'AIEA — Leilehua's football team finally got its "Mo" back, but it was Farrington that walked away with a 28-10 victory last night to advance in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association playoffs.

The Governors (4-5) will play Mililani, the Western Division's No. 1 seed, in next week's quarterfinals. Leilehua's adversity-filled season ends at 4-5, a year after finishing as the state runner-up.

The Mules started the season at 2-0, but a slew of key injuries — including a broken collarbone suffered by starting quarterback Bryant Moniz on Sept. 10 — contributed to a midseason slide.

Leilehua's hopes were raised with Moniz's return last night, but Farrington spoiled the plans by intercepting him five times, including three by defensive back Randy Villaver.

"We knew (Moniz) was coming back tonight but we knew our coverages," Villaver said. "Our coaches just told us to settle on the play and watch the receiver when he cuts back, and then stay with the man and make the pick if we can."

Moniz completed 30 of 55 passes for 289 yards, but the interceptions proved costly. Villaver's second interception came in the end zone shortly before the half, after the Mules had advanced to the Govs' 10-yard line. It helped preserve a 7-3 halftime lead for Farrington.

In the third quarter, after the lead grew to 21-3, Moniz was intercepted on consecutive possessions. Then with 5:47 remaining in the game, the Governors scored on a 22-yard touchdown pass from Elijah Filifili to Kenneth Faumui one play after Moniz's fifth interception.

That made it 28-3.

"Mo was OK (physically) — it was more his timing with the receivers after being out five weeks," Leilehua coach Nolan Tokuda said of his quarterback. "It was more the speed of the pass, where to put the ball ... and sometimes our spacing was bad, too. We'd have two receivers in the same area where one guy can cover both. But my hat's off to Farrington. They had a good zone blitz and they prepared well."

The Mules took a 3-0 lead late in the first quarter, after both teams struggled with turnovers. The Govs went up 7-3 with 4:34 left in the half on Filifili's 2-yard TD pass to Tanner Fetui on fourth-and-2, then opened the third quarter with an 11-play drive culminating in Faumui's 1-yard TD plunge.

One play after Leilehua lost the ball on downs on the next possession, Faumui scored on a 59-yard run. A two-point conversion pass from Filifili to Fetui made it 21-3.

Faumui finished with 118 yards on 18 carries. But Farrington coach Randall Okimoto said it was a team effort, especially considering the Governors were missing six starters due to discipline and injuries.

"I give our boys credit for believing in themselves, and I give the staff credit for preparing them," Okimoto said.

LEILEHUA (4-5) 3 0 0 7—10

FARRINGTON (4-5) 0 7 14 7—28

Lei—FG Daniel Phelps 25

Farr—Tanner Fetui 2 pass from Elijah Filifili (Larry Siuta kick)

Farr—Kenneth Faumui 1 run (kick blocked)

Farr—Faumui 59 run (Tanner Fetui pass from Filifili)

Farr—Fauimui 22 pass from Filifili (Siuta kick)

Lei—Martin Iosefa 8 pass from Bryant Moniz (Daniel Phelps kick)

RUSHING—Leilehua: Tino Pablico 4-26, Guy Cantrell 2-0, Aric Edra 2-0, Jordan Figueroa 2-12, Moniz 2-5. Farrington: Kenneth Faumui 18-118, Hercules Sula 9-25, Elijah Lesu 1-(minus-3), Maeli Siliga 1-21.

PASSING—Leilehua: Bryant Moniz 30-55-5—289. Farrington: Filifili 7-14-0—91.

RECEIVING—Leilehua: Christian Mendez 7-83, Cantrell 9-78, Pablico 6-52, Martin Iosefa 6-69, Dustin Pau'u 1-8, Edra 1-(minus-1). Farrington: Lesu 2-49, Fetui 2-3, Maeli Siliga 2-17, Faumui 1-22.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.