Konawaena's Chanlle Molina led the Wildcats in kills in each of their four matches on Oahu, including a match-high 28 in the title game against Hawaii Prep. Evan Asato | SL

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Mililani quarterback McKenzie Milton scored three touchdowns three different ways and accounted for 188 yards of total offense in the 37-6 win over Farrington. Evan Asato | SL

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Male Athlete of the Week: McKenzie Milton, Mililani football

McKenzie Milton has had to grow up quickly this football season.

Just a year ago, Milton was a freshman quarterback on the junior varsity and watching Jarin Morikawa set numerous passing records for the varsity squad. Fast forward a year and Milton has not only taken over the starting quarterback job, but taken the Trojans to where they have been just once before: an Oahu Interscholastic Association championship.

In the Red Conference title game Friday night, Milton had a game for the ages. He scored three touchdowns three different ways and accounted for 188 yards of total offense in the 37-6 win over Farrington at Hawaiian Airlines Field at Aloha Stadium.

Milton scored on a 52-yard run in the first quarter, caught a 23-yard touchdown pass in the second and threw a 24-yard scoring strike in the third. He had 88 rushing yards on five carries and completed 9 of 11 pass attempts for 77 yards.

"It was pretty cool, it was a dream come true, in fact," said Milton, who is 5-foot-11 and 150 pounds. "I've always dreamt of playing in (Aloha) Stadium and being able to play for Mililani."

It was the second consecutive week that the Trojans played Aloha Stadium. They beat Kahuku in a semifinal game a week earlier in Halawa. Milton said he had to overcome a little bit of nerves when Mililani ran out of the tunnel and onto the field just before kickoff.

"It seems like the field opens up at the stadium," Milton said. "Last week we played a good Kahuku team and we wanted to continue carrying all the momentum into that game (Friday)."

Milton flashed some athleticism on his long touchdown run, which made the score 9-0 with one minute and 11 seconds left in the first quarter. He avoided an oncoming Farrington defender in the backfield, maneuvered his way through his blockers and outran everyone down the right sideline for the 52-yard score.

"A lot of times, it happens really fast, so you've just got to react and my offensive line does a fantastic job of giving me time," said Milton, who has four rushing touchdowns on the year. "I just react and try and make a play, I guess."

Late in the second quarter, Milton lined up wide right of the formation at receiver with backup Robert Faleafine at quarterback. Milton beat the defensive back downfield and Faleafine delivered a perfect pass near the back of the end zone. Milton hauled in the pass and got his feet in for a touchdown before falling to the turf.

Just minutes into the second half, Milton put the Trojans up 30-0 with a nicely-placed pass to the South end zone for Kalakaua Timoteo, who came up with the touchdown grab.

Milton says he has learned from the mistakes he has made earlier this season — namely an interception he threw in the end zone against Campbell that was taken back for a 100-yard touchdown return and a safety he gave up against Leilehua when he stepped out of the back of the end zone.

"You're always going to make mistakes, but part of it is learning, which helps me in becoming a better quarterback and you always will have to get better," said Milton, who has completed 60 percent (104 of 171) of his passes for 1,329 yards with 13 touchdowns against four interceptions. "I try to keep a level head because I might make a bad play on one play, but once it's done, can't do anything about it, so I try to remember that the most important play is the next play."

To be sure, Milton has benefitted from a talented offensive line, sure-handed receivers and a stellar running back in Vavae Malepeai.

"It makes my job a lot easier, that's for sure," said Milton, who still gets amazed when Malepeai totes the rock. "I just laugh when he runs, because he makes guys look foolish. He's unbelievable, we're blessed to have him."

Milton said the early-season competition with Faleafine ultimately made him a better player.

"It's been great for Rob and I — we love each other and he's like an older brother for me," Milton said. "It sucks that only one of us can play, but Rob's a great quarterback, too. (The competition) helped me grow not only as a quarterback, but as a football player, a leader and a teammate. I gained confidence knowing that coach York trusts in me."

When the 2012 football season wrapped up, Milton was the beneficiary of some private tutoring from Morikawa, who is now at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

"He helped me in the offseason learn the offense, learn all the reads and we got to be pretty close, I think," Milton said. "Jarin was unbelievable last year, just watching him play, I was in awe. He's a role model, somebody that I look up to."

