At 6-0, Mililani holding strong atop Lasquero’s latest HS Football rankings

At 6-0, Mililani holding strong atop Lasquero’s latest HS Football rankings

Sep 22, 2026

At 6-0, Mililani holding strong atop Lasquero’s latest HS Football rankings

Mililani QB Hunter Fujikawa celebrates with RB Toa Sam after the Trojans took a late lead over Liberty (NV). | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Michael Lasquero gives his Top 25 best teams in the state heading into the eighth weekend of the Hawaii High School Football season.

1. Mililani (6-0)

Previous rank: 1

Last week: beat No. 3 Kahuku, 28-6

This week: vs. No. 2 Campbell Saturday

Analysis: Without their top two receivers, the Trojans adjusted accordingly and featured junior RB Toa Sam with the former Red Raider running for a season-high 111 yards and two TDs against his former team. Junior DL Kalai Nihipali led the defense with eight total tackles, 2.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks while DB Nui Gilman and LB Toa Satele each forced a fumble. Saturday’s game against the Sabers is without question the game of the week.

2. Campbell (5-1)

Previous rank: 2

Last week: beat No. 22 Kailua, 64-7

This week: at No. 1 Mililani Saturday

Analysis: Senior DB Isaiah Chong forced a fumble, intercepted two passes and scored a defensive score as the Sabers picked up their fifth straight win of the season. The ground game also contributed five scores as all three running backs found the end zone. Senior QB Dallas Carter will look to get some redemption this weekend as he takes on his former team.

3. Kapolei (4-1)

Previous rank: 4

Last week: beat No. 15 Leilehua, 42-0

This week: at No. 23 Kailua Saturday

Analysis: The Hurricanes got back into the win column over the weekend with a revamped passing game that saw three different quarterbacks combine for 299 passing yards and three scores. Senior WR Ha’alilio Lemamea-Oto was the beneficiary of the conscious decision to air ir out with four receptions for 104 yards and one TD. Senior LB Kaimana Sione had himself a day with 10 total tackles and a sack in the win over the Mules.

4. Kahuku (3-3)

Previous rank: 3

Last week: lost to No. 1 Mililani, 28-6

This week: vs. No. 18 Leilehua Saturday

Analysis: Starting with the positives, the Red Raiders do deserve credit in holding the high-powered Mililani offense to its lowest scoring output so far of the season. The reason why Kahuku moves down however is because its last win was in the month of August. The Red Raiders will have plenty of opportunity to move up the ranks in the coming weeks based on what the teams ahead of them do.

5. Waipahu (5-1)

Previous rank: 5

Last week: beat No. 9 Aiea. 49-21

This week: vs. No. 9 Waianae Friday

Analysis: Senior RB Tristan Pacheco rushed for 194 yards and two TDs on just 10 carries as the Marauders avenged last season’s loss to Aiea with a big win. Friday’s homecoming game against Waianae will probably be Waipahu’s biggest test before the postseason.

6. Kamehameha (2-4)

Previous rank: 6

Last week: idle

This week: at No. 10 Saint Louis Saturday

Analysis: The Warriors resume regular season play this weekend with an afternoon game against Saint Louis in what is a potential trap game. Kamehameha was able to get better production offensively the last time it saw the field so we’ll see if it can carry over against the Crusaders.

7. Punahou (1-3-1)

Previous rank: 7

Last week: idle

This week: vs. Cardinal Newman (California) Saturday

Analysis: The Buffanblu will try to snap a three-game losing streak with a non-conference game against the visiting Cardinals from Santa Rosa.

8. Kapaa (2-1-1)

Previous rank: 8

Last week: beat Kauai, 37-0

This week: idle

Analysis: Senior ATH Kaitin Mundon threw for 137 yards and two TDs as the Warriors resumed KIF play with their second straight shutout victory by scoring the most points in a game so far this season. Senior DL Siotame Malafu routinely got into the backfield in the win with two sacks and a blocked punt that resulted in a safety.

9. Waianae (4-0)

Previous rank: 11

Last week: beat No. 19 Moanalua, 36-0

This week: at No. 5 Waipahu Friday

Analysis: The Seariders earned their second straight shutout win of the season and did all their scoring in the first half as sophomore RB Maxumus Quon-Kaleiopu ran for 157 yards and four TDs on just nine carries in the victory over Na Menehune. Waianae will put its undefeated streak on the line this weekend when it travels to Waipahu.

