Prep World: Clash at Campbell

Thirty-five years since his senior season as a Kahuku quarterback, Darren Johnson guides Campbell in a showdown between the two programs for first place in the OIA Blue division.

The last time Kahuku traveled to Campbell was 2013, when the Sabers stunned the Red Raiders with a 28-7 win behind quarterback Isaac Hurd. Campbell eliminated Kahuku’s state-tournament possibilities, beat Hilo 42-27 in the quarterfinals and lost to OIA champion Mililani 41-7 in the semifinals.

This year, No. 2-ranked Kahuku (6-1, 6-0) has already clinched a first-round bye in the playoffs. No. 9 Campbell (5-2, 5-1) needs a win to seal the other opening-round bye. A loss to Kahuku would sink the Sabers to third place with no bye.

The Sabers are sometimes explosive on offense with junior Krenston Kaipo (1,591 passing yards, 15 TDs). Early on, he relied heavily on talented sophomore wide receiver Poki‘i Adkins-Kupukaa (34 receptions, 698 yards, eight TDs), but the ground game has developed and the offense has more balance and consistency now.

“Krenston is growing up,” Johnson said. “We’ve been putting a lot on his shoulders. If he makes good decisions, we should be all right offensively. (Tasi) Faumui and (Jacob) Covington, if they can get us four, five yards a clip, anything else is a bonus.”

Four yards would be almost a luxury against a Red Raiders defense that has shut out three foes, allowing just 13 points in five games, not including a forfeit win over Kaiser.

“Kahuku is still the defending OIA champion, and I coached a lot of them,” said Johnson, who has spent many offseasons busy with JPS and 7v7 teams. “Kahuku is physical and they have numbers. When you draw up X’s and O’s, you make their O’s extra big and your X’s average size.”

Kahuku coach Makoa Freitas chuckles when he hears Johnson’s jokes. He also knows the truth embedded in Johnson’s humor.

“Darren’s a good coach. I’m sure he’ll have a good game plan and have his guys fired up to play,” Freitas said, noting that it will be Campbell’s homecoming game. “We have to play error-free, good, solid football.”

What Kahuku already has is an effective, explosive 1-2 tandem with running backs Enoch Nawahine and Sione Mahe. In five games, Nawahine (6-0, 185) has rushed for 568 yards and eight TDs (8.4 yards per attempt). Mahe (6-0, 180), in just two games, has 193 yards and four TDs, and perhaps more importantly, provides exemplary pass protection, Freitas noted.

“We look at Enoch as a good running back, but he’s our best receiver, as well, able to line up against a defensive back or linebacker,” Freitas said.

Even with relatively balanced play-calling — 122 passes and 163 rushes — and healthy production (6.4 yards per play), Freitas and staff are pushing every day for more.

“We have a lot more work to do to get better, including the offensive line. It’s the little things, just studying video, doing our drills, constantly trying to teach,” said Freitas, who played offensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts.

The schedule hasn’t presented many serious challenges, but a 17-0 loss to Bingham (Utah) in Las Vegas on Sept. 9, has been useful.

“After the Bingham loss, we were able to look at what we need to get better at. Playing a good team like that, they’ll let you know what you need to get better at. We have good assistants and we’ve learned from that game,” Freitas said.

OTHER FRIDAY GAMES

No. 1 Saint Louis vs. No. 5 Kamehameha, Aloha Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

After the crescendo of stronger competition over the course of five games, the potential for emotional letdown remains for the Crusaders. Chevan Cordeiro was spectacular with 392 yards and seven TD passes in a 56-50 comeback win over Narbonne (Calif.) last week.

The Warriors are coming off a tough 21-17 loss to Punahou.

No. 8 Farrington at No. 10 Leilehua, 7:30 p.m.

A win moves the Governors into sole possession of second place, sealing a first-round bye in the OIA playoffs. If Leilehua wins at Hugh Yoshida Stadium, it will secure that remaining first-round bye, and the Mules will have another signature win under coach Mark Kurisu.

Farrington has gotten timely, huge plays from senior Chasen Castilliano, who will likely be in the running for all-state defensive player of the year at season’s end.

No. 9 Lahainaluna (6-1, 5-0 MIL) vs. King Kekaulike (0-5, 0-5), War Memorial Stadium, 7 p.m.

Forget the D-II label. The Lunas’ narrow 24-17 overtime win over Maui last week shows that perhaps the second go-round in the MIL will be a string of closer games between Lahainaluna and the rest of the league. Na Alii lost to the Lunas 45-0 to open MIL play.

‘Iolani vs. St. Francis, Aloha Stadium, 4:45 p.m.

There has been little time to dwell in heartbreak for the Raiders, who squandered a 28-point lead in a 42-35 overtime loss to Damien last week. Senior Tai-John Mizutani climbed up the all-time career passing yardage ladder to No. 11 with 6,358 yards. The 6-2, 180-pound QB passed for 303 yards and a TD in defeat.

In their first meeting, the Saints intercepted three Mizutani passes en route to a 43-26 victory at Eddie Hamada Field.

