It took two years, but East won its ninth straight against crosstown rival West Friday 24-14.

After a scheduling conflict prevented the rivals from meeting last season, the 110th showdown went the way of the visitors as running back Liti Molisi powered East (3-0).

"I just keep moving my feet and get in back of the big boys," Mofisi said.

The junior saw the dive play of the triple option open up throughout the night, carrying 30 times for 196 yards and a score. West (2-1) was good against the outside run, but couldn't stop what was coming right at them. Mofisi's counterpart, West running back Tipa Vaisagano, didn't fair as well, gaining seven yards on 11 carries and serving a limited role.

East didn't allow West's attack to find any type of a groove until quarterback Chance Abrath capped off a 95-yard drive with a plunge into the end zone to pinch the East lead to 24-14 with 2:12 left to play.

West did get the ball back only two plays later, but their comeback chances were thwarted by big sacks by Joseph Tupouniua and Rennie Vaka.

East moved the ball well between the 20-yard lines in the first half, but struggled from there. Penalties and miscues backed them up time after time. West's defense kept things close while its offense tried to find itself, the score was tied 7-7 at the half.

The Panthers opened the second half with a three-and-out series. The Leopards scored on the ensuing drive and when Tanela Tu'uhetaufa pushed the lead to 24-7 with a 10-yard touchdown run with less than five minutes to play, West had more of a deficit than it could handle.

"[The players] are pretty excited, but they've got to learn how to win and how to keep winning," East coach Brandon Matich said. —

In short

R East wins its ninth straight against West as the rivals played for the 110th time, reuniting after a one-year hiatus.