FB: No. 1 Kahuku holds off No. 9 Mililani

Clinton Aina of Kailua gave Leilehua a hard time in Friday's OIA Red playoff game. Photo by Jamm Aquino
No. 4 Leilehua 29, Kailua 13
As the lights flickered on and off at Hugh Yoshida Stadium, so did Leilehua’s chances at a state-tournament berth.
Upset-minded Kailua proved to be a legitimate threat to upset the Mules, but CJ Bailey’s 165 all-purpose yards proved to be too much in a 29-13 win last night in the quarterfinals of the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red conference playoffs.
The game was delayed three times as various power outages forced stoppages in play. By the time it was all said and done, it was the Surfriders’ season that faded to black as the Mules (7-2) advanced to the semifinals, where they will play the winner of today’s game between Farrington and Kapolei.
Andrew Manley finished 23-for-42 for 260 yards and put the game away with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Bailey rushed for 129 yards and had four catches for 36 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown reception from Manley that put the Mules up 22-13 midway through the fourth quarter.
Manley then iced the game with a 7-yard touchdown run in the final 2 minutes after Kailua’s drive stalled inside the Leilehua 10 when Corey Lau’s pass was intercepted by Dillon Pau‘u.
No. 1 Kahuku 35, No. 9 Mililani 27
The hard-earned win lifted Kahuku (9-0 overall) into the semifinals of the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red Conference playoffs. Mililani’s season ended at 7-3 overall despite a heroic effort.
The Trojans trailed by 15 points in the fourth quarter, but rallied to cut the lead to eight, then started a drive from their own 17. A 15-yard lob from Trent McKinney to Hassan Richardson gave Mililani first and goal at the 1-yard line. Two sneaks by McKinney were stuffed, and after a Kahuku time out, Stevenson was stopped by lineman Kona Schwenke.
Time ticked down and Mililani lined up for another dive play to Stevenson, who was hit again by Schwenke, then wrapped up by linebacker Ben Mamea as he fumbled. Johnny Tupola, one of several two-way starters, recovered for Kahuku, ending Mililani’s upset bid.
Castle 23, No. 5 Waianae 16
Waianae was on the verge of knocking Castle out of the Oahu Interscholastic Association postseason at Raymond Torii Field for the second straight year. But instead it was the Windward-side visitors who made the late plays to advance 23-16 and face unbeaten Kahuku in the semifinals at Aloha Stadium next week.
“It feels really good,” said Knights quarterback Jaymason Lee, who had three touchdown passes against three uncharacteristic interceptions. “Everyone on this team deserves it. It’s unbelievable right now.”
Castle avenged its 25-13 loss at Waianae last year, a matchup between the teams on that field at the same time last year. It certainly wasn’t as easy as it might have been after a 15-0 first-quarter lead.
No. 6 Saint Louis 44, Damien 14
The Crusaders kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a win over the Monarchs.
Saint Louis improved to 4-3, a half game behind Punahou (4-2), and hope Kamehameha (4-1) is upset by Word of Life tomorrow.
No. 7 Punahou 35, Pac-Five 12
The Buffanblu shut down PJ Minaya and the Wolfpack, keeping the pressure on first-place Kamehameha.
Moanalua 21, Kalaheo 20, OT
Moanalua’s Rich Villasenor blocked the potential game-tying extra point in overtime to help ensure the victory for Na Menehune in the semifinals of the OIA White playoffs.
Na Menehune got the ball first in overtime and Tahje Canyon put the pressure on the Mustangs with a 14-yard touchdown run.
Canyon finished the night with 87 yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns, including the game-winner.
Aiea 7, Radford 0
In a defensive struggle, Na Alii moved on to the OIA White Championship game with the shutout victory over the visiting Rams.
Anae Vaa’s 20-yard run in the second quarter proved to be the game-winner. Vaa also rushed for a total of 100 yards.
Radford used a two-quarterback system and was held to just 6 completions, while throwing two interceptions.