Kapolei at Nanakuli, 7:30 p.m.

If Nanakuli were to surprise Kapolei, the two teams would finish at 2-5, and the head-to-head edge would go Nanakuli.

The Golden Hawks gave first-place Mililani a battle in last week’s 44-33 loss. On paper, going up against the Hurricanes and their lineup of FBS prospects is more like David versus Goliath than a true rivalry. In the seven games between the programs since Kapolei opened its doors, the ‘Canes have won every matchup. Six of the seven games were decided by double-digit margins, including last year’s 50-12 game at Kapolei.

Radford vs. Moanalua, Aiea High field, 7:30 p.m.

Year 2 of the Lon Passos era hasn’t shown drastic improvement in terms of wins and losses, but in many respects, the Rams are an entirely different team. Second-year starting QB Randy Wright had many struggles in ’16, but this season he ranks fourth in OIA Blue in passing yardage and third in TD passes.

Na Menehune are in position to claim a playoff berth. Both teams have beaten Aiea, so a Radford win would bring it fourth place in the final standings. A win by Moanalua would secure third place.

McKinley at Pearl City, 7:30 p.m.

Mathematically, the Tigers are still in playoff contention. Three of the four playoff berths in OIA D-II have been clinched (Waipahu, Pearl City, Kaimuki), but the fourth spot remains unlocked.

Even without a playoff run, McKinley has turned the tide by ending a 29-game losing streak this season. Meanwhile, the Chargers are coming off a 37-6 loss at Waipahu that bumped them down to second place. A win would clinch second place for Pearl City, which equals home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Kalaheo vs. Kalani, at Kaiser Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

Both teams were chasing Roosevelt (3-3) for the final playoff berth, but the Rough Riders’ 33-10 win over Kalani last week practically sealed fourth place. The Rough Riders already have head-to-head advantage (wins) over Kalaheo and Kalani, but the Mustangs’ long-shot scenario is this: they need Roosevelt to lose at winless Waialua next week while Kalaheo wins its last two games.

Keaau (2-3, 2-3 BIIF) at Hilo (5-1, 4-1), Wong Stadium, 7 p.m.

The Vikings rebounded from a road loss at Konawaena by handing Kamehameha-Hawaii its first league loss last week.

Konawaena (5-2, 5-0 BIIF) at Kamehameha-Hawaii (6-2, 4-1), 7 p.m.

The Wildcats struggled in preseason, down several academically ineligible players, but have stormed to the top of the BIIF since. The Warriors would prefer to give Konawaena its first loss and open the door for home-field advantage through the upcoming BIIF D-II playoffs.

SATURDAY GAMES

Kailua at No. 3 Mililani, 6:30 p.m.

The Surfriders started with stellar results (three wins), then had some bumps in the road — surviving ups and downs that aren’t too dissimilar to that of Kamehameha — and now they’ll be at first-place Mililani on the road.

They’ve done some damage before against the Trojans, upsetting them 34-28 last season in late September.

No. 10 Damien vs. Pac-Five, at Skippa Diaz Stadium, 10 a.m.

This game was forfeited by Pac-Five on Wednesday due to injuries.

Waipahu vs. Kaimuki, Skippa Diaz Stadium, 6:30 p.m.

Waipahu nearly self-destructed in the win over Pearl City, piling up 69 penalty yards in the first quarter. Once the offense wore down the Chargers, the dam burst and the Marauders scored all 37 points after the half.

QB Braden Amorozo and RB Alfred Failauga had massive numbers last week, but it was a relentless front seven featuring Dhelton Bandonill, Manuele Palusami, Dason Santana and Centennial Kulikefu that put a lid on Pearl City’s offense.

Kapaa (3-2, 1-2 KIF) vs. Kauai (3-2, 2-1), Vidinha Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

The wild and tangled web of KIF football, where it has been nonstop musical chairs this fall, continues with Kapaa’s chance to create a three-way tie for first place.

Waiakea (1-7, 0-5 BIIF) at Kealakehe (3-4, 3-2), 7 p.m.

The Warriors have one win this season, and that was against a depleted D-II Waialua squad. Their only point margin of less than 17 points was a 14-13 loss to Hawaii Prep, also a D-II program. Two of the best three teams in the BIIF are classified D-II. There’s no recourse for Waiakea but to simply get better.

Kealakehe have won three in a row after opening the season with four losses.

Kamehameha-Maui (3-3, 2-2 MIL) vs. Maui (2-5, 2-3), War Memorial Stadium, 7 p.m.

The Warriors beat Maui 21-13 on Aug. 18, but have since lost three of four games by an average of nearly 27 points per loss.

Maui is playing its best football, having beaten King Kekaulike and Baldwin before last week’s close loss at Lahainaluna.

Honokaa (2-4, 1-4 BIIF) at Hawaii Prep (2-4, 1-4), 2 p.m.

The Dragons’ highlight of the season may have been a 65-yard TD run by left guard and special education student Josh Rodgers, who happens to wear jersey No. 65. Kealakehe won the game 31-14, but drew widespread kudos for sportsmanship.