Although Waianae has been hanging around the Top 10 rankings all year, and they’ve played convincing football on their way to a 5-3 season, the Seariders haven’t always gotten the respect of a top-tier team. Their last three wins came against unranked opponents, they were shut out 13-0 by third-ranked Kamehameha, and their three losses were telling.
They Seariders have apparently hit peak stride just in time for playoff contention, beating highly regarded Mililani with a savage blocking attack and a ground game that piled up 465 yards and seven touchdowns. In a muddy, physical contest, Waianae prevailed, 54-41.
From the opening whistle, Waianae pounded away, up the middle and slashing around both ends. They ran seven straight times on their opening possession before James Wilson scored a 14-yard touchdown. That drive covered 68 yards.
Wilson finished with 166 yards on 11 carries, and was one of three Searider backs in triple-digit yardage. Keoni Napierla-Rose carried 17 times for 103 yards, and Peletua Wilson scored three touchdowns on runs of 35, 22, and 51 yards on the way to 115 total on the ground.
By the end of the first half, Waianae had already rushed for 295 yards, and looked unstoppable, though led by only one touchdown, 27-20.
Mililani fell to 6-2 after its second straight loss, and the fourth consecutive game they’ve allowed 35 points or more. Though the Trojans made it interesting through the first half, and trailed 13-6 at the gun. They tied it after Taz Stevensen made one of several brilliant receptions and scored a six yard touchdown.
Stevensen caught seven passes for 78 yards, and carried twice for another 45 yards for Mililani.
Waianae answered decisively after James Wilson ran around right end in an electrifying 70-yard tackle-busting run, and Napierala Rose scored a 10-yard TD.
Waianae led 27-20 at intermission.
They put it away after Henry Medeiros streaked around left end for a 34-yard touchdown, and a 34-20 lead. After a timely interception by Guyson Amina, and a dazzling 55-yard return to the Mililani 5, Puletua Wilson aired a screen pass to James Wilson, who scored a 14-yard TD.
Waianae took control at that point, and outscored Mililani 21-6 in the third quarter.
The Trojans came back with two touchdowns in the final quarter, but fell short.
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