Preseason, nonleague, interleague, nonconference … those games jumped into coaches’ plans early enough.
This week, the OIA Red and MIL follow the OIA White with regular-season battles. Some teams will welcome the return of players who have been on academic probation. The usual course — there will likely be at least one OIA team that reverses course and peaks late in the season — is probably underway.
But first things first. Here’s a look at this weekend’s matchups.
TODAY’S GAMES
Kaimuki (1-1) at No. 3 Kahuku (0-1)
For the gritty Bulldogs, the good news thus far is a combined 298 passing yards, three touchdown passes and zero interceptions by Tevita Lino and Kainalu Spencer. Randon Tuitama has bolted for 243 rushing yards and two touchdowns, and Fano Tuisila (eight receptions, 164 yards, two touchdowns) is a capable route runner.
But this is Kahuku, the two-time defending champion coming off a 45-24 loss to Saint Louis. Size and depth are on Big Red’s side, and slowing that lethal option attack will require all of Kaimuki’s technique and discipline. So will every attempt to tackle quarterback Tuli Wily-Matagi (6-foot-3, 223 pounds), and running backs Soli Afalava (6-2, 201), P.J. Liua (5-9, 219) and Salanoa-Alo Wily (6-0, 243).
No. 8 Campbell (2-0) at No. 6 Leilehua (1-0)
OIA Red West play kicks off with a big defensive challenge for the Mules. There may not be another more lethal dual threat than Campbell quarterback Isaac Hurd, who has already accounted for 414 yards from scrimmage, including 301 yards, five touchdowns and no picks through the air. The Sabers have found a reliable ballcarrier in Austin May (164 yards, three touchdowns) after losing Tristan Pebria in the offseason.
Kainoa Perry (5-11, 170) has emerged as a major target for Hurd with eight grabs for 118 yards and three touchdowns.
But the Sabers haven’t met a machine quite like Leilehua yet this season. The Mules were highly efficient in a 56-35 win at ‘Iolani last weekend. Mack Eberhardt was steady (13-for-19, 143 passing yards), while Ikaika Piceno was explosive out of the backfield with 125 yards and two touchdowns on just nine carries.
No. 7 Mililani (1-1) at Kapolei (2-0)
Vavae Malepeai, a slippery sophomore, was a breakout star in the first two games with 213 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He suffered an injury against Punahou, but will start this week, coach Rod York said.
The Trojans have relied heavily on slotback Bronsen Ader (14 receptions, 115 yards), but one of last year’s top targets, speedy Kainoa Wilson, has been limited to six grabs.
The Trojans are often at their best when linebacker Dayton Furuta lines up at running back, but Kapolei’s defense, spearheaded by Micah Paris, will be waiting. So will a no-huddle Hurricanes offense featuring Pebria, who has raced for 224 yards and four touchdowns in wins over Pearl City and McKinley.
Kailua (0-2) at Castle (1-1)
Kailua won last year’s game 24-6 with an offense that was predominantly ground-and-pound; 38 of 55 plays were runs.
Sophomore quarterback Noah Auld has not thrown a pick in two games.
Castle limited Kamehameha to one offensive touchdown in a downpour two weeks ago, then topped Damien 27-13 over the weekend. The Knights remain a pass-first team; quarterback Stephen Lee is learning on the job. He has thrown 50 passes (23 completions) for 201 yards, two touchdowns and four picks.
Moanalua (0-2) vs. McKinley (1-1), Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium
Coach Arnold Martinez wasted little time testing his team, lining up rock-solid defensive squads (Mililani, Waianae) out of the chute. Moanalua’s passing attack is intact. Micah Kaneshiro has twirled 89 pass attempts already for 422 yards and two touchdowns.
The downside is five interceptions and a ground game that has yet to develop.
The Tigers are deeper and bigger this year, and have two-way playmakers like Gerime Bradley and bulldozing linebacker Mathias Tuitele-Iafeta (5-11, 235). But they still miss the services of fleet-footed Tyrell Tuiasosopo (6-2, 180), who will remain out with a foot injury until early September.
Radford (2-0, 1-0 OIA White) at Nanakuli (1-1, 1-0)
The historians may have to dig deep to find a Rams team that has scored 114 points in its first two games. Cody Lui-Yuen, a 6-4, 210-pound southpaw, has passed for 534 yards, eight touchdowns and just one pick in 45 attempts.
Radford has also used a committee of Tobias Powell, Chance Cacatian and Rashone Osborne in the backfield. The three have 323 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. But the biggest find has been 6-3, 190-pound junior Absolom Henry (seven catches, 203 yards and three touchdowns). With Henry and Jameson Pasigan (seven grabs, 122 yards, four touchdowns) wreaking havoc on defensive backs, Powell — a transfer from Maryknoll who didn’t play varsity football until this season — has also become a threat out of the backfield (four receptions, 96 yards, one touchdown).
The Golden Hawks are finding their way after losing several key defensive players to graduation. Chazz Troutman opened the season at running back, a change from his quarterback position a year ago, while continuing to start at safety.
Roosevelt (0-2, 0-1 OIA White) at Waialua (0-2, 0-1)
After forfeiting against McKinley, the Rough Riders started OIA White play with a 15-0 loss to Kalaheo. Waialua struggled with numbers early on, but the varsity is faring much better now that the JV squad has folded. Roosevelt won this matchup last season, 9-7.
Pearl City (0-1, 0-0 OIA White) vs. Kalani (0-2, 0-1), Kaiser Stadium
When these teams met late last fall, the Chargers were one of the hottest teams in the state, outscoring the Falcons 40-30 for their fifth win in a row. Now, Pearl City is rebuilding.
