Mililani, HI
A battle went down Saturday night at John kauinana stadium as undefeated Mililani Trojans took on the Kahuku red Raiders. The Trojans looked to start OiA play with another win after defeating the Leilehua mules last week at home. The Trojans would be without their top 2 receivers in Seniors WR, Zion white and bless Cabrera-Hopkins, due to injury. The Trojans have faced adversity early on and a big challenge was in front of them. After a comeback win on opening night against Liberty, the Trojans have been on a roll defeating teams from California and Las Vegas. Just like the Trojans, the Red Raiders would also play teams from California to help strengthen their teams for the stretch of the season.
The Trojans led by Junior Qb, Hunter Fujikawa, would go into the match without his two favorite targets. That wouldn’t matter tho, as former kahuku Red Raider and now Mililani Trojan Junior RB, Toa sam, would make an impact against his former team. The Trojans are also led by Senior defensive LB and University of Oregon commit, Toa Satele. the Red Raiders are led by Junior QB, Lucky Suguturaga, Senior Rb Blake Alo and Junior Rb, Blayzn Brave-Nunuha. The defense led by Junior LB, Siale Ried, and Senior Db, Teave Crawford, looked to cause mayhem for the trojans. Both matchups would be an early glimpse of what could possibly be a championship match later this year.
The red Raiders come into the match with a 3-2 record. After starting off their season strong getting wins against all ILH teams in St. Louis, Kamehameha and Punahou, the red raiders now face off against the no.1 ranked team in Hawaii after coming home facing off the top powerhouse No.9 ranked team in the Nation, St. John Bosco. The red raiders fell short just two weeks ago against Sera from California. A late comeback was in the works for kahuku before falling to a last minute touchdown and interception which gave them their first loss of the season. A week later, they would get a chance to play against a team that they pulled the biggest upset back home on the north shore. 3 years in the making, Kahuku would face off against St. John Bosco. A tough loss for the red raiders added another loss 2 weeks in a row as they now open league play. The red raiders looked to clean up the mistakes against the two California teams and finally get themselves back in the win column against a familiar foe.
A rivalry with a lot of history was shown on Saturday night. The red raiders led by QB Suguturaga, would start off their opening drive with a 3 and out and the Trojans would get to see the field. Trojans Rb, toa sam, would make things difficult for the red raiders offense. He would punch in two rushing touchdowns to start the Trojans offense as it sparked the strong energy that the trojans needed. He would end the night with 111 rushing yards on 20 carries.
Kahuku would answer back later in the second quarter with a receiving touchdown from Junior WR, Kaimi Dowling. The Red Raiders would get themselves back within one possession of the game. A few drives later, the Red Raiders special team led by Junior Blayzn Brave-nunuha, would find himself in the end zone off a punt return before it got called back due to holding. The turn around spark that the Red Raiders needed was shut down and could not get things going.
Still 14-6, Trojans QB, Hunter Fujikawa, would go off for a 33-yard passing touchdown to Junior WR, Hayden Bajet right before the half to go up 21-6. in the second half he would find a wide open 71-yard passing touchdown to Sophomore WR, Ashton Grace, to eventually seal the win at home. The Trojans forced a lot of stops and turnovers against the Red Raiders. The Red Raiders had their opportunity to capitalize and get themselves back into the match. They would see themselves on the trojans end zone, but the defense from Mililani would make the stop to keep Kahuku at 6 points.
a Heavyweight battle was displayed once again and the trojans keep their record perfect. As for the Red Raiders, they fall to 3-3 for the year and pick up their third loss in a row. The Road for Mililani doesn't get any easier, as they will host the Campbell Sabers next week Saturday in another heavy weight battle. As for Kahuku, they will open up their Oia home debut against the leilehua Mules.
Final Score: Mililani 28 - Kahuku 6
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Pictures Taken By: Kennedy Velasco - @kennnchapo
