ScoringLive photo illustration

Purchase image 1 of 1

Sitani Mikaele

Farrington football  •   #7    

There was little getting in the way of Sitani Mikaele Friday night. 

The Farrington senior ran for a season-high 265 yards on 25 carries to lead his team to a successful homecoming night with its 40-9 win over then-No. 15 Leilehua. 

Governors coach Daniel Sanchez, a former running back himself, made sure that the Mules' defense got a heavy dose of the 5-foot-10, 238-pound Mikaele. He picked up 10 yards on the very first play from scrimmage and had six rushes for 66 yards by the end of the first quarter, including a 47-yard jaunt that set-up a Noah Spencer-to-Jacob Talamoa touchdown pass for the game's first score. 

"We usually script the first few plays, so we wanted to give Sitani the ball and see how the defense would line up against us, whether they would load the box or not, and then go from there," Sanchez said. 

Farrington's defense impacted the game early on with a pair of turnovers, including an 18-yard scoop and score by linebacker Kilinahe Aki that made it a 12-0 game.

"We were struggling a little bit offensively in the first half, (but the) defense gave us some turnovers," he said. 

Leilehua cut into the Govs' lead midway through the second quarter with a 6-yard Camren Flemister touchdown run, but Mikaele answered with a short plunge into the end zone of his own from three yards out a few minutes later. The touchdown was set up by back-to-back 26-yard completions from quarterback MJ Moreno to wide receiver Chansen Smith. 

Sanchez says that Mikaele's effectiveness in the run game has helped to alleviate much of the pressure upon Moreno and the pass game. 

"I think that helped out our offense tremendously. Now a lot of teams focus on our run, so we can go back and throw the ball here and there because they don't expect us to do it and having him opens up opportunities for guys like Chansen Smith and Jacob Talamoa. Even without Sitani in there, we put Ikaika (Kuaana-Lacno) in there and he gets huge gains, so it's a pretty good thing to have on offense," Sanchez said. 

The Govs built upon their 20-7 halftime lead with a seven-play, 70-yard drive to start the third quarter. Mikaele carried five times for 62 yards on the drive, including a 38-yard jaunt on the opening play and a six-yard scamper to move the chains on third-and-5. His 5-yard TD run with 6:02 on the clock stretched his team's lead to 26-7. 

"He just kept plugging away. He had those two-yard, three-yard gains, then he would break a 50-yarder, then go get that six, get that five, break another 20-yarder — just not giving up," Sanchez described, "believing in what we do and being patient and taking what they give you and seeing the openings and taking it."

Mikaele wasn't done yet. He set-up his own 34-yard TD run at the seven-minute mark of the fourth quarter with a 50-yard pick up three plays prior. With his team nursing a 32-9 lead, Mikaele gave way to Kuaana-Lacno the rest of the way. 

It was only after the game that Sanchez learned Mikaele finished nine yards short of Sanele Lavatai's school record for most rushing yards in a single game that he set 10 years ago. 

"Unfortunately I didn't know how close he was to beating the record. Had I known I probably would have put him in to break the record, but I didn't know," Sanchez lamented. 

Still, Mikaele was able to eclipse another milestone in the process. With his 265-yard night against the Mules, Mikaele has run for 1,004 yards on the season. The burly back is averaging 7.7 yards per rush and has accumulated 15 total TDs this fall. 

"Actually (last) week he said to me, ‘Coach, I'm gonna break the thousand-yard mark.' I said, ‘Dude, you need like 260 yards to break the thousand-yard mark,' but he was telling me that all week," Sanchez said. "I didn't doubt him or anything — I know that's a huge feat — but I didn't want to rain on his parade and then after the game we saw the stats, so that's pretty good. We haven't had a back rush for a thousand yards in a while, so having a back do that is a huge credit to our o-line and Sitani is one of those guys that he can play smash mouth and he can juke you out a little bit and make some moves."

Sanchez drew comparisons of Mikaele to a pair of former Pittsburgh Steelers. 

"I think for his size he has deceptive speed and shifty moves for a guy that big, kind of like a Jerome Bettis or Chris Fuamatu-Maafala type of guy that can run inside, but they can still be a little bit shifty on the outside," he said. 

A little closer to home, Sanchez likens Mikaele to a couple of former University of Hawaii running backs. 

"A little Joey Iosefa or Nate Ilaoa," he stated. "One of those big backs that can move and is very versatile. He has great hands and we haven't showcased it that much as far as putting him out there at slot, but he can actually get out there and play slot and catch the ball."

