Crunch time in prep football

Marquee teams are normally the ones that learn to play together from the start.

But what about the squads that have found their flow in midstream? With the top regular-season finishers in the OIA Red taking an opening-round break, the "play-in" round kicks off with a few of the hottest teams in the league.

The hottest team might be one that actually lost last weekend. Waianae went to Leilehua and rattled that cage to the end in a 36-34 loss. The Seariders had won three in a row before that, and a Seariders victory would have put the Red West standings in chaos. Instead, Waianae is in survival mode as the playoffs begin.

Then there’s the rush to the playoff door in the OIA White, where hungry teams like Kalani are clinging to a thread of hope.

Here’s a look at this week’s matchups.

Today

Kalani (4-3 OIA White, 4-4) at Kaiser (6-1 OIA White, 6-2): Friend vs. friend. Ex-coworker vs. ex-coworkers. Boil down the essence of the glory days in the June Jones era at UH, and the footprints of Kaiser coach Rich Miano and Kalani coordinators Ron and Cal Lee are everywhere. The former UH assistants will bring their decades of experience to opposing sidelines for the first time since departing Manoa.

Miano has already embraced the excitement and hype for the game, which was moved to an earlier date to accommodate TV viewing. Ron Lee, disciple of run-and-shoot guru Mouse Davis, has often been comfortable with media attention, even accommodating the Star-Advertiser in a 2011 video about Kalani football.

Then there’s Cal Lee, the iconic coach who was at the helm of Saint Louis’ football dynasty in the 1980s and ’90s.

Translating all that to Division II prep football is fascinating, at least from the outside. Kalani quarterback Noah Brum is learning on the job. The junior has passed for 1,372 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has also tossed 10 picks, including five in last week’s loss at Pearl City.

His favorite targets include Enrique Gruver, who ranks among the state’s best wide receivers with 27 receptions, 531 yards and four touchdowns.

Kaiser clearly has the edge when it comes to ironman playmakers. Fitou Fisiiahi is a 6-foot-2, 240-pound wrecking ball as a linebacker and running back. His explosiveness with the ball is a luxury few teams in D-I or D-II have.

Kaiser also has one of the top utility athletes in the state, Kai Gonda. The senior rushed for a season-high 138 yards two weeks ago against Radford, and remains the only player in the state who has scored at least one touchdown by rush, reception, punt return, kickoff return and fumble return. He has also thrown a touchdown pass as a wildcat quarterback. All the remains for him to do to complete the "cycle" is to return a pick to the house.

Friday

No. 5 Saint Louis (4-1 ILH, 5-3) vs. No. 7 Kamehameha (3-2 ILH, 5-3), Aloha Stadium: Two weeks ago, Kawai Mook-Garcia got his first extended stint at quarterback in a month in a key battle with Kamehameha. The senior stepped up and delivered: 330 yards on 17-for-24 passing with four touchdowns and no picks.

Can he do it again?

The Crusaders trail first-place Punahou, while Kamehameha is out of the postseason picture if it falls. But the Warriors can create a mess at the top by upending Saint Louis and Punahou (next week).

Makoa Camanse-Stevens has been efficient (182 pass attempts without a pick). The senior had his season high with 280 passing yards in the 34-23 loss to Saint Louis on Sept. 28. He may lean on deep threat Austin Gerard (26 catches, 450 yards, four touchdowns), but coach David Stant’s system is about hitting soft spots. Gerard toasted Saint Louis’ secondary last time (7-145-1). He’s less likely to get the same separation tomorrow.

Saint Louis has weapons in its cache that are matched by few. Wide receiver Jeremy Tabuyo (41-689-10) continues to play spectacular football since rehabbing from an ACL tear last season. The key might be running back Adam Noga (744 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns), who exploded out of the gate, but has been quietly effective since injuring a hamstring.