Milton and the Trojans have a bye this week as the No. 2 seed in the First Hawaiian Bank/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division I State Championships. They will play the winner of Friday's first-round game between Campbell and Hilo in a semifinal game on Nov. 15 at Aloha Stadium.

Female Athlete of the Week: Chanelle Molina, Konawaena girls volleyball

On the hardwood is where Chanelle Molina is at home.

Whether it's a volleyball match or a basketball game, Molina is likely to make an impact. Which is what the sophomore did once again last week in leading Konawaena to its first New City Nissan/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division II Volleyball State Championship.

Molina, a 5-foot-6 outside hitter, led the Wildcats in kill in each of their four matches on Oahu, including a match-high 28 in the title game. She took 83 swings in the match against Hawaii Prep, which Konawaena won in four sets, and also recorded 20 digs to go with two blocks and an ace.

"She stepped up to be one of the leaders and really ignited the fire for us," first-year Wildcats' coach Ainsley Keawekane said. "She's one of my captains and she's a great leader by example."

Molina had 18 kills, 13 digs and a block in a semifinal win over Waimea Thursday and 28 kills, seven digs and five blocks in a quarterfinal upset of No. 1 overall seed University High. She was voted as the tournament's Most Outstanding Player by the media.

"We weren't afraid of having to play the No. 1 seed," said Keawekane, who runs the Ho'opa of Hawaii club team of which Chanelle Molina and her sister, Celena, are members. "We're a team just like them and we were hungry just like them. I told them to go out and have fun, don't worry about your mistakes or playing the No. 1 seed because it's just a number. We just want to control the game in that 30 (foot) by 30 space."

Keawekane said he can still recall when the Molina sisters first joined his club some five years ago.

"When they walked into my gym, they came with their parents and not long after that I asked the mom 'Where did the kids play?,'" Keawekane said. "They already had skills, but she said 'No, this is their first time playing." So I asked her 'Where did they learn to bump and set the ball with their hands?' and she said by watching the (University of Hawaii) Rainbow Wahine play on TV."

It was that foundation of natural athleticism that Keawekane built upon for the next five years.

"They love the game, so it's easy for me to teach somebody who loves the game," Keawekane said. "I just tred to fine-tune their mechanics — defensively, they could pass and digs balls. I remember thinking 'I hope they stick it out, because they really could prosper in this sport."

As good as she is at volleyball, it is probably her second-best sport, according to Keawekane. As a freshman, Molina was the starting point guard on the D1 state runner-up Konawaena girls basketball team.

"I think she can play at the next level in either sport," Keawekane said. "I have taken her on the road with me for tournaments and had scouts ask me about her for volleyball and I know the other coaches that have people ask her about basketball."

The Wildcats returned home Saturday — with championship trophy in hand — to a hero's welcome.

"We had some people greeting us at the airport, holding signs, and spectators as we came off the plane and as we walked through the airport, people were clapping for the kids," Keawekane said. "Friday night the football team also played against HPA and the (athletic director) announced our score. The football team was down then, and they came back to win — from 16 points down at halftime. I guess after the announcement that our kids won states, they got pumped and they had to do it as well."

For a long time the East side of the Big Island was considered to be the volleyball hot bed, but Keawekane said he is trying to help close the gap.

"Usually the East side of the island has a lot more volleyball going on," Keawekane said. "On the West side, we're the only volleyball club on this side of the island. It's just been an ongoing situation with the West side trying to compete with the East side, not just in club volleyball, but high school volleyball, too. You just need a core group of kids that are willing to work harder than everybody else — like this group — and that, for me, is very rewarding to see a lot of my club kids excel right now.

AIR RIFLERY
Justin Gray, Waiakea — Won the individual boys' state title with 537 total points at the Civilian Marksmanship Program/HHSAA State Championships

Natalie Hata, Maryknoll — Won the individual girls' state title with 548 total points at the Civilian Marksmanship Program/HHSAA State Championships

BOWLING
Nicholas Azumi, Pearl City — The senior won the individual boys' state crown with 1,905 total pins and helped the Chargers to a team title at the Billy Tees/HHSAA State Championships

Chelsi Morishige, Pearl City — The sophomore won the individual girls' state crown with 1,747 total pins and helped the Chargers to a team title at the Billy Tees/HHSAA State Championships

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Angel Alameda, Hilo — The senior libero was selected to the All-Tournament Team of the New City Nissan/HHSAA Division I State Championships.

