford.

Leilehua WR Darrien Shealy had 2 receptions for 135 yards and 2 TDs vs. Radford.

Moanalua RB Charles Spencer rushed for 135 yards against Kahuku.

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