No. 3 Mililani guts out 14-10 win over No. 2 Kahuku to improve to 6-0

MILILANI — Somehow someway, the Mililani Trojans found a way.

Third-ranked Mililani edged No. 2 Kahuku in a defensive battle, 14-10, Saturday night at John Kauinana Stadium in what was a rematch of last year’s OIA and state championship games.

Linebacker Isaiah Iosefa tallied 13 total tackles and had an interception return to the 1-yard line to set up the Trojans’ opening score while edge rusher Chevy Robinson notched a third-down TFL and a fourth-down sack late in the fourth quarter while the Red Raiders were in the red zone to help preserve the win.

“Our coaches just put into our minds that this is the game, this is the game that people want and this is the game that we want,” said Iosefa.

Both touchdowns that Mililani (6-0 overall, 2-0 league) came courtesy of the versatile slot receiver Lehiwa Kahana-Travis. He punched in the Trojans’ opening score with a 1-yard run and took a jet sweep handoff before firing a strike to Jonah “Tana” Togafau-Tavui for the go-ahead 58-yard score to give Mililani a 14-10 lead with 1:25 left in the third quarter.

The play that led to Kahana-Travis’ TD pass was the first time that the Trojans attempted it in a game, Togafau-Tavui said.

“We were working on that play Thursday. I didn’t think we were ever gonna run it. When they said ‘run it,’ oh, I knew we were gonna score and it was just a great throw from Lehiwa.”

After Mililani’s go-ahead score, the Red Raiders (4-3, 1-1) drove all the way to the Trojans’ 1-yard line where Kahuku faced third-and-goal.

But that’s when Robinson stood tall.

The Mililani senior was able to shoot into the backfield on third down and drop Malosi Fiatoa for a loss of three yards.

Robinson credited defensive line coach Mose Tuia with some advice before the play.

“He told me just shoot the gap, so I just went with it and I did what he told me to do and I shot the gap and made that tackle,” Robinson said.

Then on the very next play, Robinson finished off a quarterback sack that forced a turnover-on-downs after linebacker Mason Faoa made the initial pressure.

“He slowed down the quarterback and that’s where I got to finish the job. My boys on defense, we all just played with our heads on fire,” Robinson remarked.

Mililani, who will likely move up to No. 2 in the ScoringLive Power Rankings, host No. 1 Campbell next Saturday.