After Mililani pulled away from Waipahu without one of its top performers, coach Rod York anticipates the Trojans being back at full strength the next time they take the field.
Mililani running back Vavae Malepeai sat out the Trojans’ 39-12 win on Friday due to bruised ribs. Mililani has a bye next week, and York said Malepeai will be back for the Trojans’ Sept. 20 game against Campbell.
York added that the Trojans are also set to welcome slot receiver Preston Sinn back to the lineup. Sinn was one of former quarterback Jarin Morikawa’s top targets last year and went over 100 receiving yards three times as a junior.
“So we’ll be full go when we hit Campbell,” York said.
Sinn has been sidelined by injury so far this season and is slated to re-join a receiver corps that enjoyed a highly productive night against Waipahu.
Junior slotback Kainoa Wilson caught six passes for 120 yards, covering at least 20 yards on his first five receptions.
Senior Bronsen Ader had seven catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns, including a 32-yard connection with Robert Faleafine after a penalty pushed Mililani back to a first and 27 in the third quarter.
Even with Malepeai not suited up, Mililani established control on the ground to extend a 10-0 halftime lead. After a 26-yard completion from McKenzie Milton to Wilson, Dayton Furuta pounded out the last 24 yards on three consecutive carries and scored on a 12-yard run.
Faleafine and Milton, who split playing time, went a combined 9-for-11 on Mililani’s next two possessions, which ended with Faleafine’s 10-yard touchdown pass to Ader and Milton’s 11-yarder to Kalakaua Timoteo.
Pakelo Lee was Mililani’s primary option in the ground game and picked up 56 yards on 12 carries and scored the Trojans’ final touchdown of the night.
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