10. Saint Louis (0-5)

Previous rank: 10

Last week: lost to St. John Bosco (California), 63-21

This week: vs. No. 6 Kamehameha Saturday

Analysis: The Crusaders held their own in the first half against a nationally-ranked team in their first game since parting ways with head coach Tupu Alualu. Sources tell me that the school is also replacing both offensive and defensive coordinators so there is some element of surprise when Saint Louis begins ILH play this weekend. Yes, Saint Louis is 0-5 and questionably a Top 10 team, but there is still a possibility they pull out a win against Kamehameha. If not, they will drop in next week’s rankings.

11. KS-Hawaii (4-1)

Previous rank: 12

Last week: beat Hilo, 56-0

This week: vs. Keaau Friday

Analysis: Sophomore QB Kahekili Makekau completed 6 of 6 passes for 213 yards and five TDs in the Warriors’ first shutout win of the season.

12. Konawaena (3-1)

Previous rank: 13

Last week: beat Keaau, 61-0

This week: at Hilo Friday

Analysis: Senior DL Zane Fujihara-Faavesi made seven total tackles, with six of them coming behind the line of scrimmage in the Wildcats’ second straight shutout win of the season. Freshman ATH Kailewa Silva-Kealoha also helped the effort with his second straight game with multiple interceptions.

13. Aiea (3-0)

Previous rank: 9

Last week: lost to No. 5 Waipahu, 49-21

This week: at Radford Friday

Analysis: Senior WR Cason Brooke caught eight passes for 129 yards and two TDs in what was Aiea’ first setback of the season. Na Alii had no problem moving the ball and even out-gained the Marauders offensively, but they did give up over 200 yards on the ground, allowing 12.1 yards per rush attempt. Aiea will have pair of winnable matchups the next two weekends before a harder stretch to end the season.

14. Iolani (4-1)

Previous rank: 14

Last week: idle

This week: vs. No. 16 Damien Friday at Farrington

Analysis: The Raiders get into their regular season schedule this weekend against the Monarchs in a televised game on OC16.  Iolani has not won a game against Damien since 2023, losing the previous six meetings.

15. Baldwin (5-1)

Previous rank: 17

Last week: beat Lahainaluna, 27-19

This week: vs. Maui Friday at King Kekaulike

Analysis: Lahainaluna’s revamped passing attack had the Bears on upset alert early on before junior WR Ryan Coppa took over with eight receptions for 187 yards and three TD in the televised win. Senior LB Jaystin Perreira also made his presence felt with 11 total tackles in the victory.5

16. Damien (2-3)

Previous rank: 16

Last week: idle

This week: vs. No. 14 Iolani Friday at Farrington

Analysis: The Monarchs have won their previous six meetings against Iolani and is riding some momentum with two straight wins heading into the matchup.

17. Farrington (2-4)

Previous rank: 18

Last week: beat Radford, 28-0

This week: at Nanakuli Saturday

Analysis: The Governors are starting to turn things around after losing four games to start the season with a shutout performance over the Rams. Getting a win this weekend against the Golden Hawks will show whether or not Farrington has what it takes to make the league playoffs.

18. Leilehua (0-4)

Previous rank: 15

Last week: lost to No. 4 Kapolei, 42-0

This week: at No. 4 Kahuku Saturday

Analysis: The Mules had another tough loss in Open Division play over the weekend against Kapolei. Things don’t get any easier when they travel to the North Shore this Saturday to take on the Red Raiders.

19. Nanakuli (2-3)

Previous rank: 20

Last week: beat Roosevelt, 30-0

This week: vs. No. 17 Farrington Saturday

Analysis: Junior QB Allix Yap accounted for three total scores as the Golden Hawks got back into the win column with their first shutout win of the season. This weekend’s game against Farrington is a pivotal matchup that has playoff ramifications if Nanakuli wants to make the postseason tournament.

20. Kalaheo (4-0)

Previous rank: 21

Last week: beat No. 24 Pearl City, 37-28

This week: at Waialua Thursday

Analysis: The Mustangs continue to roll through the competition after picking up a crucial win against Pearl City over the weekend. Kalaheo has already played some of the top teams in the OIA Division II schedule so it’s very likely that the team will be undefeated at the end of the regular season.

