For the second time in four years, a sophomore quarterback has led Leilehua High School's football team to the Promised Land, the Big Stage.

And like Bryant Moniz was in 2004, Andrew Manley has been the talk of Wahiawa the past month as he continues to amaze observers with the golden arm and presence of a veteran senior.

"Both of them have poise," said Leilehua coach Nolan Tokuda, in his fourth season at the Mules' helm. "They're so cool; their poise is similar."

In the fourth quarter of last Saturday's First Hawaiian Bank State Championship semifinals against Baldwin, Manley had just thrown an interception that was returned for a touchdown to close Leilehua's lead to 41-34 with 11:08 remaining.

But after the ensuing kickoff, Tokuda called a passing play on first down.

"When you fall off the horse, you gotta get right back on it," said Tokuda, a former quarterback at 'Aiea. "If I didn't let him throw after that, I would have been sending the wrong message, that I don't trust him. I told him, 'Hey, you made one bad throw, it's OK. Just get back out there.' "

Like Moniz, Manley also has received the support of his older teammates.

"It's what we preach from the top down," Tokuda said. "We're all brothers out here, we all support each other."

Like Moniz, Manley has earned the respect through his performance. In four playoff games since being called up from the JV, he has 42 completions in 76 attempts (55.3 percent) for 447 yards and five TDs, with only two interceptions. Most important, the Mules won all four games.

Tokuda said that despite the surprising success, Manley — like Moniz — remains humble and eager to learn.

"Sometimes when a guy has instant celebrity, they get 'big head' and might start questioning the coach," Tokuda said. "But Andrew is not like that. He's like a sponge, he's absorbing everything. He has a calm sense about everything, and that reverts back to his family life and the way his parents brought him up. They've done a great job."

Manley and Moniz also share deep Wahiawa roots.

Manley's father, Kimo, played for Leilehua under Hugh Yoshida in 1980. Moniz's late grandfather, Bill Smithe, was a former Leilehua athletic director and executive secretary of the O'ahu Interscholastic Association.

Tokuda said Kimo Manley retired to Wahiawa after a career in the Air Force.

FAMILY TIES STRONG IN BOTH GAMES TOMORROW

Some families will have multiple rooting interests tomorrow night.

Cody Kamakana is a senior starting left guard and co-captain for 'Iolani; his brother Casey is a sophomore reserve defensive back for Saint Louis.

Tytan Timoteo is a junior starting left tackle for Saint Louis, and brother Jiniki is a sophomore starting left guard for Leilehua.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.