Adora Anae, Kahuku — The senior outside hitter was selected to the All-Tournament Team of the New City Nissan/HHSAA D1 State Championships.

Gabbie Ewing, Hawaii Prep — The junior outside hitter was selected to the All-Tournament Team of the New City Nissan/HHSAA D2 State Championships.

Silerolia Gaogao, Moanalua — The junior outside hitter was selected to the All-Tournament Team of the New City Nissan/HHSAA D1 State Championships.

Tiyana Hallums, Kamehameha — The junior outside hitter was selected to the All-Tournament Team of the New City Nissan/HHSAA D1 State Championships.

Jordyn Keamo, Mililani — The senior setter/outside hitter was selected to the All-Tournament Team of the New City Nissan/HHSAA D1 State Championships.

Sarah Liva, Mililani — The senior middle blocker was selected to the All-Tournament Team of the New City Nissan/HHSAA D1 State Championships.

Malia Luis-Mateo, Saint Francis — The junior outside hitter was selected to the All-Tournament Team of the New City Nissan/HHSAA D2 State Championships.

Faith Maafala, Kamehameha — The senior setter was named to the All-Tournament Team of the New City Nissan/HHSAA D1 State Championships

Celena Molina, Konawaena — The freshman outside hitter was selected to the All-Tournament Team of the New City Nissan/HHSAA D2 State Championships.

Tiana Reynolds, Hawaii Prep — The senior outside hitter was selected to the All-Tournament Team of the New City Nissan/HHSAA D2 State Championships.

Alohi Robins-Hardy, Kamehameha — The senior setter/opposite was named Most Outstanding Player of the New City Nissan/HHSAA D1 State Championships

Ela Seier, Konawaena — The senior libero was selected to the All-Tournament Team of the New City Nissan/HHSAA D2 State Championships.

Kiana Tuileta, Punahou — The junior setter was selected to the All-Tournament Team of the New City Nissan/HHSAA D1 State Championships.

Keahelaumakani Wall, Konawaena — The senior setter was selected to the All-Tournament Team of the New City Nissan/HHSAA D2 State Championships.

Kawena Warren, Waimea — The senior middle blocker was selected to the All-Tournament Team of the New City Nissan/HHSAA D2 State Championships.

FOOTBALL
Blake Cooper, Pearl City — The senior running back/linebacker scored a rushing touchdown, made eight tackles and intercepted a pass in OIA White title-game loss to Kaiser

Ofa Fahiua, Hilo — The junior linebacker intercepted two passes, returned one 30 yards for a touchdown, forced a fumble and had a sack in BIIF Division I title-game win over Kealakehe

Filou Fisiiahi, Kaiser — The senior running back/linebacker rushed for 81 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries and recovered a fumble in OIA White title-game win over Pearl City

Dayton Furuta, Mililani — The senior linebacker/running back made seven tackles, including a sack, and scored on a touchdown run in OIA Red title-game win over Farrington

Parker Higgins, Kaiser — The sophomore linebacker tied for a team-high seven tackles in OIA White title-game win over Pearl City

Aaron Kesi, Farrington — The senior linebacker forced forced and recovered a fumble, which he returned for a 72-yard touchdown in OIA Red title-game loss to Mililani

Thomas Leong, Kaiser — The senior running back ran for 157 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries in OIA White title-game win over Pearl City

Vavae Malepeai, Mililani — The sophomore running back ran for 104 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries in OIA Red title-game win over Farrington

Kierren McGhee, Pearl City — The senior wide receiver caught two passes for 113 yards, including an 82-yard touchdown pass in OIA White title-game loss to Kaiser

Canaan Saole, Kaiser — The senior defensive back made seven tackles, including two sacks and forced and recovered a fumble in OIA White title-game win over Pearl City

Alapati Scanlan, Pearl City — The senior defensive lineman had four tackles, including a sack, and forced a fumble in OIA White title-game loss to Kaiser

Nic Tom, Kaiser — The sophomore receiver scored on a 50-yard kickoff return in OIA White title-game win over Pearl City

Kaimana Wilson, Mililani — The junior linebacker had a game-high 11 tackles in OIA Red title-game win over Farrington