21. Moanalua (2-4)

Previous rank: 19

Last week: lost to No. 11 Waianae, 36-0

This week: at Roosevelt Friday

Analysis: Na Menehune was shutout for the first time this season in a game where the Seariders did all their scoring in the first half. Fortunately for Moanalua, the winless Rough Riders are up next on the schedule so expect the team to bounce back into the win column this weekend.

22. KS-Maui (4-1)

Previous rank: 23

Last week: beat King Kekaulike, 31-7

This week: vs. Kulanihakoi Friday

Analysis: Junior RB Xander Pagan rushed for 120 yards and three TDs on just 12 carries in the Warriors’ win over Na Alii. They are in the heart of the MIL Division II schedule now so it’s very likely that the Warriors will win the remainder of their regular season games before the state tournament.

23. Kailua (0-4)

Previous rank: 22

Last week: lost to No. 2 Campbell,  64-7

This week: vs. Kapolei Friday

Analysis: It was another tough one for the Surfriders in a battle between last year’s Division I state champion and last year’s Open Division state champion. Senior DB Honor Kept made four tackles and intercepted a pass to lead Kailua in the loss.

24. Kaiser (3-1)

Previous rank: 25

Last week: beat Kaimuki, 48-8

This week: at No. 25 Pearl City Friday

Analysis: Sophomore RB Ivan O’Malley had his best game of his career with 86 yards rushing and three TDs on just nine carries in the Cougars’ homecoming win over the Bulldogs. This weekend’s game against the Chargers will likely determine home field advantage when the two teams likely face off in the league semifinals.

25. Pearl City (4-1)

Previous rank: 24

Last week: lost to No. 21 Kalaheo, 37-28

This week: vs. No. 24 Kaiser Friday

Analysis: The Chargers took the early lead against the Mustangs, but gave up 23 straight points in the second quarter and never recovered from the first-half deficit as the two teams traded scores the rest of the way. Junior WR Kaze Teixeira caught five passes for 27 yards and two scores to give Pearl City a fighting chance.

Roosevelt debuts brand new gym with four-set win over Kalaheo

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MAKIKI — There was no scenario where the home team didn’t win this match. Roosevelt made sure the first contest in its new gymnasium was a victory as the Rough Riders came away with a four-set win over visiting Kalaheo Wednesday night in an OIA Division-I East...

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Kalaheo holds off Pearl City in heated matchup of OIA D2 contenders

Kalaheo holds off Pearl City in heated matchup of OIA D2 contenders

Sep 20, 2026

Kalaheo holds off Pearl City in heated matchup of OIA D2 contenders

Kalaheo DL Diego Lemes celebrates towards the crowd after another defensive stop for the Mustangs. | Photo Credit: Riley Guillermo, HSRN

PEARL CITY – Mustangs move fast.

Behind another big night of production on the ground and an opportunistic defense, the Kalaheo varsity football team got some regular season revenge against the Pearl City Chargers with a 37-28 victory on Saturday night.

In a rematch of the 2025 OIA Division II semifinals, the Mustangs (4-0, 3-0 league) leaned on a rushing attack that racked up 230 of the offense’s 263 total yards and four of the team’s five total touchdowns.

Air Force RB commit Marquez Mellor, who entered the weekend with nearly 700 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground across three games, paced Kalaheo with 21 carries for 71 yards and two scores.

Kalaheo QB Loch Moorman tallied 20 yards passing and a touchdown through the air across his three completions on the night. The senior also added 47 yards rushing in the victory.

Pearl City (4-1, 2-1 league) started out hot, forcing two early punts before getting on the board first with a 24-yard TD strike between QB Jayden Delos Santos and WR Maiaku Lii with 3:21 left in the opening quarter.

Kalaheo answered back moments into the second frame with Moorman’s lone touchdown pass of the night, hitting WR Drew Taylor on a 16-yard scoring connection to knot the game between Division II contenders up at 7-7.

The Mustangs promptly forced a three-and-out following the score and Mellor broke free two plays later for a 20-yard rumble to the endzone to put the visitors in front for the first time with 9:23 left in the first half.