No. 9 Konawaena (5-1 BIIF D-II, 5-4) at Ka‘u (1-5 BIIF D-II, 1-5): Quarterback Kahoali‘i Karratti got back on track last week in a blowout win at Honokaa with four touchdown strikes. The senior has 1,911 passing yards with a state-high 30 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Linebacker Mikey Rabara leads a defense that has permitted fewer than 11 points per game.

Waipahu (2-6) at Moanalua (4-4): Run-first offenses (Waianae, Farrington, Kahuku) have given Na Menehune some trouble this season, but Waipahu’s double-slot option is less smashmouth and more about misdirection. The mobility and strong arm of Kaimi Paredes (328 rushing yards, six touchdowns) will be a big challenge. Last week, Mililani limited the speedster to negative yardage for the first time this season.

Waipahu wide receiver Dylan Pakau continues to astound. He has 33 catches for 791 yards and nine touchdowns and has yet to be kept out of the end zone by any foe this fall.

The Marauders, who have been in one close loss after another, have been lit up by passing teams. Moanalua depends heavily on Micah Kaneshiro, who has thrown for 21 touchdowns and 14 picks. That gung-ho aerial attack has made up for a rushing game that’s been grounded. Moanalua hasn’t had a 100-yard rusher since Ishmil Scott had 138 yards in a win over Kailua on Aug. 24.

Campbell (5-3) vs. McKinley (4-4), Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium: The Sabers had a bye last week and the rest time should help after a rugged Red West slate. Justin Tago-Su‘e will be on the hot seat again. The Sabers quarterback could hand the ball to Paul-Andrew Rhoden, but McKinley’s stonewalling defense — led by linebacker Mathias Tuitele-Iafeta — has been powerful against the run all season.

Getting receivers Brannon Bantolina and Jayce Bantolina open against an athletic Tigers secondary will be quite a task.

McKinley got nearly 200 rushing yards from Gerime Bradley in last week’s win over Castle, but Campbell’s defense, sparked by linebacker Solomon Leaeno, won’t be hospitable.

Castle (1-7) at Kapolei (5-3): The ‘Canes haven’t abandoned their passing game by any means — Alzon Kahana threw the ball 26 times against Aiea last week. But as Jacob Kukahiko goes, so goes the offense. The 5-11, 210-pound senior had season highs of 20 carries and 117 yards in a crucial 34-20 win.

Pac-Five (2-6) vs. Damien (3-5), Aloha Stadium: The Wolfpack ran away in their previous meeting four weeks ago for a 40-12 win. ‘Pack running back Keoni Tom-Millare had a career-high 150 yards on 32 carries that afternoon. The Monarchs can move the chains against a sturdy Pac-Five defense. Running back Kyle Sato had 100 yards on 26 attempts in that earlier matchup.

Nanakuli (4-3 OIA White, 4-3) at Waialua (0-7 OIA White, 0-8): The Golden Hawks’ playoff chances are up in the air following last week’s loss to Radford, but they can push for a winning season against the Bulldogs. Chazz Troutman, just a junior, still has the highest single-game rushing total this season by a quarterback (247 yards against Kalani).

Roosevelt (1-6 OIA White, 1-6) vs. Kalaheo (4-3 OIA White, 4-4), Kailua field: Like Nanakuli, the Mustangs are holding on to hope for a playoff berth. They are currently in a tie for fourth place — and the last playoff berth — with Nanakuli and Kalani. A win over Roosevelt won’t be easy. The Rough Riders posted their first win last week against Waialua and have found some offensive consistency with Jonathan Youn and Kainalu Pitoy on the ground.

Hilo (2-2 BIIF D-I, 5-2) vs. Waiakea (2-3 BIIF D-I, 3-5), Wong Stadium: The Vikings were superb defensively last week in a 14-6 loss to Kealakehe. Lineman Isi Tanikeni had two sacks against the Waveriders.

