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FOOTBALL
WAIANAE’S BACKFIELD: How do you neutralize one of the state’s most efficient defensive units, a squad that has allowed a paltry 15 points per game in running up an impressive 6-1 record? For Waianae, the answer came in the form of a triple-threat ground game in a stunning 54-41 come from behind upset over Mililani’s Trojans, who entered the OIA clash ranked third, to Waianae’s sixth. Puletua Wilson carried 10 times for 115 yards and three touchdowns, James Wilson 11 for 166 and a TD, and Keoni Napierla Rose ran 17 times for 103 yards and a touchdown. Waianae moved up the ladder to fourth in the CE Rankings.
JEREMY HIGGINS, Saint Louis: Jeremy Higgins continues to rock and fire -- the Crusader quarterback hasn’t been contained all season, and has averaged better than 280 yards in the air in leading his squad to an impressive 7-1 season. Last week’s foe, Division II Iolani, had already beaten up on two D-1 schools, but Higgins came out slinging and put the Crusaders on the board early. He was 15-20 for 283 yards, and threw TD bombs of 60, 36, and 29 yards. He also rushed for a 9-yard score.
JAHJE CANYON, Moanalua: Why throw when you have a one-man wrecking ball on the ground? Moanalua, third-ranked in Division II, threw only a handful of passes in its 32-30 win over unranked Kaiser, preferring instead to give to Tahje Canyon -- who made the most of the opportunity. Canyon carried 30 times for 279 yards, and busted through for three touchdowns (6, 16, and 35 yards) in carrying the Menehunes past a 14-7 halftime deficit.
CHARLES SPENCER, King Kekaulike: Tailback Charles Spencer had something to prove to staff and teammates after walking off the field in mid-game the previous week after a row with a teammate. After earning his way back to good graces with a steady diet of extra running and lifting during the week, he carried 23 times for 196 yards and scored two touchdowns in a 50-6 win over Kamehameha Maui.
WAYNE NAMAHOE, King Kekaulike: Namahoe muscled through for two close-range touchdowns (4, 3 yards) and had another tackle-breaking TD run of 42 yards in the KK’s 50-9 win over Kiamehameha Maui. He mounted 150 yards total.
ANDREW MANLEY, Leilehua: Sixth-ranked Leilehua (6-2) continues to ride the strong arm of Andrew Manley, who has established himself as one of the state’s top quarterbacks with his second spectacular season. Manley completed 17 of 23 in the Mules’ 38-8 win over Waipahu -- all in the first half.
TC CAMPBELL, Kamehameah: He wasn’t the quarterback everyone came to see in Kamehameha’s match with Division II Pac-Five -- that would have been PJ Minaya, who is on his way to setting a state passing record for most yardage. Campbell seized the day, hitting 13 of 19 for 240 yards and two touchdowns in a rousing 44-20 win. Kamehameha (7-1) moved to third in the D-1 rankings.
PJ MINAYA, Pac-Five: Another spectacular night for PJ Minaya, who threw for 348 yards in a 44-20 loss to Kamehameha. Minaya completed 27 of 58 on the night, and threw three touchdown passes.
LONDON AMORIN, Pac-Five: Amorin was all over the field in Pac-Five’s 44-20 loss to Kamehameha, with 7 receptions, 130 yards, and three touchdowns on the night.
HARRY TUIMASEVE, Farrington: Seemingly every time Farrington needed critical yardage in the Governors’ thrilling 20-17 win over Kaimuki, it was Tuimaseve who got the ball. He ran 24 times for 118 yards, and scored a touchdown in the win.
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