For at least 15 minutes last night in the fourth quarter of the biggest and most-anticipated O'ahu Interscholastic Association game of the year, the thoughts of both teams and thousands of their fans abruptly shifted away from football.

Leilehua wide receiver Kamana Akagi, a 5-foot-9, 170-pound senior, lay on the turf motionless on his back near the Mules' 30-yard line with 7:35 remaining after taking a hit to the head while diving for a pass on a crossing pattern. Almost immediately after trainers and medical personnel ran onto the field to tend to him, it was obvious the injury was serious and an ambulance was called.

The crowd of about 7,000 on both sides fell silent and each team gathered for prayer on their respective sideline.

Eventually, Akagi showed movement in his legs and hands and the crowd cheered loudly as he was carried into the ambulance. He was taken to The Queen's Medical Center for treatment, but Leilehua athletic director James Toyota said he was told Akagi is expected to make a full recovery.

"But it was a head injury, so he could be out (of action) for awhile," Toyota said.

Leilehua lost the OIA title game, 24-20, but will advance to the Division I state tournament to play Maui Interscholastic League DI champion Baldwin on Nov. 20 at War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku.

"We'll be good," said Mules quarterback Andrew Manley, "as long as we stay together and keep playing as a family."

When play resumed, Leilehua faced third-and-16 from the 14 but Manley promptly threw a 26-yard pass to Carlos Marshall for a first down. The Mules eventually lost the ball on downs, but their defense forced a three-and-out and Manley and Co. got the ball back with 50 seconds left on their own 20.

Manley was sacked for a 12-yard loss on first down and his next pass fell incomplete, and on the final play a double pass that was complete to the 30 but the receiver was tackled as time ran out.

Despite the loss, Leilehua coach Nolan Tokuda said he was proud of how his team kept fighting through the adversity.

"We missed 'Mana not just on the field, but also his leadership," Tokuda said. "But the players are all brothers out there, and they rely on each other. They have so much heart, and they know they play for the community. So no matter what, they're going to keep playing hard."

Manley said "it was very rough, especially for me knowing I threw the pass (on the play Akagi got injured)."

"But we still believed we could do it."

Red Raiders coach Reggie Torres said the Mules won his respect in defeat.

"They came right back and got that first down right away," Torres said. "It was tough on everybody. Even our guy who made the hit, he was on the sideline crying and we had to try and settle him down to get back in the game. When something like that happens, all our prayers go out to (Akagi).

"It puts everything in perspective: Football is just a game."

Read his blog on high school sports at http://preptalk.honadvblogs.com