The Falcons are airing it out again. Noah Brum has passed for 490 yards, five touchdowns and four picks in 93 attempts. Enrique Gruver leads a busy receiver corps with 16 grabs for 155 yards and three touchdowns.
Westlake (Calif.) (0-0) at Waipahu (1-0)
The visiting Warriors hail from Westlake Village and chose to travel nearly 3,000 miles for their season opener. They play in the Marmonte League of the CIF, where they went 3-1 last year (6-5 overall) and finished second.
Alex Egurbide, a 6-5, 195-pound senior, led the league in receiving yardage (661 yards). Another key target, Cole Hair (6-0, 170) was third in the league with 541 receiving yards.
Linebacker Hunter Mattox, 6-4 and 255 pounds, was fifth in the Marmonte League with six sacks.
The Marauders are coming off a 19-14 nonconference win over Kaimuki. Sophomore Matthew Leilua (5-8, 205) rushed for 124 yards and sophomore quarterback Gavin Marques (5-10, 162) tallied 103 yards.
Maui (2-0) vs. Baldwin (0-1), War Memorial Stadium
The Sabers may have reason to be more optimistic than they’ve been in years. They followed a 51-0 victory over St. Francis with a 47-37 comeback win over defending BIIF D-II champion Konawaena, trailing 24-7 at half.
The series between the two historic rivals — Maui was dominant under then-coach Curtis Lee in the 1990s — has been one-sided for some time now with Baldwin winning 24 straight.
Konawaena (0-0) at Hilo (1-0), Wong Stadium
Last week, it was a 30-minute flight to the Valley Isle for the Wildcats, who lost 47-37 to Maui. This week, a two-hour drive to East Hawaii is on the itinerary. Hilo opened BIIF play with a 36-6 win over Waiakea last week. The Vikings are counting on quarterback Donovan Kelley, a junior who took over when Drew Kell moved to Oregon in the offseason.
SATURDAY’S GAMES
Kealakehe (0-0) at No. 4 Kamehameha (2-0)
The Warriors are finding their footing under Doug Cosbie. A swarming, gang-tackling defense led in part by Mike Tafua hasn’t allowed a touchdown in two games. The offense has grown despite an early injury to running back Kaulana Apelu. Senior Brandon Kahookele has rushed for 338 yards and a score, and Kainoa Simao has stepped up as a breakaway threat.
No. 5 Waianae (2-0) at Aiea (2-0)
The Seariders haven’t lost a beat defensively despite the graduation of all-state defensive tackle Kennedy Tulimasealii. Jemery Willes has racked up 237 yards and four touchdowns on the ground, and quarterback Kekoa Kaluhiokalani has been effective as a dual threat (208 passing yards, two touchdowns with 140 rushing yards and two more scores).
Na Alii will miss quarterback Jordan Liilii (foot injury), but a sturdy defense led by linebackers Glen Igafo and Benjamin Taliulu was dominant in wins over Kailua and Pac-Five.
Kamehameha-Hawaii (1-0) at No. 9 ‘Iolani (1-1)
The Warriors are a strong contender for the BIIF Division II crown with Ina Teofilo back for another season at running back.
‘Iolani quarterbacks Easton Tsubata and Austin Jim On have combined for 505 yards passing, seven touchdowns and just two interceptions. Super soph Jordan Ross had limited success in last week’s loss to Leilehua, but still has 176 yards and three touchdowns.
Mt. Douglas (Canada) (0-0) vs. No. 10 Lahainaluna (1-0), War Memorial Stadium
The Rams, out of British Columbia, won the AAA provincial championship last year. It was their second straight "Subway Bowl" crown. They lost only 12 seniors from the 2012 squad.
The Lunas return several key players, including defensive lineman Hercules Mata‘afa. They’re off to a solid start after a 28-13 win over Kapaa. They sacked Kapaa quarterback Fresno Masaniai nine times in the win. With their modified Wing-T offense, the MIL favorites — regardless of classification — are one of the top contenders for the state D-II title.
Kalaheo (1-1, 1-0 OIA White) vs. Anuenue (0-2, 0-1), Kaiser Stadium
Running back Makena Johnston has racked up 202 yards and four touchdowns on the ground to lead the Mustangs. Na Koa are struggling after big losses to Waimea and Radford. A double-wing, heavy-run team in recent years, they’ve adapted to personnel. Kaimalino Borges is the leading rusher so far (99 yards) as they’ve taken to the air (31 attempts in two games).
Drumheller (Canada) (0-0) vs. St. Francis (0-1), Waipahu High School field
The visiting Titans went 9-3 last year, winning the Provincial championship. This will be their season opener for 2013.
St. Francis is in its first year of varsity football. The Saints had last week off after traveling to Maui and losing 51-0 on Aug. 9.
Honokaa (0-0) at Waiakea (0-2), Wong Stadium
After some issues with player turnout during the summer, the Dragons are hitting the road to play the Warriors in this nonleague matchup (Honokaa plays in D-II). The Warriors got a solid performance from Devin Preston last week in a 36-6 loss to Hilo. Preston rushed for 120 yards.
Woodbridge (Calif.) (0-0) at Waimea (1-1), Hanapepe
The Warriors of Irvine, Calif., open their season on the Garden Island. They were 7-6 last season, including 3-3 in the CIF’s Pacific Coast League.
The Menehune have been busy, beating Anuenue 42-0 and losing on the road to Hawaii Prep 13-8.
King Kekaulike (0-0) at Kamehameha-Maui (0-1)
The Warriors are in their first season under Cody Nakamura, the former standout Baldwin wide receiver and assistant coach.