High School

Kapaa extends incredible season

Most football teams call it a great week getting that one big win they work so hard for. Two program-changing wins in six days? Now that's something to brag about.

Lahainaluna uses defense to advance

So much for the adage that the best offense is a good defense. In the case of Lahainaluna on Saturday night, it was an opportunistic defense that set the stage for an opening-round victory in the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Division II football tournament.

Leilehua’s finishing kick tops Kealakehe

Thankfully, for the Leilehua Mules, the one player with the right shoes happened to be Tim Momiyama.

Baldwin pulls upset

WAILUKU, Maui » A statewide television audience found out on Friday night what folks on Maui have known for the past two seasons. Namely, that Keelan Ewaliko can beat you with his strong right arm and his legs.

Surprising Kona faces Lahainaluna

He’s been described by old-time watchers at Julian Yates Field as anything from a younger version of Ray Lewis to a recent version of the late Jesse Mahelona.

Enlightened

As the crowd watched in semi-darkness on the Moanalua High tennis courts Wednesday night, a full moon broke through the clouds, allowing for two words on the blue mesh fence to be visible. Just barely.

Kapaa, Pearl City on unfamiliar ground at states

Pristine Hanalei.
No-frills Anahola.
For everyone who played football at Kapaa High School since 1990, there was always great natural beauty in their backyard, but no mantle on which to hoist their hopes and dreams. No Kauai Interscholastic Federation championship. No participation in the old Neighbor Island Football Championship. Not even a state-tournament berth.

Farrington faces the unknown

They’ve gone down this road before, but perhaps never with so much expectation.
The Farrington Governors saw a perfect season — and a rare No. 1 ranking — slip away with a loss to Kahuku.

Kealakehe faces tough road without its top playmaker

A dynasty like Kealakehe isn’t exactly familiar with the role of underdog.
This time, it’s more than that. With their top playmaker out for the season, the Waveriders might be the longest of long shots as the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA State Football Championships kick off this week.

Buffanblu's bruiser

DeForest Buckner is impossible to ignore.
At 6-foot-7, 245 pounds, Buckner's size alone makes him one of the more recognizable players on the field.