Things went from bad to worse for Pearl City on the next drive, getting nothing offensively as the Kalaheo defense forced another fourth down deep in Chargers territory. The ensuing snap sailed over the punter’s head and out of the back of the endzone for a safety, extending the lead to nine for the Mustangs.

The teams traded turnovers (fumble by Moorman, interception by Delos Santos) before Kalaheo pulled out some trickery to set up a 27-yard TD run for Storm Kane, taking a 23-7 lead with 2:40 remaining before halftime.

Kalaheo’s Storm Kane breaks through the defense. | Photo Credit: Riley Guillermo, HSRN

With the help of a couple of personal foul penalties against the Mustangs, Pearl City pushed down the field quickly with a two-minute drill offense and brought the game back within one possession as WR Kaze Teixeira hauled in the first of his two TD receptions with 20 seconds left in the half.

Kalaheo took control back as the third quarter trickled down with the help of the team’s second interception of the night, seeing Nalu Mendiola pick off QB Brydan Gaoiran and return the ball back inside the Pearl City 10-yard line.

The Mustangs capitalized three plays later as Mellor mashed his way into the endzone for the second time, putting the visitors up 30-15 with under five minutes to play in the third.

Pearl City punched back again, needing just over three minutes to march down the field before Alohi Gaspar capped off the drive with a six-yard TD run to make it a 30-22 deficit.

Pearl City RB Alohi Gaspar trickles around the edge. | Photo Credit: Riley Guillermo, HSRN

The Kalaheo running game took over in the fourth, gashing a tired Pearl City defense for multiple runs of 10+ yards before ATH Zayne Farley finished off another scoring drive with a 14-yard sprint to the endzone that made it a two-possession game again with 6:11 left to play.

Pearl City made it interesting with Teixeira’s second TD catch of the game with 3:14 remaining, but a failed two-point conversion kept it a two-score game before Kalaheo’s ground game closed out the road win.

QB Jayden Delos Santos ended the night completing 18-of-24 passes for Pearl City, racking up 155 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in the loss. Chargers RB Cole Reason finished with 10 carries for 35 yards while WR Maiaku Lii led the WR room with five receptions for 39 yards and a score.

Kalaheo will look to keep cruising next weekend when they visit Waialua (2-3, 1-2 league) while Pearl City hopes to bounce back when they host Kaiser (3-1, 2-1 league) on September 25.

PHOTOS BY RILEY GUILLERMO

Molokai’s Jordyn McCutcheon went Rogue and became a record-setter

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HONOLULU – College decisions can be hard, especially in Hawai’i. Plenty of students think they want to leave the islands after high school. Tons of others want nothing more than to attend one of the prestigious colleges located in their home state...

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Miles away in North Dakota, Rapozo still keeps Kauai in his heart

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Mililani Stays Perfect, Tops Kahuku 28-6 in OIA Open Division Matchup

Mililani Stays Perfect, Tops Kahuku 28-6 in OIA Open Division Matchup

Sep 20, 2026

Mililani Stays Perfect, Tops Kahuku 28-6 in OIA Open Division Matchup

Mililani running back Toa Sam (7) fights through the Kahuku defense during the Trojans’ 28-6 OIA Open Division victory over the Red Raiders. | Photo Credit: Andrew Lee, Special to HSRN

MILILANI — Mililani didn’t need many opportunities to do damage Saturday night.

The Trojans averaged nearly eight yards per play, struck for touchdowns of 21, 33 and 71 yards and kept Kahuku out of the end zone for the entire second half in a 28-6 OIA Open Division victory.

Photo Credit: Andrew Lee, Special to HSRN

Trojans Find the Explosive Plays

Toa Sam gave Mililani an early advantage with a pair of first-quarter touchdown runs, including a 21-yarder that made it 14-0. But it was the Trojans’ ability to create big plays through the air that helped keep Kahuku from climbing back into the game.

After Lucky Suguturaga connected with Jameel Dowling for Kahuku’s lone touchdown in the second quarter, Mililani answered with Hunter Fujikawa’s 33-yard touchdown pass to Hayden Bajet to take a 21-6 lead into halftime.

The Class of 2028 quarterback, who holds multiple offers from Power 4 programs, completed 12 of 18 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 11.2 yards per attempt.

His biggest connection came in the fourth quarter when Ashton Grace turned a Fujikawa pass into a 71-yard touchdown, putting the game out of reach.

