If you like rivalries and the notion of "have-nots" knocking heads with the "haves," this is your weekend.
"Crossover" games have been popular since the public-school Oahu Interscholastic Association and private-school Interscholastic League of Honolulu embraced nonconference play some years back. Since the OIA’s escape from the original ILH in 1970, most matchups between the leagues had been in the postseason.
But fast-forward a generation or so and we have intriguing matchups in mid-August, including Farrington-Saint Louis, Kamehameha-Leilehua and, perhaps most appetizing, Punahou visiting Kahuku.
Here’s a look at this weekend’s lineup.
TODAY
No. 3 Farrington (1-0) vs. No. 5 Saint Louis (0-0), Aloha Stadium: This early kickoff to Week 2’s slate offers plenty of mystery. The Govs showed that a shoulder injury to stellar running back Tyler Taumua is not a cause for worry. Backup Abraham Silva rolled up 223 yards behind a big, powerful run-blocking line. He brought power between the tackles and hyper-acceleration to the outside against a good Waianae defense.
Farrington will be tested by a Saint Louis offense that has some youth up front. The Crusaders, with first-year head coach Matt Wright, won’t be lost on the offensive side, though, thanks to returning standouts Kawai Mook-Garcia at quarterback, offensive lineman Reeve Koehler and wideout Jeremy Tabuyo.
The X-factor could be Devan Stubblefield, a junior receiver.
Castle (0-1) at Aiea (1-0): Castle hits the road again, this time against one of the OIA’s most athletic, explosive defensive units. Kamakana Apelu emerged as a breakaway threat for Aiea in last week’s win over Kaimuki, returning a kick 70 yards to paydirt and hauling in an 87-yard touchdown pass.
FRIDAY
No. 9 Campbell (1-0) at Kailua (0-1): The Sabers show no signs of slippage after losing some outstanding players to graduation. Their run-and-shoot offense is still hit-and-miss — Justin Tago-Su’e and Isaac Hurd combined for just 52 percent accuracy against Kaiser — but running back Paul-Andrew Rhoden was a steadying force by ground (16 carries, 72 yards) and air (four catches, 29 yards).
Kailua missed 12 players, including two starters, in last week’s loss to Kealakehe. All have been cleared to play this week, coach Gary Rosolowich said.
Pac-Five (1-0) at No. 10 Mililani (1-0): Mililani picked up where it left off with Jarin Morikawa at the controls. The senior passed 52 times in a victory over Moanalua, finishing with 250 yards, two touchdowns and no picks. Coach Rod York’s strategy to run more this season isn’t entirely out; the Trojans had 26 rushes.
The Wolfpack feature a potentially devastating defensive lineman (Titus Failauga) and have been dependent on the defensive unit for the past two years. Nick Kwon is rising as one of the state’s top defensive backs.
Last week’s win at Waipahu was a good test against a spread-option offense. Mililani’s attack will be a new challenge.
Waianae (0-1) at Moanalua (0-1): Waianae won’t have Farrington’s massive "Bamboolas" to reckon with, but Moanalua showed a commitment to balanced offense with 30 rushes and 32 passes last week against Mililani. Running back Ishmil Scott (13 carries, 106 yards) could take the pressure off first-year starting quarterback Maxwell Fiatoa, a 223-pound senior.
Waianae got a big boost in the kicking game last week with three field goals by Jacoby Cid.
Kapolei (1-0) vs. McKinley (0-0), Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium: Kapolei spread the wealth on the ground in last week’s battle at Pearl City. Five Hurricanes had at least seven carries and Izon Kahana was efficient in the pocket, averaging nearly 10 yards per pass attempt.
McKinley will leave for a trip to Oregon soon, making this its first nonconference game.
Damien (1-0) vs. Kaimuki (0-1), John Kauinana Stadium: Damien is off to a positive start after a 31-0 win over Kalaheo. Kyle Sato (132 yards rushing) and quarterback Syles Choy were solid, while Dustin Munar offers a deep-ball threat.
Lahainaluna (0-0) at Keaau (0-0): The visiting Lunas have two of the state’s better athletes in quarterback/defensive back Kiko Kohler-Fonohema and defensive lineman Hercules Mata’afa.
SATURDAY
No. 2 Punahou (1-0) at No. 1 Kahuku (0-0): This might be the best nonconference game of the season, a matchup of last year’s state championship game won by Kahuku 30-24. Buffanblu coach Kale Ane, an alumnus who knows his program’s history well, can’t recall Punahou ever visiting the North Shore for a game.