Keaau (0-4 BIIF D-I, 0-7) at Kealakehe (5-0 BIIF D-I, 7-1): The winless record is deceiving. The Cougars have almost always given the Waveriders trouble. Even their first-round matchup three weeks ago was no gimmie, a 34-22 Kealakehe win. But the ‘Riders are committed to using their massive offensive linemen and steady corps of ballcarriers to grind out wins. Lennox Jones rushed for 146 yards and caught four passes for 40 more yards in last week’s win at Hilo. Linebacker Manase Hungalu, a 6-2, 210-pound senior, had a stellar performance. He has scholarship offers from Oregon State, Hawaii, UNLV and Idaho, according to coach Sam Papalii.

Kamehameha-Maui (2-4 MIL, 2-5) at King Kekaulike (0-5 MIL, 0-6): Coach Kevin O’Brien’s squad is committed to its ground attack, handing the ball to Stephen Barut. Quarterback Chase Newton stepped in last week with Kalai Yap out (injury).

Saturday

No. 9 Lahainaluna (6-0 MIL, 7-0) vs. Baldwin (4-1 MIL, 4-2), War Memorial Stadium: The Lunas’ string of scoreless wins in league play came to an end in last week’s 35-3 win over KS-Maui. They’ll have to contend with a healthy Keelan Ewaliko this time. The speedy playmaker didn’t suit up last month in Lahainaluna’s 32-0 shellacking, but has returned and played in three wins, amassing 347 passing yards with six touchdowns and just one pick. Ewaliko, who has committed to UH, has also rushed for 350 yards and seven touchdowns on just 25 carries in that span.

Kiko Kohler-Fonohema remains the two-way anchor of Lahainaluna’s backfield, while Hercules Mata‘afa has been a rock in the trenches. Semisi Filikitonga has emerged as a playmaker. He had a touchdown catch and a pick-6 in last week’s win.

Kailua (2-6) vs. Waianae (4-4), John Kauinana Stadium (Mililani): The Surfriders have picked up momentum defensively, but offense has been a struggle with 14 points in losses to McKinley and Farrington. The absence of running back Jarrin Young is a factor.

Waianae has been back on track since going back to the ground-and-pound game. Jemery Willes and Alakai Kealoha have combined for 635 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in the past four games, helping the Seariders turn their season around. They went from averaging 12 points per game in their first four games to 30 points per game in the last four.

Defensive tackle Kennedy Tulimasealii had four sacks in the close loss at Leilehua last week.

Radford (4-1 OIA White, 4-2) vs. Anuenue (2-5 OIA White, 2-6), Kaiser Stadium: The education of Cody Lui-Yuen continues under coach Fred Salanoa. He passed for 312 yards and three touchdowns in a bounce-back win over Nanakuli. He has thrown for at least 300 yards in three of his last four games and now has 1,936 yards and 22 touchdowns.

His favorite target is sophomore Jameson Pasigan (38 receptions, 582 yards, 10 touchdowns), but Dre‘ell Blackwell and running back Chris Jackson are effective targets, too.

Na Koa enter their final game with a well-deserved extra week of rest. Kainalu Kaleo is still atop the rushing leaders list with 1,308 yards and 15 touchdowns. Teammate Anuenue Tui (775 yards, seven touchdowns) also ranks among the top rushers.

Honokaa (4-2 BIIF D-II, 5-3) at Kamehameha-Hawaii (5-1 BIIF D-II, 8-1): A sweet run of three straight wins came to a halt with last week’s loss to Konawaena. Now the Dragons need a win over KS-Hawaii to keep second-round title hopes alive. The Warriors won the first-round duel against Honokaa 19-15. Shaun Kagawa is the difference maker. The cornerback/linebacker/wide receiver lined up at running back and ran for 128 yards and two touchdowns in the first-round matchup.

Waimea (1-3 KIF, 2-4) at Kauai (3-1 KIF, 6-1), Vidinha Stadium: Though the Menehune made a statement with an early win over defending KIF champ Kapaa, they have been outscored 55-13 in two losses to Kauai.

The Red Raiders, who rushed for 172 yards in a 31-6 win over Waimea three weeks ago, can clinch a tie for first place with a win tomorrow. They will play Kapaa (2-2 KIF, 4-2) next week in the regular-season finale.