Maui High Clinches State Tourney Berth With Win

Maui High’s Hanisi Lotulelei scored two touchdowns for the Sabers Friday against King Kekaulike. Photob y Rodney S. Yap.

By Rodney S. Yap

Maui High had five different running backs score touchdowns Friday en route to a lopsided 48-0 victory at King Kekaulike High School.

The win sealed the Sabers’ MIL Division I championship and the team’s first berth to the state tournament since 2000. Maui High improved to 7-1 overall and 3-0 in the MIL second round.

As MIL champion, Maui High will likely host a quarterfinal game against an Oahu Interscholastic Association team at War Memorial Stadium on Nov. 7.

Sophomore running back Hanisi Lotulelei scored two touchdowns for the Sabers, the first coming on a 93-yard run with 35 seconds left in the first quarter. He finished with 127 yards on six carries.

Maui High’s offense rushed for 359 yards and its defense posted its second straight shutout. The Sabers defeated Baldwin last week, 27-0.

King Kekaulike closed out its 2014 campaign 1-7.

Maui High will celebrate its homecoming against Lahainaluna on Saturday, Oct. 25, at War Memorial Stadium.

Friday’s MIL Scoring Summary

At King Kekaulike Stadium

SABERS 48, NA ALII 0

Maui High ……….. 7 ……. 20 ….. 8 …… 13—48

King Kekaulike ….. 0 ….. 0 ….. 0 ….. 0—0

First Quarter

MH—Hanisi Lotulelei 93 run (Jayden Wilhelm kick), 0:35.

Second Quarter

MH—Lotulelei 6 run (kick failed), 10:49.

MH—Lusitania Tongi 6 run (Pika Fakava pass from Tyson Takabayashi), 5:13.

MH—Feleti Afemui 28 pass from Austin Hoe (kick failed), 1:26.

Third Quarter

MH—Daniel Kelley 22 run (Ericson Hirose pass from Tyson Takabayashi), 4:19.

Fourth Quarter

MH—McNel Guillermo 40 run (Wilhelm kick), 9:34.

MH—Hirose 11 run (kick failed), 7:29.

Junior varsity: Maui High 28, King Kekaulike 0.

* All statistics complied by Rob Collias of The Maui News.