OIA Football Playoffs: Kahuku, Mililani Upset; Waianae Advances

Tonight
would prove to be a stunning night in OIA Playoff history.  Both
of the top seeds from the East and the West were upset on their home
fields and subsequently ending their seasons much earlier than anyone
expected.  Waianae managed to escape and keep their State playoff
hopes alive.

Kapolei Upsets Kahuku 14-7

The
tumultuous 2007 football season comes to a screeching halt for the Red
Raider football team.  The defending state champions suffer their
first home loss in almost a decade at the hands of Kapolei 14-7.

A
small minority of parents created a dissident movement to get head
coach Reggie Torres removed from his position earlier this month. 
E-mails and threats circulated the North Shore leading to meetings with
school and DOE officials, and a forced boycott of one practice by half
of the players.  The distractions finally took its toll.

The Kapolei defense came to play, holding the vaunted Kahuku running attack at bay.

“This is the biggest victory in our short history!” said Kapolei Coach Darren Hernandez. 

Kapolei advances to play Waianae next Saturday in the Semi-Finals at aloha Stadium.

Leilehua Defeats Mililani in OT

Not to be outdone, the Leilehua Mules upset the West #1 Seed Mililani 27-21 in overtime at Mililani high School.

These
neighboring rivals battled to a 21-21 tie at the end of
regulation.  The Trojans got first possession in overtime and
scored on a Colin Lund filed goal.  But a roughing the kicker
penalty was accepted by Head Coach Darnell Arceneaux and the Trojans
erased the points to get the possession and the opportunity to score a
touchdown.  Leilehua was able to stop them on 4th and goal.

The Mules then took their turn. Running back Bronson Pausa would score from 2 yards out to give the Mules the victory.

Leilehua
will play either Farrington or Campbell which plays tomorrow night at
Roosevelt Stadium.  That semi-final game will be next Saturday at
Aloha Stadium.  Mililani ends their season.

Waianae Survives

Out
on the Leeward Coast, Waianae prevented a 3rd upset by defeating
Kalaheo 12-6 in a defensive battle.  The Seariders will play
Kapolei in next Saturday�??s semi final game at 4:00p at Aloha Stadium.