Run-first Cougars could pose problem for surging Chargers

This is the OIA White (Division II) title game, but the pressure is off, in one sense, for the Kaiser Cougars. After last year’s heartbreaking playoff loss to Nanakuli, they had an entire offseason to lament what could have been. But they’ve also gone right back to training and made their work ethic pay off with one of the most dominant Division II seasons in recent memory. 

The Cougars are in the state tourney, to no surprise. The talent level — linebacker/running back Fitou Fisiiahi has committed to Oregon State — and a conservative plan of attack has resulted in absolute domination in all aspects. The Cougars, operating often times out of a power-I set, are averaging 55.6 points per game against OIA White opponents. 

It’s not a standard power-I, not with 199-pound fullback/linebacker Parker Higgins lead-blocking for Fisiiahi (6-0, 235). When Thomas Leong enters the backfield, his afterburners are matched by no other back in the conference. 

The result: Fisiiahi has rushed for 525 yards (8.3 per attempt) and 13 touchdowns, and Leong had 439 yards (9.8) and 12 TDs. 

The question remains this: Can Kaiser throw the ball against a defense that won’t permit ground-and-pound success? Quarterback Lii Karratti was an air traffic controller last year at Konawaena with 41 touchdown strikes, but his services haven’t been required other than as a handoff machine this year at Kaiser. The one plus is that he has completed 68 percent of his passes, and maybe another bonus is that there’s so little footage of him in the pocket that the Kaiser passing package is a mystery to opposing defenses. 

That’s the byproduct of this odd scenario, a team with D-I talent stuck in a D-II conference: even with just 138 pass attempts all season between Karratti and reserve Kahi Neves, the Cougars are still a balanced offense. They’ve scored so quickly and so often on the ground, it’s left Karratti with few opportunities as a passer. 

The Chargers have been astounding since their early struggles. With a full lineup, first-year head coach Robin Kami has witnessed another hot purple streak. He was an assistant to David Hallums last year when the Chargers finished the season with a five-game win streak, barely falling short of a playoff berth. 

This time, they’ve qualified for the state tourney after a 28-14 playoff win over Kalani. They’ve won seven of their past eight games, the only blemish coming against Kaiser in a 31-6 loss on Oct. 4. 

Offensively, Pearl City has balance with quarterback Jordan Taamu (1,322 yards, 11 touchdowns) in charge. Reno Abero (394 yards, 5 TDs) and Justin Dupio (317, 6) have shared the load on the ground, and Timothy Rivera (37 receptions, 519 yards, 4 TDs) is a key target. 

Taamu’s ability to run (177 yards, 1 TD) is a factor, and Kierren McGhee (19 catches, 231 yards, four TDs) is yet another weapon. 

Pearl City has been solid defensively against pass-heavy teams (Kalani, Radford), but the threat of Kaiser’s ground game threw the Chargers for a loop four weeks ago. Fisiiahi and Leong combined for just 82 yards on 21 carries while Karratti had a season-best 225 passing yards (14-for-21) with two touchdown tosses (and one pick). 

Leong and Justin Ikei were clutch that night as receivers, and Destin Moss’ only catch was a touchdown that helped turn a 10-6 halftime score into a 25-point win.  

OTHER GAMES

Today 

Hawaii Prep (8-2, 6-2 BIIF) at Konawaena (8-2, 7-1 ) — The last time they met, Ka Makani had a somewhat comfortable lead at home. But normally reliable running back Bobby Lum (1,478 yards, 13 TD) had fumbling issues and the Wildcats rallied. John Repogle’s 37-yard field goal with 5.5 seconds left was the difference in a 22-21 win. Now, HPA gets its shot at a BIIF D-II crown and state berth. 

Containing Konawaena quarterback Brandon Howes (2,490 yards, 24 TDs) and his cache of receivers won’t be easy, but the ’Cats haven’t played since Oct. 11. For Chase Takaki (43 receptions, 811 yards, 9 TDs) and Cameron Howes (24, 407, 6), the downtime allowed for rest, but the potential for rust as an aerial attack is there. 

When the teams played on Sept. 21, Brandon Howes was the game’s leading rusher (88 yards, TD). His favorite targets, Takaki and Cameron Howes, had a combined six grabs for 47 yards. 

Saturday

No. 6 Kahuku (6-4) vs. No. 7 Campbell (7-3), John Kauinana Stadium — It’s been a long time since the Red Raiders were pressed like this, in an elimination game with a state-tourney berth at stake. 

The Sabers have been battle-tested all fall thanks to a rugged Red West schedule. But last week’s shutout loss to Farrington had to rattle the Sabers’ cage. 

Kahuku is at its best against strong run-first teams, but Campbell’s diversity is a big task. Running back Austin May has been steady (618 yards, 4 TDs), and Hurd has been electrifying (1,881 passing yards, 618 rushing yards, 22 total TDs). Hurd spreads the ball to a group of receivers led by Kainoa Perry (45 receptions, 469 yards, four TDs) and third-down favorite Jayce Bantonlina (22, 375, 4). 

Campbell’s loss to Farrington left a blueprint for the Red Raiders: pound away on the ground, mix in some early-drive spirals, keep the defense honest. Big Red already has the option threat with Tuli Wily-Matagi (6-3, 223), a quarterback who sometimes punishes tacklers, plus Polikapo Liua up the gut and Soli Afalava (6-2, 201) on the pitchout. 

With state-title hopes still alive, Kahuku will test Campbell’s front seven again and again. And again. There will probably be a halfback option pass long before the Red Raiders start a drive with a play-action pass. That’s their blueprint, or redprint. 

Kealakehe (4-5, 4-4 BIIF) at Hilo (9-1, 8-0), Dr. Francis Wong Stadium — Not so many years ago, it was Kealakehe’s dynasty. Foes were unable and, in some cases, unwilling to challenge the gargantuan Waveriders. Today, it’s the Vikings who are the best D-I team on the island. 

The talent cycle has dipped for the ’Riders, who lost to rival Konawaena 37-23 three weeks ago. Yet, they nearly upset Hilo four weeks ago at Wong Stadium, losing 6-3. If anybody can craft an upset in this title game, it would be Kealakehe’s wily guru, Sam Papalii. 

Hilo, led by David Baldwin, has won eight in a row since a non-counting loss to Konawaena on Aug. 23. Tristin Spikes has become their top threat on the ground.