The Mules will put a seven-game winning streak in the series on the line at Castle’s field tonight. The Knights last beat Leilehua in 2001. Leilehua is 7-0 when it has a running back gain more than 80 yards against Castle. Castle is looking for its fourth win in the sixth week, the fastest start for the school since it started 4-1 in 2010. Castle has never had a rusher gain 100 yards against Leilehua.
LEILEHUA MULES (1-3, 1-2 OIA Red)
Head coach: Mark Kurisu
Mules roster
VS.
CASTLE KNIGHTS (3-2, 3-1)
Head coach: John Hao
Knights roster
Trevor Cui-Anderson comes down with Leilehua’s second intereption and the Mules take a knee.
The teams trade punts to start the fourth quarter. Reis’ 24-yard return sets up Leilehua at tha Castle 36. The Mules drive to the 12 before Andres loses 12 yards on a high snap. Akoni Tom-Makue hits FIELD GOAL from 40 yards and the running clock is in effect. 5:52
Castle punts and Leilehua takes over at its 40. On third and 17, Andres is under pressure, escapes to his left and finds Evans open downfield for a 67-yard LEILEHUA TOUCHDOWN. PAT good. 3:00
After a sack, Makana Smith takes the direct snap and loses the ball under pressure. Kalaika Sinclair scoops it up at the 12 and drags a host of Knights into the end zone with him for a LEILEHUA TOUCHDOWN. PAT pass failed. 5:30.
Costa’s kickoff goes out of bounds and McGary starts the Leilehua drive with a 30-yard run up the middle. He picks up 12 more on two more carries. After a 5-yard completion, Andres keeps its and gets to the 10. Two plays later, Andres keeps it again from the 5 for a LEILEHUA TOUCHDOWN. PAT blocked. 6:39.
Leilehua gets the ball to open the second half but Rombawa comes down with his second interception of the night and returns it 30 yards to the Mules 20. A facemask penalty on Castle pushes the Knights back and Costa nails a FIELD GOAL from 45 yards out. 9:17
McGary gives the Mules some breathing room with a 10-yard run, but Castle’s Ezekiel Rombawa comes down with an interception on a deep ball at the Knights’ 41. Castle goes three-and-out and Leilehua takes over at its 11. The Mules get out to the 38 but punt to end the half.
Castle’s Chasen Pulaylay-Shuford returns the kickoff to the Leilehua 22 but a personal foul pushes the Knights back to the 37. On third and 10, Leilehua’s Isaiah Pillete comes down with an interception. But the Mules fumble the ball away at their 38. Castle converts with a middle screen on third and 4, but a personal foul negates the gain and now it’s third and 13 for the Knights. Jaeden Chow sacks Uyemura-Lee for a loss of 7. Knights punt is downed at the 4.
Castle fumbles the ball away at its 25 and McGary scores his second LEILEHUA TOUCHDOWN in the last 1:08 of game time on a burst up the middle. PAT good. 9:29.
Masen Reis fields the kickoff at the Leilehua 5, finds a seam up the sideline and is finally dragged down at the Castle 5 for an 88-yard return. James McGary takes a toss to the left side, cuts inside and scores. TOUCHDOWN LEILEHUA. PAT good. 10:37
Jaylen Uyemura-Lee got off to a slow start but is heating up with help from Makana Smith, who runs down a deep ball, tips it with one hand then makes an amazing catch as he hits the ground for a 26-yard gain. Drive stalls as the first quarter ends and Cheyden Costa drills a 39-yard FIELD GOAL for the Knights. 11:02, second quarter.
Leilehua punts, but the ball hits a Castle player in the back and the Mules recover. On third and 10 at the 17, Kona Andres completes a fade down the left side to Jeremy Evans for a Mules TOUCHDOWN. PAT good. 3:12.
Castle opens the game with a three-and-out, but get the ball back on Senituli Punivai’s strip sack. Knights get to the Leilehua 30 but a 47-yard field goal attempt comes up short.
Castle wins the toss and will receive the opening kickoff.
Leilehua wins the JV game 30-19. The game ended under heavy rain, but the skies cleared between games and looks like we’ll start under dry conditions … for now, at least.
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Top performances in the series:
Leilehua passing vs. Castle: Kalanimoku Pauole with 280 yards in 2014
Leilehua rushing vs. Castle: John West with 193 in 1996
Leilehua receiving vs. Castle: Fred Padrones with 152 in 2010.
Castle passing vs. Leilahua: Willie Ewaliko with 279 in 2015
Castle rushing vs. Leilehua: Alvis Satele with 98 in 1980
Castle receiving vs. Leilehua: Kainalu Moya with 110 in 2015.
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