McGary, Leilehua bust through Iolani


In his second game returning from an injury, Leilehua RB James McGary rushed 28 times for 225 yards and three TDs. CJ Caraang | SL

WAHIAWA — No. 11 Leilehua scored 24-unanswered points in the second half to pull away from No. 9 Iolani, 31-20, in an OIA-ILH Division I interleague game at Hugh Yoshida Stadium Saturday night.

"It's an opportunity to feel good about ourselves. This is going to be a good measuring stick for us not because of their record, but what they bring: their lineage, their history, coaching staff and type of players. We were able to manage and compete with them and it went back and forth," Leilehua coach Mark Kurisu said on the win.

James McGary led the charge with 225 rushing yards on 28 carries and three scores to help Leilehua win their fourth-straight game to improve to 4-1 overall (3-0 OIA).

"I was coming back from an injury and I wanted to get my stats back up. I still got a few more weeks and should be good by then. I'm still going to play hard and ball out," McGary said as he played his second game of the season after recovering from a hand injury.

"They put double coverage on our receivers and we knew we would have to run it. The o-line blocked like crazy and James hit some holes hard," Kurisu said of the running game.

Breaking the 200 yard rushing mark may come at a price for McGary.

"I told them (the o-line) if I get over 200 (yards) tonight, I'll take you to McDonald's. I don't get paid a few weeks from now. When I found out, I'm like, dang I got to take you, but that's what I got to do, I'm a man of my word," McGary said.

The Raiders dropped their second game in a row after coming off a non-league 7-0 loss to Clackamas (Oregon) to fall to 3-2 overall (2-1 league).

After Mika Makekau missed a 32-yard field goal, McGary took his fifth carry and evaded Iolani defenders for an 80-yard touchdown to put Leilehua up, 7-0.

"I did what they asked me to do and did my job," McGary said.

Makekau finished her night going 2 for 2 on PATs and made two 30-yard field goals as the Raiders trailed, 7-6.

Kyler Mento intercepted Max Nichols and two plays later Jonah Chong threw a 7-yard touchdown to Jonah Miyazawa to reclaim the lead, 13-7.

Chong finished with 309 passing yards and two scores without an interception. Favorite targets Carter Kamana had 14 catches for 143 yards and Miyazawa hauled in nine passes for 91 yards.

Iolani had an opportunity late in the first half to pad their lead but turned it over on downs on the Mules' 12 yard line. The Raiders only punted once in their six offensive drives in the first half.

"We had a slugfest going at it. Fortunately we executed better in the second half," Kurisu said.

Leilehua turned the tide in the second half after Cy Acohido recovered Kaua Nishigaya's fumble and the Mules went to McGary five straight times before he found the end zone three yards out to reclaim the lead, 14-13.

"I told coach to run the ball the whole time and that's what we did and we scored," McGary said.

"To be able to manage Nishigaya in the second half, we didn't stop him, he got his yardage, but to not let him get his explosive plays made it easier for us," Kurisu said.

The Mules took over on their own 34 after Iolani turned it over on downs late in the third quarter. Nichols (111 passing yards) threw a 42-yard touchdown to Jeremy Evans, who recorded a team-high 91 receiving yards.

Akoni Tom-Makue blasted a 41-yard field goal and finished 4 for 4 on PATs.

Iolani turned over on downs for the third time and McGary broke out for 10 and 33 yard gains late in the fourth and capped the drive with his third touchdown to cement the game.

Chong threw a 28-yard touchdown to Wailoa Manuel with 30 seconds left for the final score of the night.

Leilehua hosts another uptempo offense in Moanalua in a battle of undefeated OIA Division I teams on Friday, Sept. 14.

Iolani plays Damien in an Interscholastic League of Honolulu contest in the second game of a triple header at Aloha Stadium on Sept. 15.



Reach Brandon Ching at [email protected].