The Buffanblu were nearly perfect in a 48-0 win over West Anchorage (Alaska). First-time starter Kanawai Noa became the first Buffanblu receiver since 2010 to accumulate at least 100 yards. Kahuku, though, will be much deeper in the secondary than West was; the Alaskan team played without its starting secondary (suspended).
Kahuku has question marks up front that will likely transform into exclamation points soon enough. That’s the tradition of Kahuku football: hard knocks up front and explosive running backs. All-stater Aofaga Wily returns to a typically deep backfield.
No. 4 Kamehameha (1-0) at No. 6 Leilehua (1-0): The Warriors’ two-man battle at quarterback continues to bring out the best in Makoa Camanse-Stevens and Nephi Stevens. The former was exceptional in a win over Castle.
Leilehua was impressive in a 23-15 win over Alaska’s No. 2 team, Service, employing a pre-snap, shifting, stand-up defensive front. Kamehameha has a possible antidote: pounding the ball with running backs Kainoa Simao and Kalani Wengler. Or it could just go to Stevens as a wide receiver (two receptions, 71 yards).
The Mules were almost surprisingly sharp offensively, just a season since all-state offensive player of the year Kenan Sadanaga graduated. Justin Jenks and Levi Castanares were a combined 22-for-37 for 179 yards and just one pick against Service. Eight different Mules caught passes, including eight receptions for transfer Keoni Piceno.
No. 8 ‘Iolani (1-0) at Waipahu (0-1): Waipahu is turning to transfer Kaimi Paredes, who is learning a new offense — the spread option — on the fly. The offense is a duplicate of what UH ran in the late 1980s and early ’90s under Bob Wagner, and it fits the speedy personnel of the Marauders’ roster.
‘Iolani, however, was a scoring machine in last week’s 43-40 win over Konawaena. Reece Foy returned from a hip laceration, passed for 286 yards and four touchdowns without an interception, and also scrambled for 49 more yards. Chase Kanekuni (six grabs, 130 yards) and Chad Hanaoka (six, 91) combined for three touchdown catches.
Nanakuli (0-0) vs. Anuenue (0-1), Kaiser Stadium: Na Koa are back from the Big Island, where they lost to Kamehameha-Hawaii. Coach Kealoha Wengler can be optimistic, though. Kainalu Kaleo (116 yards) and Anuenue Tui (57 yards) combined to average 9.6 yards per carry.
Waialua (0-1) vs. Kalani (0-1), Kaiser Stadium: Kalani was in a deadlock with defending KIF champion Kapaa last week, tied at 21 in the fourth quarter, before surrendering three touchdowns. Waialua lost to Kauai, 43-0.
Kaiser (0-1) vs. Kalaheo (0-1), Kailua field: The Division II foes begin their OIA White schedule after nonconference losses. Kalaheo lost to Damien, while Kaiser fell at Campbell in first-year head coach Rich Miano’s debut. Linebacker/running back Fitou Fisiiahi (foot) won’t return yet, but running back/linebacker Kai Gonda is drawing rave reviews.
"He’s exactly like Kealoha Pilares was," Miano said, comparing Gonda with the former Damien and UH running back/slotback. "The same body type, the explosiveness and the intelligence."
Maui (0-0) at Konawaena (0-1): The Sabers and Wildcats were once mainstays in the old Neighbor Island Classic, but now it’s just Konawaena that sees postseason action. The ‘Cats suffered from leg cramps last week, and running back John Kamoku (elbow) missed most of the game against ‘Iolani. But receiver Dominic Morris (six grabs, 131 yards, two touchdowns) and quarterback Kahoalii Karratti were on the money.
Kapaa (1-0) at Kamehameha-Maui (0-0): Kapaa coach Kelii Morgado can be highly optimistic after last week’s 42-21 win over Kalani. Backup quarterback Fresno Masaniai helped out the defending KIF champs, and wide receiver J.J. Alonzo caught two touchdown passes, including a 72 yarder from starter Daniel Reis.
Kauai (1-0) at King Kekaulike (0-0): The Red Raiders are hitting their stride with Trey Aguano at quarterback after their win over Waialua. When this game was scheduled, King Kekaulike was still a D-I program.
Kamehameha-Hawaii (1-0) at Waiakea (1-0): The KSH Warriors got a stellar performance from Jairah Chun-Lai, who had scoring runs of 13 and 41 yards against Anuenue last week. Meanwhile, Waiakea got two touchdown passes by Dennis Rull in a win at Waimea.
Hilo (0-0) at Hawaii Prep (0-0): The two old-time rivals will make their debuts this season.
Waimea (0-1) at Honokaa (0-0): The Menehune hit the road and will fly across the state after last week’s loss to another BIIF team, Waiakea. Honokaa will play its first game.