Waianae. Castle. Kamehameha.
At some point in recent years, each football program has endured the pain of not having a home game. At Waianae, it’s about condemned bleachers — renovations currently underway. For Castle, it was rebuilt bleachers a few years back, and this season, the field is being redone.
Kamehameha went a whole year without a home field, its once-immaculate grass yielding to synthetic turf. But the payoff, as the Warriors know now, is worth the wait.
Better yet, the Warriors have a rare home date — rather than playing at Aloha Stadium — in a borderline must-win game tonight against giant-killer ‘Iolani. The sunset view from Kunuiakea Stadium — already a decade old — is matched only by a handful of game sites in high school football.
Today
No. 8 ‘Iolani (4-1, 1-1 ILH) at No. 7 Kamehameha (3-2, 1-1 ILH): It was a little more than one year ago. ‘Iolani was coming off a wild 42-35 loss to Saint Louis. Kamehameha was not about to take any Division II program lightly. The Warriors stormed past the Raiders 55-14.
Tonight, the scenario is similar enough. ‘Iolani gave Saint Louis fits until fading down the stretch in a 68-39 loss. A week of rest hasn’t hurt, but can Reece Foy stir up another run at the powerhouse Warriors? Last year, they picked off five passes by Foy, who has thrown only two this year through five games.
The senior ranks third among starters statewide in passer rating (169.51) and is second in touchdown passes (16). His completion percentage (65.4 percent) ranks third.
As usual, Kamehameha uses depth to its advantage. There’s no automatic go-to receiver — less predictability — and no dominant running back. Makoa Camanse-Stevens had a season-high 202 passing yards against Pac-Five two weeks ago. He has not thrown an interception this fall in 109 attempts.
Friday
No. 1 Kahuku (4-0, 3-0 OIA Red East) vs. Kaimuki (0-6, 0-4 OIA Red East) at Kaiser: It’s all about defense and ball control for the Red Raiders. Behind a wall of red, including All-State offensive lineman John Wa‘a, running back Aofaga Wily has churned out 557 yards (7.1 per carry) and nine touchdowns.
The efficiency up front has been so high, quarterback Viliami Livai has thrown just 38 passes in four games, with high numbers for yards per attempt (9) and passer rating (146.96).
No. 2 Punahou (4-1, 3-0 ILH) vs. Pac-Five (2-4, 1-2 ILH): Larry Tuileta’s preposterously successful season so far is about reps, timing and protection. The junior quarterback has completed 34 of his past 39 pass attempts for 621 yards, six touchdowns and no picks. And he has scarcely been touched, thanks to an offensive line led by Semisi Uluave and Davis Miyashiro-Saipa‘ia.
Kanawai Noa’s spectacular first half of the season continued with eight receptions for 198 yards and two touchdowns against a stellar Saint Louis secondary last week. Noa (35 receptions, 732 yards, nine touchdowns), like Uluave, is only a sophomore.
The Wolfpack have stayed true to the ground game, but balance has been part of the blueprint, too. Keoni Tom-Millare’s versatility as a rusher and receiver (168 yards from scrimmage, four touchdowns against Damien) is key.
Their secondary, led by Nick Kwon, is in for another test.
Kapolei (3-2, 1-2 OIA Red West) at No. 4 Mililani (4-1, 2-1 OIA Red West): Kapolei’s promising start has slowed, but the Hurricanes still have a shot at the playoffs. The ‘Canes, Campbell and Aiea are tied in the Red West. The possibility of more than two teams finishing at 3-3 in regular-season play — and maybe deciding playoff berths via coin flip — is on one coach’s mind.
Darren Hernandez’s team lost to Leilehua 47-0 last week, unable to establish the ground attack for the first time in Red West play. Jacob Kukahiko had 217 rushing yards against Waipahu and Waianae, but none against the Mules.
"That was the worst loss we’ve had here," Hernandez said. "I take responsibility for that."
Mililani employs a quick-passing, ball-control offense with a similar philosophy to Leilehua’s. Jarin Morikawa is the key. In the Trojans’ four wins, he’s thrown just three picks combined. He tossed three in the lone loss to Leilehua nearly three weeks ago.
No. 5 Leilehua (4-1, 2-1 OIA Red West) at Campbell (4-2, 2-2 OIA Red West): Justin Jenks had the game of his life in the win over Kapolei, passing for 275 yards and three touchdowns without a pick. The no-huddle attack and deceptive tactics of the Mules’ defense are challenging, but Campbell has the weapons — including running back Paul-Andrew Rhoden — to turn this matchup into a grind.
No. 6 Saint Louis (2-3, 1-1 ILH) vs. Damien (3-2, 1-1 ILH): The Crusaders have talent and depth that few D-II programs can match, but the Monarchs have a consistent ground game this season with Kyle Sato (423 yards, four touchdowns) in the backfield.
Saint Louis has faced four Top 10 teams and a national powerhouse thus far. Coach Matt Wright is looking for his defense to step up. Last week’s 43-14 loss to Punahou was clear evidence that weekly shootouts (187 points in their first four games) aren’t preferred, especially if running back Adam Noga (614 rushing yards, eight touchdowns) is still hobbling with a sore hamstring.
Kalani (3-2, 3-1 OIA White) at Radford (5-0, 4-0 OIA White): This might be the best showdown of rising quarterback stars that most of the state hasn’t heard about. Radford junior Cody Lui-Yuen has gotten the job done, usually with superb numbers. He has 16 touchdown passes and 1,191 yards with just six picks.
