So much is gone. Gone as in eliminated.
Mililani’s prolific passing game, featuring Jarin Morikawa, Deshawn Duncan-Benson and Kaimi Wilson, ousted by No. 1 Farrington.
Moanalua and Waianae, with their stubborn defenses, also knocked out in last week’s opening round of the playoffs.
Then there was Aiea, which had Campbell on the ropes before falling 13-7. In a year of strong defenses and young, rebuilding offenses, Aiea was certainly in that mold. What’s left of the Oahu Interscholastic Association playoffs?
Two pass-first offenses and two smashmouth offenses in the OIA Red tournament.
No. 2 Kahuku (8-1) vs. No. 3 Leilehua (8-0-1)
On paper: There’s quite a storied history between these programs in recent years, when they couldn’t seem to avoid one another en route to league titles and state berths. Last year, Kahuku downed Leilehua 46-16 in the OIA Red semifinals, only to be banned from the remainder of the postseason by the league, and Leilehua went on to reach the state tournament semifinals.
In 2009, Kahuku squeezed past Leilehua 24-21 in the OIA Red final.
In ’08, the Mules finished third in the OIA Red, then upset Kahuku 17-10 in overtime at the state tourney to reach the final.
In ’07, Leilehua rode the arm of a sophomore quarterback, Andrew Manley, to the state title. Kahuku, ranked No. 1 in preseason, fell to Kapolei in the opening round of the OIA playoffs and didn’t face the Mules.
This time around, Kahuku coach Reggie Torres has a veteran, athletic secondary that will be tested by Kenan Sadanaga and one of the state’s top receivers, Jeremiah Andrade.
Kahuku nearly went unbeaten through the regular season despite nagging injuries to running back Aofaga Wily, who rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s 20-16 win over Waianae.
The skinny: Leilehua covers well and pass rushes well. That works better in the Red West, where passing offenses are common. Kahuku is content to pass the ball five times a game, and just pound between the tackles. Backup quarterback Kawehena Johnson provides a twist with his ability to run the option.
X factor: Unlike previous seasons, Kahuku has not relied on a go-to tight end. Because of the nature of the smashmouth offense, quarterback Viliami Livai hasn’t developed a connection with any of his talented receivers. Yet.
No. 1 Farrington (9-0) vs. No. 5 Campbell (7-1)
On paper: Campbell’s swarming defense is especially tough against the run, permitting just 46 yards per game. In fact, the only team to score more than 21 points on the Sabers so far has been Leilehua. Unlike most run-and-shoot teams, the Sabers have been geared by coach Amosa Amosa to think physical.
"Amosa has the guys on the West side believing," said Saint Louis coach Darnell Arceneaux, who has done his share of scouting the Sabers over the years. "They’re a spread team with a physical nature. They run downfield and block. That’s a little different."
Farrington coach Randall Okimoto, with the great wall of "Bamboolas" blocking up front, has stuck to the plan from the start. Junior Tyler Taumua has 1,451 rushing yards — on pace to break a state record — and 14 touchdowns despite injury. He racked up 164 yards in last week’s narrow win over Mililani.
The skinny: After facing a young Red East in the regular season, Farrington’s pass defense has been tested in the playoffs. Last week, Mililani exploited Farrington’s defensive flaws and registered well over 300 passing yards.
Campbell’s quarterbacks, Justin Tago-Su‘e and Isaac Hurd, offer different strengths. Tago-Su‘e can be a surgeon in the passing game, while Hurd is the bigger, more physical athlete who loves a quarterback draw call.
X factor: Aiea tried to establish a ground attack last week without consistent success, and that made life easier for Campbell’s defense. Farrington’s passing game is highly reliant on Taumua’s one-cut explosiveness between the tackles. If Campbell can’t stop Taumua before his cut, the Governors will keep the Sabers’ aerial attack grounded.
