It was as simple as a touchdown can get — a 1-yard plunge up the middle for Mililani’s Vavae Malepeai that had much meaning.
His third rushing touchdown in a 71-28 win over Farrington on Thursday night was the 57th of an illustrious three-year career, breaking the record of 56 held by ‘Iolani’s Joe Igber that has lasted for 16 years. You can watch the record-breaking TD here: http://www.hawaiiprepworld.com/football/video-no-3-mililani-vs-no-6-farrington/.
Maleepeai has rushed for at least 20 touchdowns as a sophomore and a junior and is on his way to doing it again this season with 14 already in six games. He set the mark in his 30th game which is the same amount of games Igber played at ‘Iolani from 1997 to ’99.
“Records are records,” said Malepeai, an Oregon commit, while walking toward the South end zone locker room after the game. “It’s a team sport and I’m the guy running the ball into the end zone behind the guys doing all the blocking.”
Malepeai finished with 134 yards on 14 carries against the Governors and now has 3,243 rushing yards for his career. He needs 257 to become the seventh back to reach 3,500 in a career. Igber also holds the career rushing mark with 4,428 yards.
“We don’t think about records,” Mililani coach Rod York said. “Vavae is not thinking about records. When he’s up at Oregon, it will be something he can look back on and smile upon. You don’t get any extra points (in the game) or get paid any money for breaking records. It says a lot about the guys up front.”
Mililani’s 71 points are the most Farrington has given up in any game. The Trojans have scored at least 49 points in each of their first six games and are averaging 61.2 points per game total.
So awesome!!! Congratulations, Vae! Very proud of you )