Ka‘u 8-man football

First it was the MIL, and now it’s Ka‘u taking a big first step into eight-man football.

The Trojans folded their 11-man team this fall — as did Kohala — but have made a move toward the eight-man game. Ka‘u plans to field a roster of 18 and play at Molokai on Oct. 5, according to the Hawaii Tribune-Herald.

The experimental season includes two games against BIIF junior varsity teams.

In the MIL, Molokai, Seabury Hall, Hana and St. Anthony had their official first season last year after two years of testing the waters. In the BIIF, the hope is for an eight-man football league next fall.

At least three leagues need to participate in a sport before the HHSAA can validate it with a state-championship tournament.

Ross bursts onto the scene

Jordan Ross piled up big numbers in his varsity debut for ‘Iolani.

The sophomore carried the ball just seven times — he sat out the second half — for 100 yards and three touchdowns in a 51-36 win over Kalani. Outside of the ILH, Ross isn’t widely known. But on the Raiders’ intermediate team last year, he rushed for 1,078 yards and 15 touchdowns in six games.

But for fans who utter comparisons to Joe Igber, it’s probably a wee bit too early for that. At 5-foot-8 and 164 pounds, Ross is similar in height to Igber, but Igber is, arguably, the best running back in state history. He holds the state mark of 4,472 career yards.

"He certainly has some talent. Joe is a special player," ‘Iolani coach Wendell Look said. "It’s early, yet. It’s a good compliment, a great comparison, but you don’t want to put too much pressure on the kid. He’s going to be himself, that’s the main thing."

Buffanblu ace Harvard-bound

Punahou pitcher Dylan Combs has committed to play baseball at Harvard University.

"It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," he said. "It’ll be a new experience. I’m excited."

The 5-foot-10 senior turned down several offers, including Arizona, Creighton and Kansas.

"I’m excited for him. It’s an opportunity to continue playing ball and go to Harvard, and that’s humongous," Punahou coach Kenny Harrison said.

Combs was 2-2 with a 1.37 ERA for the Buffanblu last spring. He struck out 31 and walked 16 in 25 innings.

WEEKLY HONORS

CODY LUI-YUEN
Radford quarterback

The senior threw for 387 yards and five touchdowns, going 16-for-35 with one interception in the Rams’ 47-15 season-opening win over Pac-Five on Saturday at Aloha Stadium. His performance ranked second in school history on the single-game passing list, behind only Epa Maika’s 433 yards in 2006.

HONOR ROLL

Passers
>> Noah Brum, Kalani: Threw for 296 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to ‘Iolani.
>> Anthony Canencia, Pac-Five: Put up 63 passes for 266 yards in a loss to Radford.
>> Jordan Liilii, Aiea: Threw for 265 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Kailua.
>> Easton Tsubata, ‘Iolani: Completed 13 of 16 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Kalani.

Rushers
>> Randon Tuitama, Kaimuki:
194 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Waialua.
>> Tristan Pebria, Kapolei: Rushed for 188 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Pearl City.
>> Bobby Lum, Hawaii Prep: Rushed for 178 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Waiakea.
>> Brandon Kahookele, Kamehameha: Rushed for 138 yards and a touchdown in a win over Castle.
>> Shaenan Hernandez-Fonoti, Aiea: Rushed for 127 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Kailua.
>> Mario Fernandez, Maui: 124 yards in a win over St. Francis.
>> Makena Johnston, Kalaheo: Rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Kamehameha-Hawaii.

Receivers
>> Absolom Henry, Radford: Caught five passes for 151 yards and two TDs in a win over Pac-Five.
>> Keoni-Kordell Makekau, ‘Iolani: seven catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Kalani.
>> Trevor Yamashita, Kalani: Five catches for 107 yards and a touchdown in a loss to ‘Iolani.

TOP 10 POLLS

Voted on by coaches and media from around the state. First-place votes in parentheses. Ten points for first-place votes, nine for second, eight for third, etc.

ON THE WEB

>> Find exclusive high school sports content — stories, photographs and videos — as well as football team pages, photo galleries and statistical history at our newly redesigned HawaiiPrepWorld.com