Leilehua shakes off slow start to cruise past Pearl City

MILILANI – Complimentary football was on display in win No. 4 for the Leilehua girls flag football team.

The Mules shook off a scoreless first quarter by recycling four interceptions into three scores in a 27-0 win over Pearl City at John Kauinana Stadium Friday night.

It was Leilehua’s second shutout of the OIA season as it improved to 4-0 behind the two-way ability of Madi Powell, who recorded two interceptions and caught two touchdowns. Powell was selected as HSRN’s ‘VIP of the Game,’ presented by Fun Factory Games.

“She’s a baller,” Leilehua coach Bryant Moniz said of Powell. “I was fortunate I had Madi play for me when she was like 12. Even with the boys, she was the best on the team. I’m fortunate to have her.”

Moniz, a former quarterback at the University of Hawai’i, credited his players’ work ethic in the Mules’ wining streak.

“The girls worked hard everyday, whether it’s weights, practice, whatever it is they come out with a ‘yes coach’ attitude every time and they’re relentless,” Moniz said.

Moniz’s daughter, Cali Moniz-Kealoha, is also on the team playing the same position he did during his time on the Mules and Rainbow Warriors. She accounted for three scores in the air and ran in the first TD of the game.

“It’s so awesome. I tell everybody everyday it’s such a blessing. I’m so fortunate just to be able to be on the same field with my daughter,” Moniz said.

“She’s grown up around the sport, she was in diapers when I was at UH so to see it come full circle and seeing her play the position, it’s been a dream.”

Leilehua was unable to score on its opening two possessions and nearly had a score when Aulii Coelho got behind the Pearl City defense.

After not coming up with the grab, Coelho made good on the miscue with an interception on defense early in the second quarter. A catch by Powell took the Mules near the goal line to set up Moniz-Kealoha’s keeper for the first TD. For the conversion, Powell caught a short hitch pass off of an RPO to put Leilehua ahead 7-0.

On the ensuing possession, Powell came up with an interception over the middle to give Leilehua the ball back. After using jet sweeps and short passes for the early part of the game, Moniz-Kealoha uncorked a deep pass down the left sideline to Maci Rivera to give Leilehua a 13-0 lead.

“It was a slow start for us in the beginning but we bounced back,” said Powell.

“On defense, we got two picks to get the ball back and just scored on every opportunity we had. Couple drop balls, but it’s a part of the game and we just pick each other up and go from there.”

An interception by Naia Huest-Hauki gave Leilehua another takeaway to start the second half that led to Powell’s first receiving TD. Powell also caught another score in the fourth quarter and had another interception in the final period of play.

A snap into the back of the end zone resulted in a safety for Leilehua for the final point total of 27-0.

The Chargers (4-0) didn’t quit despite being outmatched, with Mia O’Sullivan coming down with an interception while the Mules were in the red zone.