Mikaele's versatility allowed Sanchez to utilize him at defensive end in a matchup against Campbell last month that saw the Govs play without University of Wisconsin-commit Anelu Lafaele. 

"Anelu was out so we put him in there to get some playing time and he actually played pretty well," Sanchez said of Mikaele, who originally attended Kahuku, but transferred to Farrington late last school year from Rancho Cucamonga High in southern California. 

Sanchez recalled the first exchange he had with Mikaele during a summer workout. 

"We were on the field and running some inside zones and I didn't expect him to be that quick. He hit the hole and made some moves and he came back and was asking the right questions. That first on-the-field conversation kind of impressed me, like, 'This guy knows what he's talking about,' right off the bat. I thought, ‘This guy not only has the size, but he has the brains. This is a guy we can work with,' " Sanchez said. 

Since Mikaele has arrived at the Kalihi campus, all he has done is put in work. 

"The stats don't tell the hard work that he's done in the offseason with us, it doesn't show the practice effort he puts in, it doesn't show his leadership on the field as far as motivating the guys and being real grateful for the guys up front," Sanchez said. 

He went on, "I think what makes him special is he listens, he knows the game and he just wants to get better. He kind of reminds me a little of Challen Faamatau, that he wants the ball in his hands every play and that kind of guy is hard to find."

Mikaele's workmanlike approach has made his assimilation to a new school, as well as new teammates and coaches, an easy one. 

"I think the school embraced him. We welcomed him with opened arms — not only him, but all the guys that transferred in, the school really embraced them — and I hear it from them every day that ‘Farrington is just different,' " Sanchez said. "We don't have the best of reputations until you get on campus and you realize it's different. He might be one of the most popular kids in the school; He's low key, but they know who he is."

Mikaele's diligence extends into the classroom, where he has been working to keep his grades up with aspirations of playing college football. 

"He's getting some looks. A lot of schools have been showing a lot of interest and I think someone is going to give him an official (Division I scholarship) offer soon," Sanchez said. 

Last month, Mikaele picked up a D2 offer from Minot State (North Dakota). He has been offered preferred walk-on spots by both the University of Hawaii and just a few days ago, the University of Utah. Sacramento State, Boise State, Idaho and San Diego State are among the other schools showing interest.

To be sure, Sanchez has relished the opportunity to coach Mikaele this season. 

"He's real receptive to constructive criticism. Off the field, he's just a relaxed, fun guy to hang out with and our guys just gravitate to him and it's just a pleasure having him as a part of this program right now," Sanchez said. 

Mikaele and the 12th-ranked Govs (5-2 overall, 4-2 league) have wrapped up first place in the Oahu Interscholastic Association's Division I Group A standings and will have a bye into the semifinals of the six-team league tournament. 

FOOTBALL

Emery Abilla, Waialua — Threw for 264 yards and a touchdown on 18-of-28 passing without an interception in a loss to Kaiser 

Kilinahe Aki, Farrington — Made 5 1/2 tackles, including a sack, and scored on an 18-yard fumble return for touchdown in a win over Leilehua 

Timothy Arnold, Leilehua — Caught eight passes for 128 yards in a loss to Farrington 

Christian Asinsin, Nanakuli — Ran for 128 yards and a touchdown on 34 carries in a tie with Moanalua 

Germaine Bagasol, Waialua — Caught eight passes for 105 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Kaiser 

Jayce Bareng, Moanalua — Caught 10 passes for 126 yards in a tie with Nanakuli 

Ethan Bowden, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Ran for 118 yards and a touchdown on seven carries in a win over Pahoa 

Kama Corales, Moanalua — Caught three passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns in a tie with Nanakuli 

Trey Dacoscos, Pearl City — Threw for 303 yards and four touchdowns on 21-of-34 passing without an interception in a win over Kaimuki 

Vaaimalae Fonoti, Kahuku — Ran for 189 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries in a win over Campbell 

Teahi Fukumitsu, Kaiser — Made five tackles for losses and three sacks in a win over Waialua 

Davyn Joseph, Mililani — Caught six passes for 202 yards and a touchdown in a win over Kahuku 

Kaunaoa Kamakawiwoole, Saint Louis — Threw for 280 yards and three touchdowns on 19-of-27 passing without an interception and ran for a touchdown in a win over Kamehameha 

