Kahuku keeps it simple, relying on its power run game

Kahuku doesn’t go very deep into its playbook, but that has more to do with simplicity and success.

Oh, the Red Raiders ran three gadget plays in the OIA Red title game against Mililani: a halfback option pass, a classic flea flicker and a jump pass. Only the jump pass, a la Tim Tebow from his Florida Gators days, succeeded, but the other two were very close to being touchdowns.

But in their basic scheme, the Red Raiders’ run plays are so effective, there’s little need for variation. There’s not a lot of obvious misdirection, like an ‘Iolani or Lahainaluna fake handoff to the fullback on a fly sweep. Kahuku has the basic blast up the middle and a stretch off-tackle run, as well as the very rare triple option.

But what Punahou coach Kale Ane believes is one of their most productive plays is a simple off-tackle run with a pulling “on-side” guard.

Kahuku executed this often enough in a nonconference game with Punahou on Aug. 18 with a twist: a no-huddle march down the field.

On this play, left tackle John Wa‘a (51) and tight end McKay Lewis (82) secure their assignments, and left guard Kai Kubera (50) pulls outside to close off defensive end Canton Kaumatule (99). Fullback Polikapu “P.J.” Liua is next, creating interference with an outside linebacker and safety.

Running back Aofaga Wily dashes to the pylon for Kahuku’s first touchdown in a 21-13 comeback win over Punahou on Aug. 18.

The 52-yard run was one of his three long scoring jaunts.

View this video: hawaiiprepworld.com/football/kahuku-play

‘Iolani’s innovation catches teams off guard

The ‘Iolani Raiders are the ultimate chess masters on the gridiron.

Whatever weakness you provide, they will exploit, from pooch kickoffs to unsuspecting blockers to fly sweep option passes. But lately, the Raiders have been, well, more by the book. But what an impressive black book it is, with five D-II state titles in a row.

But it’s not the offense or defense that has provided the most intriguing play of late. It’s the PAT/field-goal unit with holder Max Look (1) and, undoubtedly, one of the sharpest special teams offensive lines in the state.

On this play, after an ‘Iolani touchdown, the Raiders lined up with huge splits up front, grouped in bunches. In front of Look, left guard Jonah Wataru (55), center Kamu Borden (72) and right guard Nathaniel Oishi (52) put on their best poker faces.

At far left, three Raiders. At far right, three more Raiders. In the backfield with Look, place-kicker Jordan Genovia.

It’s not like Radford sat back and relaxed. There are nine Rams lined up at the line of scrimmage in upright positions. The problem? Only two lined up over Wataru and Borden. Another defender lined up outside of the right guard, Oishi. A safety walked toward the gap, then changed direction and went to his left to help three teammates cover the three Raiders bunched on that side of the field.

It was basic math. There wasn’t a single Ram to provide support up the middle at the next level. The goal line was basically unprotected right up the gut.

That left the “A” gap open and Look took advantage, sprinting through the hole for an easy 2-point conversion that gave ‘Iolani a 15-0 lead en route to the semifinal win.

It’s just the latest in innovation and creativity from Raiders coach Wendell Look and his staff.

View this video: hawaiiprepworld.com/football/iolani-play

Punahou’s no-huddle passing combo a lethal weapon

Of the 15 touchdown connections between junior quarterback Larry Tuileta and sophomore wide receiver Kanawai Noa, none is more pertinent to this week’s D-I state championship game than TD No. 5.

It came in Punahou’s second game of the season, a nonconference matchup at Kahuku. Punahou’s no-huddle opening series had the Red Raiders on their heels, even after a red-zone run play was stuffed.

Noa remained out wide to the right as Tuileta and the offensive unit read hand signals from the Buffanblu coaching staff. Tight end Dakota Torres (45) lined up to the left and Tuileta stood in a pistol set with Ryan Tuiasoa (13) at his left and Reupena Fitisemanu (82) to the right. Wide receiver Keanu Chee (8) lined up to the far left.

Kahuku had little time to react. On the snap, Tuileta took a step back, set his feet and fired a bullet to Noa on an out route. Noa beat two Kahuku defensive backs who had shaded inside.

Kahuku responded well. Though Noa finished with seven receptions for 105 yards, he didn’t score again and the Red Raiders rallied for a 21-13 win.

View this video: hawaiiprepworld.com/football/punahou-play

Lahainaluna has options after seeing its wing T style evolve

Lahainaluna mastered the wing T ages ago, back when the funky new offense was as hip as an iPad is today.

That certainly doesn’t mean the proud Lunas don’t tweak and evolve, however. Co-head coach Garret Tihada began to implement a shotgun snap into the deceptive offense, allowing a passer more time to execute play-action when required. On this play, however, the Lunas went one step further by going to an I set, with twin receivers to the left against Nanakuli in last week’s semifinal game.

After establishing a consistent ground attack with dives up the middle and end-around fly sweeps, the Lunas caught the Golden Hawks napping, even on a second and 19 from Lahainaluna’s 32-yard line. Maybe it was the visual of the Lunas in the I formation that sold it. Or a faux lead block — to the left side — by fullback Christian Whitehead (22) or the play-action fake handoff to tailback Tytus Lucas.

Nanakuli’s secondary had a lapse. The safety (21) picked up the fullback in the flat and a nickelback (4) stayed with slotback Jeffrey Ancog (7). However, Nanakuli’s outside linebacker had shifted to the middle of the box, leaving a cornerback (21) on his own to converge on the fullback (Whitehead). That meant there was nobody to pick up wide receiver Scott-Isaac Medeiros-Tangatailoa (25), who ran solo down the sideline and hauled in a long pass from Makoa Filikitonga for a 68-yard touchdown play.  

That’s the setup by a throwback run-first offense when executed properly. It’s opportunistic for the offense and lethal to an overly aggressive defense.

View this video: hawaiiprepworld.com/football/lahainaluna-play