Grace finished with 81 yards on three catches, while Bajet had three receptions for 43 yards.

Photo Credit: Andrew Lee, Special to HSRN

Mililani Makes More of Its Opportunities

The contrast showed up in the final numbers.

Kahuku ran 57 plays to Mililani’s 49, but the Trojans finished with a 388-246 advantage in total offense and averaged 7.9 yards per play compared to Kahuku’s 4.3.

Sam provided the steady production underneath the explosive passing game, carrying 20 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Mililani finished with 187 rushing yards overall.

Kahuku found some success on the ground with 126 yards, but sustained drives were harder to come by. Suguturaga finished 13-of-25 for 120 yards and a touchdown as the Red Raiders were held scoreless after the second quarter.

Mililani improved to 6-0 overall and 2-0 in OIA Open Division play, while Kahuku dropped to 3-3 overall and 0-1 in league play.

Photo Credit: Andrew Lee, Special to HSRN

PHOTOS BY ANDREW LEE / @ANDREWLEEHI

OIA OPEN DIVISION STANDINGS (Sept 20, 2026)

Team League Overall
Campbell 2-0 5-1
Mililani 2-0 6-0
Kapolei 1-1 4-1
Kahuku 0-1 3-3
Kailua 0-1 0-4
Leilehua 0-2 0-4

Get the latest standings at ScoringLive.

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From Aiea to North Dakota, Colburn brothers continue football journey together

From Aiea to North Dakota, Colburn brothers continue football journey together

Sep 19, 2026

From Aiea to North Dakota, Colburn brothers continue football journey together

VALLEY CITY, N.D. — For Chad and Champ Colburn, football has always been something they did together.

Now, thousands of miles from their Aiea home, the brothers are living out a shared dream at Valley City State University, an NAIA school in North Dakota.

Chad, a year older than Champ, arrived at Valley City State first. A sophomore defensive back, he helped open the door for his younger brother, who joined the Vikings this season as a freshman receiver.

“It feels great,” Chad Colburn said. “We’ve been playing together our whole life and it feels super good to be at the next level. We were always pretty overlooked our whole life and now we made it here together so it’s pretty good.”

For Champ, the opportunity represents another step in a journey that began on the football fields of Aiea.

“It’s just been a journey,” Champ Colburn said. “We made it this far and we just got to keep competing at the next level. It’s a blessing to be here and be able to play together.”

The Colburn brothers are part of a growing contingent of Hawai’i players at Valley City State. More than a dozen players from the islands are on the Vikings’ roster this season, providing a familiar connection for players making the transition from Hawai’i to the mainland.

The connection to home runs even deeper for the Colburn brothers.

Their father, Chad Colburn Sr., has been a constant source of motivation throughout their football careers. Their grandfather, Bobby Craig Keli’i Colburn, was a respected coach and member of the Aiea community before his passing in 2012.

The brothers still call him Papa.

“I think a lot of it goes to our dad,” Chad said. “He really pushed us our whole life. Every time, he tells us workout, three times a day. He never lets us rest and I feel like that’s a big reason to why we got here together.”

The brothers also credit Aiea coach Mika Li’ili’i for helping prepare them for the next level.

“Having coach Mika in high school, Coach Mika was really good for us,” Chad said. “He really helped us improve a lot.”

Representing Aiea remains important to both brothers, especially knowing what their grandfather meant to the community.

“We love to put Aiea on the map, that’s where my family is from,” Chad said. “My Papa did a lot for the community so it’s good to represent him.”

Champ remembers his grandfather in much the same way.

“Our Papa, he was a good guy,” Champ said. “He was always a good coach for everyone in the Aiea community and his goal was for us to make it to the next level and go college and represent our family so it means a lot for us to be here right now.”

Finding a path to Valley City State

Chad earned Second Team All-OIA honors at defensive back in 2024 before graduating from Aiea in 2025.

The 5-foot-10, 150-pound sophomore is majoring in software engineering at Valley City State.

His path to North Dakota came through Vikings offensive coordinator Dustin Yorek, who serves as the program’s primary recruiter in Hawai’i.

Chad said playing at an NAIA school was a goal as he approached his senior season.