Iosefa Letuli, Kaimuki — Threw for 225 yards and two touchdowns on 15-of-28 passing without an interception and ran for a touchdown in a loss to Pearl City 

Willis Lilly, Farrington — Scored on a 45-yard interception return for touchdown in a win over Leilehua 

Keagan Lime, Kaiser — Caught nine passes for 128 yards and a touchdown in a win over Waialua 

Kahi Magno, Lahainaluna — Blocked a punt out of the end zone for a safety and recovered a blocked put in the end zone for a touchdown in a win over Maui 

Kini McMillan, Mililani — Threw for 457 yards and five touchdowns on 18-of-26 passing with two interceptions in a win over Kapolei 

Elijah Mendoza, Waipahu — Threw for 385 yards and four touchdowns on 27-of-33 passing with one interception in a win over Kailua 

Javian Mizuno, Pearl City — Caught five passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Kaimuki 

Breez Moore, Campbell — Made 11 total tackles in a loss to Kahuku 

Elijah Nahoopii, Waipahu — Made three tackles, broke-up two passes and scored on a 56-yard interception return for touchdown in a win over Kailua 

Cole Northington, Leilehua — Ran for 103 yards on 24 carries in a loss to Leilehua 

Garic Pahinui, Kailua — Scored on a 45-yard blocked punt return for touchdown in a loss to Waipahu 

Jonah Rittmeister, Kekaulike — Scored on a 71-yard punt return for touchdown in a win over Baldwin 

Onosai Salanoa, Mililani — Caught three passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Kapolei 

Eric Stephens, Waipahu — Caught seven passes for 136 yards and a touchdown and scored on an 84-yard kickoff return for touchdown in a win over Kailua 

Apolosi Toetuu-Kelekolio, Kaiser — Recorded three sacks in a win over Waialua 

Zion Vea, Farrington — Made six total tackles, including one for a loss, intercepted two passes and broke-up another in a win over Leilehua 

Jeremiah White, Kaimuki — Caught eight passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Pearl City 

Kalelepono Wong, Kekaulike — Ran for 107 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries in a win over Baldwin 

Jordan Yoro, Kekaulike — Ran for 110 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries in a win over Baldwin 

Adrianna Arquette

Kamehameha volleyball  •   #17  MB/OPP  Senior

To paraphrase her coach, Adrianna Arquette is a rare breed of athlete. 

Arquette, a 6-foot senior and fourth-year starter for the top-ranked Kamehameha girls volleyball team, put her diverse skillset on display last Thursday in a four-set win over then-No. 1 Punahou.

After dropping the first set 19-25, the Warriors (11-1) stormed back to win the next three, 26-24, 25-19 and 25-22, to hand the Buffanblu (11-1) their first loss of the year.

Arquette recorded a double-double with a team-high 18 kills to go along with 15 digs, second only to libero Ashli Lum. She took 44 swings and hit .273 for the match and also assisted on five blocks and registered one service ace. 

"She was all over the floor on defense," Kamehameha coach Chris Blake said. "She held down and did her job offensively, as she always does, but she began to be a little bit more assertive on the defensive end — from a right back position — and she understands the little things she can do and the importance of every touch."

The tightly-contested second set was closed out by four consecutive points by the Warriors to erase a 24-22 deficit. Arquette put away the final point of set 2, her fourth in the stanza and seventh of the match. 

Arquette further imposed her will in set 3, when she tallied five kills against just one attack error. She teamed with fellow-senior Tia Kapihe on a double-block to finish off the set. 

"Just like all the good ones, she seems to have another level. We work in our gym at practicing at that game speed and she's definitely found another notch up and then she not only does it for her, but she also ensures that she's bringing everyone up around her. She's one of those kinds of infectious types of personality and player who is able to do those things," Blake said. 

The fourth and final set saw Arquette put down six kills without an error as the Warriors pulled away from the Buffanblu down the stretch. 

"When it comes down to our end-game production, she understands that she's going to be counted upon and then to do her job — and she's done it pretty well so far this season. Punahou was not only keying on her, but they play amazing defense, so having to execute during those times is huge and she's been doing it pretty well," Blake said. 

Under Blake's direction, the Warriors have been among the very elite programs in the state. For a string of 19 consecutive seasons, they not only qualified for the state tournament, but reached the championship match. That streak ended last year, when the Warriors went 6-7 and missed out on the state tournament. 

Needless to say, there is no shortage of motivation for Blake's bunch this fall. 

