Leilehua WR Mikal Peyton caught 10 passes for 86 yards and 2 scores in a comeback win over Mililani. ScoringLive file photo

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Mikal Peyton doesn't mind doing the dirty work.

Although his teammate, Allan Racette, played the role of hero in Leilehua's 40-33 win over Mililani Friday night, Peyton was just as outstanding, finishing with team highs of 10 receptions for 86 yards and two touchdowns.

"I thought Mikal did great. Maybe he didn't have the yardage, but he came up with a lot of nice catches for us," said Mules' interim head coach Mark Kurisu.

Peyton, a senior wide receiver, caught scoring passes of 8 and 12 yards - both in the second quarter - but perhaps his most important grab came inside of the game's final minute.

The Mules began their game-winning drive at their own 20-yard line with one minute and 20 seconds left. After a completion for no gain on first down, quarterback Kenan Sadanaga's second-down pass fell incomplete to set-up third-and-10. Sadanaga connected with Peyton for a 9-yard pick-up to leave fourth-and-1.

Operating out of the no-huddle offense, Leilehua lined up to go for it, despite being at its own 29-yard line. Sadanaga took the shotgun snap and threw a low pass in Peyton's direction. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Peyton made a spectacular diving catch on the play, getting his arms beneath the ball as he hauled it in from Sadanaga. The play went for a 7-yard gain and set-up the go-ahead 16-yard touchdown pass from Sadanaga to Racette four plays later.

"(Before) the fourth-down play, the coaches just looked at each other and gave the nod and we went for it with no hesitation," Kurisu said. "It's a credit to the players that their coaches trust them and their ability to execute and when players feel that type of trust from their coaches, they make sure to do their part."

Peyton, who had 10 catches for 144 yards and two TDs in a 27-19 win over Kapolei back in week 2, leads his team in receptions (32) and is third in receiving yards (437) and touchdowns (5).

After playing for the Mules' junior varsity team his first two years in high school, Peyton did not play as a junior.

"He's got a tough background, had a lot of challenges growing up and he didn't always make good choices, his grades were bad and he got cut last year," Kurisu said. "But, I think that one year of sitting out made him realize how much he missed it and made him appreciate the game a lot more."

Kurisu said Peyton has cleaned up his act and is now a shining example for underclassmen on his team.

"He's done a lot to give back since then. When we have community service projects and even when the players go on their own, he was always one to volunteer and now his grades are pretty good, too," Kurisu said. "As a player, he always had it, but as a person, he struggled. This year he's been working hard and making good choices, so I'm pretty excited for Mikal."

The Mules, who have won their last seven games, finished undefeated in the Red West and earned a first-round bye, along with West no. 2 Campbell, in the 12-team OIA Tournament, which begins Friday. Leilehua will host the winner of the Moanalua-Kapolei game while the Aiea-Kailua winner visits Campbell next week. On the other side of the bracket, Mililani hosts Castle with the winner playing Farrington and the winner of the Waianae-Kaiser game will visit Kahuku.


WEEK 9 PERFORMERS

Kauai LB Grant Basquez had nine tackle and an interception against Kapaa.

Kapaa LB Aaron Baltazar had two sacks among his six tackles against Kauai.

Pearl City WR Diaccori Briscoe had 7 receptions for 89 yards and 3 TDs and added a 60 yard kickoff return for TD against Kalaheo.

Anuenue RB Mahuka Cullen rushed for 141 yards and one TD against Kalani.

Baldwin QB Keelan Ewaliko rushed for 120 yards and one TD and passed for 99 yards and 2 TDs against Kamehameha-Maui.

Kamehameha-Hawaii PK D.J. Grant-Johnson kicked field goals of 40 and 46 yards, plus three PATs, against Kohala.

Campbell QB Isaac Hurd passed for 101 yards and two TDs against Aiea.

Mililani WR Erren Jean-Pierre had 4 receptions for 158 yards and 2 TDs, including a 99-yarder.

Anuenue RB Kainalu Kaleo rushed for 150 yards and a TD against Kalani.

Kaimuki RB Brandon Kekoa rushed for 81 yards and a TD, had 2 receptions for 40 yards and a TD and added a 69 yard kickoff return for TD against Waipahu.

Anuenue RB Malaeloa Liua rushed for 135 yards and a TD against Kalani.

King Kekaulike's Kepa Luat-Hueu returned a kickoff 99 yards for a TD against Maui.

McKinley QB Alex Ironside passed for 244 yards and 4 TDs against Waialua.

Aiea DE Max Maafala-Maiava had four tackles for lost yardage, two of them sacks, and caused two fumbles against Campbell.

Leilehua TE/LB Penitito Melei had 2 sacks and also caught a 1 yard TD pass against Mililani.

Farrington DB Leland Mitchell had a 30 yard interception return for TD against Moanalua.

Waianae RB/PR Jaylen Mitchell had 8 carries for 86 yards and returned a punt 56 yards for a TD against Radford.

Mililani QB Jarin Morikawa passed for 397 yards and 5 TDs against Leilehua.

Waianae RB Leighton Panui scored three TDs against Radford.

Kamehameha WR Alii Pedrina had 6 receptions for 158 yards and a TD against 'Iolani.

Campbell SB Keoni Piceno had nine receptions for 103 yards and two TDs against Aiea.

Kalani RB Drew Reaves rushed for 41 yards and 4 TDs against Anuenue.

McKinley WR Will Rollman had 4 receptions for 96 yards and a TD against Waialua.

Leilehua QB Kenan Sadanaga passed for 293 yards and 4 TDs against Mililani.

Kamehameha-Hawaii QB Warner Shaw was 5 of 6 for 149 yards and four TDs against Kohala.

Campbell DE Amate Savusa had two sacks against Aiea.

Aiea LB Douglas Tautua had two fumble recoveries for TDs against Campbell.

Kahuku RB Aofaga Wily rushed for 192 yards and 3 TDs against Castle.