“My senior year, I was really looking forward to getting to a NAIA at least, because D3 was kind of out of the price range,” Chad said. “Once I seen Valley City, I really liked how it looked so I was trying to get in contact with coach Yorek.”

Yorek eventually reached out, and the conversations led to an opportunity.

“I just been talking with him a lot and then he finally gave me the chance and just happy to have it,” Chad said.

That opportunity eventually extended to Champ.

When Yorek visited the Colburn family, he met Champ and began recruiting him as well.

“When coach Yorek came by to my house to meet my family, he met Champ and ever since, they’ve been in contact and it’s really good, thankful for him,” Chad said.

Champ arrived after putting together a standout senior season at Aiea.

The 5-foot-8, 150-pound receiver earned First Team All-OIA honors in 2025 after catching 70 passes for 950 yards and six touchdowns.

“It was great because coaches really believed in me and I just had to put in the work and put my name on the map,” Champ said. “It just feels good making it this far getting all this exposure. I just got to keep working.”

Adjusting to a new world

For Chad, getting to college football was only the beginning.

The transition from Hawai’i to North Dakota brought a new school, a new football system, new teammates and a climate dramatically different from home.

Valley City State coach Dennis McCulloch, known as “Coach Mac,” said the adjustment can be difficult for any freshman or first-year college player.

“Chad last fall, it was hard,” McCulloch said. “It’s not an easy adjustment to tell anybody that comes over here that this is a really easy adjustment to college. It doesn’t matter where you go to college, it’s homesickness, away from family, all the things that are going on, where you are on the depth chart early on, it’s hard.”

Chad experienced those challenges firsthand.

“For me, just playing with new people, playing in a new system and playing in different weather,” he said. “It’s a lot different in Hawai’i. Eventually it’s going to be like under 40 degrees when we practice. That was rough last year, it takes some getting used to, but it’s a good experience.”

Rather than allowing the adjustment to push him away, Chad embraced it.

“What Chad has done, he’s embraced it,” McCulloch said. “He’s stuck with it and taken a step in a positive way to working his way onto the field.”

And now, his younger brother gets to experience that same environment with him.

For McCulloch, Chad’s experience was an important part of Champ’s decision to follow.

“First of all, Chad has to have a good experience that Champ would want to come here, right, that he feels comfortable enough to have that happen,” McCulloch said. “So I think that’s a big positive piece.”

The brothers also provide each other with a familiar source of competition.

“It’s also fun to see those two go against each other,” McCulloch said. “That’s always a tough challenge when you have to go against your brother. It’s a fun little competition piece of it.”

For two players who have shared the field for most of their lives, the competition is nothing new.

What is different is the setting.

Instead of Aiea, they now line up in North Dakota, carrying their family name, their hometown and their grandfather’s legacy with them.

And they are doing it together.

For Chad, the message to other Hawai’i players hoping to make the same journey is simple.

“Don’t listen to what other people have to say,” he said. “Just focus on yourself and you’ll eventually get there when you believe yourself.”

Champ has a similar message.

“It just comes with believing in yourself and working hard as much as possible and you’ll get there when you get there,” he said. “Just keep trusting the process.”

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Nānākuli Shuts Out Roosevelt, 30-0, for First League Win of the Season

Nānākuli Shuts Out Roosevelt, 30-0, for First League Win of the Season

Sep 18, 2026

Nānākuli Shuts Out Roosevelt, 30-0, for First League Win of the Season

Nānākuli’s Kaiehu Iokia (31) carries the ball against Roosevelt during the Golden Hawks’ 30-0 OIA Division I win Friday night. | Photo Credit: Rilley Guillermo, HSRN

HONOLULU — Nānākuli picked up its first OIA Division I victory of the season Friday night, turning in a dominant defensive performance while quarterback Allix Yap accounted for three touchdowns in a 30-0 win over Roosevelt.

The Golden Hawks improved to 1-2 in league play and 2-3 overall, while the Rough Riders fell to 0-2 in the OIA and 0-4 overall.

Photo Credit: Rilley Guillermo, Special to HSRN

Golden Hawks Take Control Early

Yap put Nānākuli on the board with an 8-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter before the Golden Hawks broke the game open with 14 points in the second.

Kaiehu Iokia scored on a 5-yard run with 11:10 remaining in the half, and Yap later connected with Zhyrisen Kahalekai for a 16-yard touchdown to give Nānākuli a 21-0 advantage at the break.

