OIA Football
'Aiea tops Mililani in defensive struggle, 7-6


   



Fri, Sep 23, 2011 @ Aiea [ 7:00 pm ]


Final 1 2 3 4 T
Mililani (4-6-0) 0 6 0 06
Aiea (4-6-0) 7 0 0 07

AIEA - Aiea's Trevaun Sparrow-Dennis rushed for Aiea's only touchdown as a battle of defenses took place as the Na Ali'i defeat the Mililani Trojans in an OIA matchup on Friday night.

The Na Ali'i improves to 1-4 (2-4 Overall) record with a victory on Homecoming night at the Aiea High School Stadium.

"It feels great," said running back Trevaun Sparrow Dennis. "We've been working hard all season. We just look forward many more victories."

"Defense stepped it up for us," said Aiea Head Coach Wendell Say. "They did a good job. Our offense still needs some work, but overall we did a good job."

The Aiea defense forced a Mililani three and out on their first drive. Aiea drove down the field after the punt, but unable make the field goal on fourth down.

Mililani got the ball back, but once again the Aiea defense stepped up and forced another three and out.

On the ensuing drive with 3:50 left in the first quarter, a hand off to senior running back, Sparrow-Dennis gave the Na Ali'i their first points. Sparrow-Dennis cut his way through the Trojan defense for a 32 yd score.

"It felt really great," said Sparrow-Dennis. "I really thought I was going to go down. The defense had me but I just saw the cut back lane and I took it."

Sparrow-Dennis finished the game with 8 carries for 42 yards and one touchdown.
"He runs hard," said Say. "He shows a lot of heart every week."

The Trojans were able to capitalize on an Aiea mistake in the second quarter. A blocked punt set up Mililani inside Na Ali'i territory and Mililani quarterback Jarin Morikawa connected with wide receiver Deshawn Duncan-Benson for a 15-yard catch and run.

The score was 7 to 6 in favor of Aiea after a missed PAT by Mililani following the score by Duncan-Benson. The score remained the same until the end of the game. Mililani had a chance to take the lead on one of their final drives, but an interception thrown by Morikawa gave Aiea the ball with 1:05 left in the game.

"Got to give credit to 'Aiea," said Mililani Head Coach Rod York. "'Aiea did great, they won the game."

"It was a good win for us, said Say. "Our goal was to get better every week and we did a good job."

Aiea moves on to play next week against Radford while Mililani, dropping to 1-4 (2-4 Overall), plays Kapolei at John Kauinana Stadium.



Reach Aven Santiago at [email protected].




Show your support

Every contribution, no matter the size, will help ScoringLive continue its mission to provide the best and most comprehensive coverage of high school sports in the state of Hawaii and beyond.

Please consider making a contribution today.

ADVERTISEMENT


IMAGE GALLERY



MORE STORIES

Aiea downs Radford to claim first OIA D2 title since 2017

Na Alii led early and rapped out 13 total hits to pull away from the Rams to clinch their first OIA Division...

Pagampao powers No. 1 Mililani past No. 7 Kapolei for 12th OIA crown

The senior belted three home runs, including the go-ahead and game-ending blasts, to lead the Trojans...

Kapolei dethrones Campbell to set up OIA D1 title tilt with Mililani

The Hurricanes pulled away from the Sabers in the final frame while the Trojans held off a late charge...

Surfriders cash in on Na Alii miscues to claim 15th league crown, ninth under Ishigo

Kailua sent eight batters to the plate and scored five runs in a tide-turning bottom of the third inning,...

Waianae rolls past Radford to claim first OIA championship since 2017

Shysten Nagasako did work on both the mound and at the plate in the Seariders' mercy-rule shortened win...

No. 1 seeds Aiea, Kailua to face off for OIA Division I baseball crown

Na Alii posted a 3-1 win over Roosevelt behind Aidan Yoshida's complete game, while two pitchers combined...