By Timothy Leoncio
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Avenging last year’s tough loss to the Leilehua Mules, the Trojan varsity football team captured an overwhelming victory, scoring 44 points to Leilehua’s 14, with the help of the energized spirit of the school campus at homecoming game on Sept. 7.
“I just want to say thank you to all the students, teachers, and faculty that work with the football team, it’s just awesome,” said Head Coach Rod York, “It was just the way we played, the kids executed, they did well and the scoreboard says it all.”
Right from the get-go, the team put on a show for the homecoming crowd, scoring a 25-yard touchdown within the first 30 seconds of the game. “It just shows that the offense is ready and they’re here,” said Safety Senior Ian Namu, “We’re ready to play in the first half instead of just coming out in the second.” Keeping the pressure on, the offense was able to score five more touchdowns over the course of the game, getting the points after touchdown (PAT) on four of them.
Running Back Sophomore Vavae Malepeai, despite returning to the field after suffering from a collapsed lung two games prior, played efficiently, scoring three touchdowns and running a total of 126 yards which is in line with his current season average of 124.5 yards a game. “I do feel like I’ve healed fully,” said Malepeai, “(I did) alright. (We’re) just executing our assignments, sticking together as a team, not getting big-headed, not getting too cocky, just sticking to our game-plan.”
The team started to pull away from Leilehua in score after the first quarter, with the score at halftime being 30-7 in favor of Mililani. Much of the team’s success was due to the support they had from the school itself; from the performance of the marching band and color guard, to the faculty and staff generating school spirit all throughout homecoming week with activities. “Honestly it starts with the school,” said York, “I think it starts from the top with (Principal) Fred Murphy and it trickles to our teachers, our faculty, and you see it come to the forefront with our student body, whether you’re a football player or not.” Namu added, “It’s homecoming, (I) can’t be happier.”
The players were proud of their win, but did not lose focus on improving their game. Malepeai stated, “You have to get better every day, just not be satisfied, never be satisfied. You always got to be hungry and humble like Coach York says, trying to get better every day.”
The coaching staff are concentrated on continuing the team’s success for the upcoming playoffs. “We’re not done yet, I hope we get that crowd, not just at homecoming night, but every night, and definitely when we hit playoffs,” said York.
While celebrating their homecoming victory, the varsity team has not taken their eyes off of the OIA tournament and focuses on performing well for the rest of the season.