The Golden Hawks delivered the biggest play of the night early in the third quarter. Yap found ʻIlikea Ho’ohuli for a 75-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 28-0. A fourth-quarter safety provided the final two points.

Nānākuli quarterback Allix Yap (14) breaks into the open field against Roosevelt during the Golden Hawks’ 30-0 OIA Division I victory Friday night at Roosevelt. | Photo Credit: Riley Guillermo, Special to HSRN

Yap Leads Efficient Nānākuli Attack

Yap finished 16-of-28 for 217 yards and two touchdowns through the air while adding 16 rushing yards and a score. He also converted all four of his extra-point attempts.

Hoohuli led Nānākuli with 82 receiving yards on three catches, highlighted by the 75-yard touchdown. Duke Mier Jr. added five receptions for 79 yards, while Kahalekai caught five passes for 52 yards and a score.

Iokia led the ground game with 55 yards and a touchdown on his lone recorded carry.

Defense Slams the Door

Nānākuli’s defense kept Roosevelt off the scoreboard and held the Rough Riders to just 101 yards of total offense and 2.0 yards per play.

Roosevelt finished with minus-2 rushing yards while Nānākuli forced an interception and capped the shutout with a fourth-quarter safety.

The Golden Hawks outgained the Rough Riders 325-101, averaging 7.4 yards per play on the way to their first league win of the season.

Nānākuli linebacker Ezekiel Lawelawe (4) celebrates a defensive stop against Roosevelt. | Photo Credit: Riley Guillermo, Special to HSRN

PHOTOS BY RILEY GUILLERMO / @RTV.PRODS

OIA DIVISION I STANDINGS (Sept 18, 2026)

Team League Overall
Waianae 2-0 4-0
Waipahu 3-0 5-1
Farrington 2-1 2-4
Aiea 1-1 3-1
Moanalua 1-2 2-3
Nanakuli 1-2 2-3
Radford 0-2 1-4
Roosevelt 0-2 0-4

Get the latest standings at ScoringLive.

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Discipline driving Kalaheo’s Marquez Mellor on and off the field

Discipline driving Kalaheo’s Marquez Mellor on and off the field

Sep 17, 2026

Discipline driving Kalaheo’s Marquez Mellor on and off the field

The numbers are hard to ignore.

Through three games, Kalaheo running back Marquez Mellor has rushed for 694 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 12.2 yards per carry. The Class of 2027 Air Force-commit has helped the Mustangs open the season 3-0 overall and 2-0 in OIA Division II play.

But if you ask Mellor what has fueled his fast start, he is unlikely to point first to his speed or strength.

For the 5-foot-10, 185-pound senior — it starts with discipline.

It is the discipline to take care of his responsibilities in the classroom. The discipline to train year-round. The discipline to recover from an injury. The discipline to stay humble after success — and eventually, the discipline to serve something bigger than himself.

That mindset has followed Mellor throughout his football journey and has become especially important as he begins a new chapter at Kalaheo.

“I’m feeling great,” Mellor said of the Mustangs’ 3-0 start. “I’m very happy that we came out with these first three games as a W. We’re going to stay humble, keep grinding.”

The results have followed.

Mellor opened the season with 137 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries in a 59-7 victory over Hawaii Prep Academy. He followed that with 256 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries in a 48-7 win over Kalani.

Marquez Mellor celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Kalani. | Photo: Adam Hufstetler

After a bye week, he exploded for 302 yards and five touchdowns on just 14 carries in a 56-27 victory over Kaiser.

Yet Kalaheo coach Jaymason Lee sees more than a productive running back.

“He’s the first one to tell you that every big run starts up front and finishes on the outside,” Lee said. “He gets the headlines, but he knows those yards belong to all 11 guys on the field.”

That willingness to put the team ahead of himself is something Lee said defines Mellor.

“He runs hard, but he plays for the team and he’s the first to give credit to the linemen digging in the trenches and the receivers downfield throwing those extra blocks,” Lee said. “That’s what this program is built on. Playing for the guy next to you, taking care of one another and doing the unseen work that makes us successful as one team.”

Mellor’s approach is rooted in lessons learned from his family and his faith.