"Our team is building. We have a long way to go, but the work ethic and the things that they do and knowing what happened last year of carrying that burden — we don't bring it up much — but we're led by our leaders and Adrianna is one of them," Blake said. 

Arquette has been diligent at improving her craft over the years. As a sophomore in 2021, she was voted All-Interscholastic League of Honolulu second team and received honorable mention All-Hawaii recognition. The following year, Arquette was tabbed first team All-ILH and third team All-Hawaii. 

As one of three fourth-year players for the Warriors — alongside Kapihe and Kalei Watson — Arquette has further leveled up her play this year. 

"She's been a really consistent factor us throughout the season. We talked to her coming from last season, which, of course was a disappointing one if you're looking at wins and losses, and her work ethic has been driving her even more this year," Blake said. 

"Last year she led our team in both attempts and kills from the middle and this year, not only with her stats, but her experience and the things she's seen, she's been really instrumental in our overall success. Even when the other teams know the ball is going to her, her being able to carry that load of responsibility is huge and she's handled it pretty well and she's always working to get better at it," he added. 

In addition to her durability, Arquette's versatility has been a luxury that Blake has fully taken advantage of over the years. Arquette's primary position outside of the high school season is setter. 

"She's going to UH-Manoa as a setter, but she really doesn't do too much of that for us. She does it when we need her to, but she doesn't really take reps as one of our primary setters, but she's been doing it in club for so long. She came in as a freshman as a setter, but she understood her role and accepted it and she understands that the team is first. She's pretty good at setting, but for the past three years we've been asking her to play middle and she's been a consummate team player," Blake said. 

Blake tweaked the lineup to another degree this year by utilizing both Arquette and Kapihe, another 6-footer, in hybrid roles. The duo have rotated as middles and as pin hitters. 

"Adri is just so versatile and so strong, both physically and mentally. She would probably be good at another other sport she tried. She's just so gifted that I believe that she was one of the best middles in the state, if not the best, the past two years, going on third and her skillset is so varied that it allows us to use her all over the court this season," Blake said. 

Much of Arquette's athleticism can certainly be traced to her genes. Her father played college football and her great-grandfather played professional baseball. Adrianna's older brother, Aiva, an infielder at he University of Washington, was a standout for both the basketball and baseball teams during his time at Saint Louis. 

"I don't know Aiva too well, but they share a lot of the same characteristics as far as being ultra-competitive and just making everything look so easy, but she's also one of the hardest workers in the gym, in the weight room, on the track and we've been working on her and how she can continue to grow as a player and she's taking all the things in and putting it into action; She's a pretty amazing scholar-athlete," Blake said. 

Arquette possesses a skillset that only comes around every so often, Blake notes. 

"She's definitely an athletic specimen. She's got quickness, explosiveness, power, agility and she has great court vision — she's always had that — and with her physical gifts, in the middle she's so quick. She's able to see all those things that are there and now we have her coming out of the right side and out of the back row, so we've been able to utilize her in different ways this year to our benefit," Blake said. 

The venerable coach and longtime science teacher at Kamehameha, has worked with hundreds of players who have gone on to play collegiately and even professionally over a decorated coaching career that includes 11 state championships at his alma mater. 

"I've been fortunate enough to coach a lot of great years, but Adri is definitely unique. Her mix of both strength, power and agility, as well as her work ethic, is definitely rare," Blake said, "and she still has a high ceiling; She still has a long way to go."

Arquette's quiet leadership and steady work ethic has gone a long way to setting a standard of expectation in the gym from her teammates. 

"Every once in a while she'll do some things in practice that has the coaching staff looking at each other and the players are like, ‘Whoa,' but then we ask her to do more things and she does it and I think the respect she has gathered from her teammates is just seeing the things she can do and putting in the work to do so," Blake said. 

With the win over Punahou, Kamehameha extended its winning streak to nine games and forced a one-match playoff for the ILH first-round title and one of the league's two state tournament berths.

Arquette and the Warriors will host the Buffanblu Thursday, 5 p.m. at Kekuhaupio Gymnasium. 

