This was a rarity.
A team voted No. 1 by coaches and media even with new faces at key positions. Now, after a clutch 31-24 win over Liberty (Nev.), the question is purely positive for the Mililani Trojans: is there a limit to their potential?
Their 6-foot-5, nationally rated wide receiver, Zion White, scarcely played before injuring an ankle. Their new quarterback, Hunter Fujikawa, will only grow more comfortable and decisive with each passing week. Already, the former Punahou slinger has excellent chemistry with receivers like Bless Cabrera-Hopkins.
“We have trials and tribulations. We always fight at practice. We have people getting injured, but we always bounce back. Next brother up, man. We stay together,” said Cabrera-Hopkins, who corralled eight passes for 148 yards and two touchdowns. “Our D-line, our front seven is the best in the state, I’m telling you right now. I trust my brothers. They trust me.”
Every little detail matters in the sum total.
“Our new coach, Chauncey Alo, he came in and helped us with getting right with our bodies, our mental state, our discipline,” Cabrera-Hopkins said. “I feel like that helped our brothers as a group collectively. We really bonded together through that in the offseason. We took that seriously. I give it all to him, and to God and my brothers.”
A 35-yard reception by Cabrera-Hopkins set up the go-ahead TD run by Toa Sam. A few snaps later, defensive lineman Lincoln Uiagalelei came through with a win-sealing interception.
“It’s not about personal glory. It’s about the team. We saw that on film. Just watching film all week. When the guard touches your back, that’s a screen. I tried to take it to the house,” Uiagalelei said. “You saw that last year when I caught a tuddy (touchdown) from Bless. These hands are certified.”
White was at IMG Academy for a year before transferring back home and rejoining his former Punahou teammate, Fujikawa. He hurt his ankle while hurdling over a defender.
“It’s good. It’s a part of the game. I just rolled it a little bit,” said White, who rated the pain level a 4 out of 10. “Saint Louis, I’ll see you next week. It’s about winning. It’s about our team.”
At Kunuiakea Stadium, a constant mist one day before the arrival of Hurricane Lala created conditions conducive to ground-and-pound football. Orem, the No. 5 team in Utah and No. 1 in 5A, scored one offensive touchdown and let its special teams and defense take care of the rest in a 16-7 win. Two Kamehameha turnovers proved pivotal in the Tigers’ road win.
So did the uncanny timing of Brooks Ross, who raced in to snag a wobbly toss by Rock Speredon that went over the head of an Orem receiver near the goal line. Ross’ 21-yard TD reception turned a three-point game into a 16-7 lead with 9:37 left.
“I was running and I came on the post. I looked back for the ball and I saw my quarterback scrambling,” Ross said. “Scramble drill, the ball’s squabbling. I had to go make a play. Jump for it, yes sir.”
Orem had a pick-6 early on by Javoni Halalilo, and nearly added two more interceptions while getting big jumps on Kamehameha sideline-heavy passing routes. What worked a week earlier against Farrington was less effective against Orem.
“We knew coming in these guys have legit length and athleticism that would create some issues here and there. We expected it. We prepared for it. We have to execute better. We can’t turn the ball over,” Kamehameha coach Kaeo Drummondo said. “We’ve got to grow. We’ve got to learn. We’ve got to get better.”
Hawaii Prep World
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