But Kalani’s Noah Brum has been on fire in the past three starts with 799 passing yards and seven touchdowns. The Falcons’ brain trust has been happy to run the ball at times, especially with Gavin Kim. The senior has 265 rushing yards (8.3 per carry) in his past three games. This might be one of those times.
Waianae (3-3, 2-2 OIA Red West) at Aiea (3-2, 1-2 OIA Red West): Right on schedule, the Seariders went to smashmouth football and handed the pigskin to Jeremy Willes 31 times for 140 yards and three touchdowns in an upset win at Campbell. Alakai Kealoha provided an extra punch (118 yards, 19 carries) as the Seariders took a load of pressure off quarterback Kekoa Kaluhiokalani.
The senior averaged 24 pass attempts per game in the first four games as Waianae went 1-3. The past two games: 20 combined attempts, two Waianae victories.
Aiea will be stirred up after last week’s stunning home loss to Waipahu.
Waialua (0-5, 0-3 OIA White) at Kaiser (4-2, 4-1 OIA White): The Cougars add a layer of complexity every so often. Makana Lyman established his passing game early on. Then came a wildcat set featuring running back/defensive back Kai Gonda. Now, Fitou Fisiiahi is back to normal after an offseason rugby injury (foot) and is simply too big (6-2, 240) and too fast for most players in D-II as a linebacker/running back.
Baldwin (2-2, 2-1 MIL) at King Kekaulike (0-4, 0-3 MIL): Keelan Ewaliko’s return was scintillating: 101 passing yards, two touchdowns and 176 rushing yards and three more touchdowns on just nine carries in the Bears’ win at Kamehameha-Maui.
Linebacker Jordan Hoiem is out for a few more weeks with a stress fracture in his foot. He had already missed two games with the flu.
Anuenue (1-5, 1-4 OIA White) at Roosevelt (0-4, 0-4 OIA White): Na Koa running back Kainalu Kaleo continues to lead the state in rushing (1,029 yards) and his 11 rushing touchdowns are tied only by Farrington’s Abraham Silva. His 170-yard game against Pearl City was eclipsed by teammate Anuenue Tui, who went for 186 yards on 22 attempts.
The Rough Riders had a couple of bright spots in a loss to Kalani. Michael Matsuoka passed for 200 yards without a pick and Kainoa Koki caught eight passes for 109 yards.
Waiakea (2-3, 1-1 BIIF) vs. Hilo (2-2, 1-1 BIIF), Dr. Francis Wong Stadium: Shades of Robert Medeiros. Hilo’s Drew Kell was on fire last week at Kealakehe with 405 passing yards and three touchdowns, putting up numbers similar to Medeiros, who led Hilo to a BIIF title two decades ago.
Kamehameha-Hawaii (6-0, 3-0 BIIF) at Ka‘u (0-3, 0-3 BIIF): A week after linebacker/cornerback Shaun Kagawa filled in admirably at running back, Faaolaina Teofilo returned and rambled for 114 yards in a 24-6 win over Hawaii Prep.
Saturday
No. 9 Konawaena (5-1, 3-0 BIIF D-II) at Hawaii Prep (2-3, 2-1 BIIF): While Kahoali‘i Karratti and his aerial targets (Domonic Morris, Kenan Gaspar) have been prominent, senior running back John Kamoku remains a mystery. Nagging injuries have often slowed the speedy playmaker, but even this fall, he has managed to score 13 touchdowns on just 34 touches (31 carries, three receptions). He has averaged 11.5 yards per carry and 45 yards per haul.
Lahainaluna (4-0, 3-0 MIL) vs. Maui (2-2, 2-1 MIL), War Memorial Stadium: The Lunas are in D-II, but the 32-0 shutout of perennial power Baldwin was an eye opener. Kiko Kohler-Fonohema, a two-way starter, is the steersman in their modified wing-t offense.
Honokaa (2-3, 1-2 BIIF) at Kohala (0-3, 0-3 BIIF): The Cowboys and Dragons have a history of great rivalry, but it won’t be easy for Kohala, not with a feeder (Pop Warner) program that only this fall was revived. Honokaa is coming off a 54-0 win over Ka‘u.
Kauai (4-1, 1-1 KIF) at Waimea (2-2, 1-1 KIF): The Menehune upset defending KIF champ Kapaa last week behind a run-first offense. Kyren Rapacon had 140 yards on 30 carries in the win.
Castle (0-5, 0-3 OIA Red East) at Kailua (1-4, 1-2 OIA Red East): Jarrin Young had a career-high 266 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Kaimuki two weeks ago. The Surfriders had a bye last week.
McKinley (2-3, 1-2 OIA Red East) at Moanalua (3-3, 3-1 OIA Red East): Na Menehune junior Micah Kaneshiro had a career-high 264 passing yards and fired four touchdown passes last week against Kaimuki. Moanalua’s ground game will be up against a stiff Tiger defense led by linebacker Mathias Tuitele-Iafeta.
Kalaheo (3-2, 3-1 OIA White) at Pearl City (2-4, 2-3 OIA White): The Mustangs’ productive running backs — Cristian Johnston and Willie Lynch — should benefit from last week’s bye. The Chargers have gaudy stats in their past two games from Isaac Amorin (11 receptions, 325 yards, seven touchdowns in his last two games) and Tanner Tokunaga (eight, 167, two).
Kealakehe (4-1, 2-0 BIIF) at Keaau (0-4, 0-2 BIIF): Coach Sam Papalii returned this season with a particular plan in mind — smashmouth. He got that last week in a win over Hilo as three rushers hit the century mark: quarterback Jordan Cristobal (116 yards, one touchdown), Lennox Jones (145, three) and 350-pound fullback David Fangupo (105, one).