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Jamilyn Amina, Campbell — Had 17 kills, seven digs, one ace, one set assist and one-half block in a three-set win over Aiea 

Anae Asuncion, Mililani — Had 43 set assists, 11 digs, eight kills and one ace in a five-set win over Kapolei 

Sela Atualevao, Leilehua — Had 27 kills, 6 1/2 blocks and two aces in a four-set win over Waipahu 

Shay Beals, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Had 10 kills, 20 digs, two set assists and one block in a five-set win over Hilo 

Nohealani Beltran, Aiea — Had 12 kills, six digs, three aces and one-half block in a four-set loss to Waianae 

Rella Binney, Punahou — Had 47 set assists, 10 digs, four kills, one block and an ace in a four-set loss to Kamehameha 

Makalani Carey, Seabury Hall — Had 11 kills and 10 digs in a three-set win over Lanai 

Leina Chu, Hawaii Baptist — Had 32 set assists, seven digs, two kills and one-half block in a three-set win over Sacred Hearts 

Sofia Connor, Seabury Hall — Had 17 kills in a three-set win over Lanai 

Sharla Domingo, Leilehua — Had 45 set assists, 11 digs, three kills and three aces in a four-set win over Waipahu 

Kealohi Dudoit, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Had 35 digs in a five-set win over Hilo 

Annie Filisi, Leilehua — Had 18 kills, six digs, five blocks and two aces in a four-set win over Waipahu 

Maela Honma, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Had 34 kills, 17 digs, one set assist and one-half block in a five-set win over Hilo 

Larrynn Joseph-Rodrigues, Waianae — Had 20 kills, one ace and one-half block in a four-set win over Aiea 

Kaila Kalama-Bajet, Damien — Had 14 kills and five aces in a four-set win over Iolani II 

Kaliko Kealoha, Hilo — Had 32 kills, 17 digs and one-half block in a five-set loss to Kamehameha-Hawaii 

Danbury Kealoha-Bates, Kapolei — Had 21 digs and an ace in a five-set loss to Mililani 

Savai Kilaulani, Campbell — Had 13 kills, 14 digs, two set assists and one ace in a three-set win over Aiea 

Halimaileaulii Kuamoo, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Had 52 set assists, seven digs, four kills, two aces and one block in a five-set win over Hilo 

Emma Lilo, Kamehameha — Had 41 set assists, 12 digs, three aces, two kills and one-half block in a four-set win over Punahou 

Ashli Lum, Kamehameha — Had 19 digs, five set assists and one ace in a four-set win over Punahou 

Naya Martinez, Maryknoll — Had 19 digs, three set assists and three aces in a three-set win over Le Jardin 

Haumea Marumoto, Punahou — Had 21 kills, 1 1/2 blocks and one set assist in a four-set loss to Kamehameha 

Marisa Nakata, Hawaii Baptist — Had 18 kills, seven digs, two aces and one-half block in a three-set win over Sacred Hearts 

Aundrea Oventine, Maryknoll — Had 10 kills, 25 set assists, two digs, three aces and one-half block in a three-set win over Le Jardin 

Kayla-Jane Padayao, Campbell — Had 35 set assists, 15 digs, two aces, one killl and one block in a three-set win over Aiea 

Jet'aime Paio, Sacred Hearts — Had 13 kills and 11 digs in a three-set loss to Hawaii Baptist 

Leila Paraoan, Kapolei — Had 17 kills, three digs and one set assist in a five-set loss to Mililani 

Kailia Phillips, Waialua — Had 12 kills and 11 digs in a three-set win over Radford 

Malinah Purcell-Telefoni, Kapolei — Had 22 kills, one dig, one block and an ace in a five-set loss to Mililani 

Alexis Rodriguez, Mililani — Had 19 kills, 14 digs and 1 1/2 blocks in a five-set win over Kapolei 

Anny Scott, Kapolei — Had 55 set assists, nine digs, two kills, one ace and one-half block in a five-set loss to Mililani 

Cali-Jo Shigemasa, Punahou — Had 21 digs and three set assists in a four-set loss to Kamehameha 

Malulani Tandal, Hilo — Had 29 digs, two set assists and one ace in a five-set loss to Kamehameha-Hawaii 

Shereya Ufuti, Kaiser — Had 21 kills in a four-set win over Roosevelt 

Lulu Uluave, Punahou — Had 12 kills, 21 digs and one block in a four-set loss to Kamehameha 

Kaleinani Watson, Kamehameha — Had 14 kills and 11 digs in a four-set win over Punahou 

Kenna Wengler, Damien — Had 35 set assists and three kills in a four-set win over Iolani II 

Caitlin Wong, Hawaii Baptist — Had 12 kills, 13 digs and two set assists in a three-set win over Sacred Hearts