His father, Chris, coached Kalaheo from 2006-11 and later taught at the school from 2012-23. Mellor’s older sisters, Christyn and Alanna, also graduated from Kalaheo.

Chris Mellor helped coach the Mustangs with Lee during the offseason and now serves as an on-call offensive consultant during the season.

Returning to Kalaheo after helping Kailua make history last season was not an easy decision.

Marquez Mellor runs the ball for Kailua in the 2025 OIA Division I championship game against Aiea. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

Mellor helped the Surfriders win the OIA Division I championship and the school’s first-ever state football title. He rushed for 1,165 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior and earned First Team All-Hawaii honors from ScoringLive.

“It wasn’t easy,” Mellor said of leaving Kailua. “Kailua was a great home for me, but I felt this calling to come play for my dad and the legacy that we have built here.”

The move was about more than football.

“I think we got a good program going,” Mellor said. “I think we got a great season coming up. We got to stay humble, keep working. The job’s not finished.”

A 4-month-old Marquez Mellor plays with a Kalaheo football helmet, where his dad served as head coach at for a few years. | Courtesy photo Chris Mellor

That same philosophy applies to Mellor’s academics.

He has a 4.0 grade-point average, and his father said Marquez has never received a B on his report card.

Mellor views his academic success not as an accomplishment separate from athletics, but as another responsibility that must be handled.

“Student-athlete, student comes first,” Mellor said. “You got to handle your responsibilities and my parents have given me so many amazing opportunities, so doing good in the classroom and setting myself up in a position of success is the least I can do for them and myself.”

His discipline has also been tested away from the classroom and football field.

Mellor competes in track and field, where he has personal bests of 11.16 seconds in the 100-meter dash, 22.62 in the 200 and 49.53 in the 400.

But his junior track season ended earlier than he wanted when he pulled his hamstring shortly before the state finals.

Instead of allowing the setback to derail him, Mellor spent much of the summer rehabbing and preparing to return for football.

“It was a lot of adversity,” Mellor said. “I wasn’t in a good place, but I stayed level-headed. I had to trust in God and I was able to do rehab and get back out to summer training for football pretty fast.”

That ability to remain focused through setbacks is part of what he believes will help him at the next level.

Mellor committed to the Air Force Academy, where he will have the opportunity to play Division I football while pursuing another lifelong goal.

“I always wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself,” Mellor said. “I’ve always wanted to be a pilot as well, so being able to play Division I football, I’m grateful for that opportunity.”

Marquez Mellor takes part in a flight simulator during an official visit to Air Force. | Courtesy Photo

His path to Kalaheo included stops at Saint Louis and Kailua, experiences that he says helped shape the person he is today.

“Saint Louis has always been a home for me,” Mellor said. “They got the brotherhood over there. I made some of my lifelong friends. I’m super appreciative of those guys.”

He also credited Saint Louis with helping strengthen his faith.

“Being in that Catholic school was amazing, praying at the start and end of every class,” he said. “It was amazing, but God had a different plan for me and I’m grateful that he brought me here.”

That faith is woven into how Mellor approaches football, school and his future.

It is also evident in one of his interests away from both.

Mellor taught himself how to cut hair and now cuts his friends’ hair for free while accepting donations. He shares his work on Instagram at @kez.clips.

Marquez Mellor taught himself how to cut hair and has slow turned the skillset as a way to earn extra money. | Courtesy Photo Chris Mellor

Throughout the process, barbering taught Mellor something that translates directly to being a teammate.

“As a barber my biggest goal is to make the client feel confident and happy, so I always want to boost my teammates,” he said. “We can’t have that negativity bringing us down, so we always got to be that helping hand, that pat on the back when we need to boost our brothers up.”

For Mellor, confidence and discipline go hand in hand.

“Half the battle is mentally and believing that you can win is going to get you halfway there,” he said. “Then you got to go out on the field and execute.”

That is the balance Mellor is trying to maintain as the attention surrounding his performance continues to grow.

The next test comes Friday when Kalaheo travels to Pearl City in a pivotal OIA Division II matchup. Pearl City enters the game 4-0 overall and 2-0 in league play, setting up a meeting between two undefeated teams competing near the top of the standings.

For Mellor, it is another opportunity to put his discipline to work.

“We’re going to see what God has in store for us,” he said. “But we’re going to keep working.”

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