Fans take notice when No. 1 plays No. 2

Kamehameha. Punahou.

Sometimes, they just love beating the other more than other opponents. Sometimes, they love it a lot more when first place in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu and the inside track to a first-round bye in the playoffs are at stake.

The co-leaders in the ILH will meet on Saturday night in the third game of a tripleheader at Aloha Stadium.

“The kids are more than aware when we’re playing a rival like Punahou or Saint Louis,” first-year Warriors coach Doug Cosbie said. “But we try to take it one game at a time.”

No. 1 Punahou (3-0, 1-0 ILH) rested its starters for much of last week’s 48-0 win over Damien while No. 2 Kamehameha (5-0, 2-0) went full bore to the finish in a 38-22 win over ‘Iolani. On paper, Punahou has talent across the field and can win by air or land. Kamehameha has relied heavily on a dominant defense and a punishing ground attack as its passing game slowly evolves.

Punahou has yet to play at full health. If defensive linemen Canton Kaumatule (6-7, 275) and Ruari Brady (6-4, 245) return from injuries to make their season debuts, that can only boost a unit that has surrendered a paltry 20 points in three games. Yet, the Buffanblu haven’t faced an offense so committed to the ground-and-pound game. Kamehameha’s offensive line, anchored by center Kaiwi Chung, has steamrolled up the gut and opened holes off tackle with regularity. Big, mobile blockers — including two-way lineman Kaaumoana Gifford — have operated some of the most exquisite, bone-crunching designs on the prep gridiron this fall.

Running back Brandon Kahookele has prospered, churning out 699 yards (7.1 per carry) and five touchdowns. 

While Punahou can be a quick-strike offense with All-State playmakers Larry Tuileta (641 yards, six touchdown passes) and Kanawai Noa (19 receptions, 349 yards, two TDs), it’s that pistol smashmouth attack that could give Kamehameha’s stellar front seven its toughest test yet.

Running back Kotoni Sekona (6-0, 237) sat out last week’s game, but when healthy he is a battering ram between the tackles with help from fullback Reupena Fitisemanu (6-0, 260). Sophomore Wayne Taulapapa (5-11, 185) has been a revelation, a combination of explosion and finesse who is averaging nearly 110 yards per game.

Kamehameha has an appetite for challenges. The Warriors pinned down Saint Louis’ elusive Adam Noga (seven carries, four yards) and cornered ‘Iolani’s Jordan Ross (17 attempts, 48 yards).

The Warriors have returned three picks for touchdowns in the past two weeks, the byproduct of an angry pass rush led by tall, physical defenders like Mika Tafua.

Last week’s performance against ‘Iolani was a demonstration of discipline, for the most part. The Warriors cut down drastically on the unnecessary-roughness hits and personal fouls that marked a win over Saint Louis a week earlier.

Against ‘Iolani, there were no full-blast hits on unaware, stationary foes away from the ball. Of course, that’s no guarantee that it won’t happen again, particularly in a rivalry game.

The Buffanblu aren’t concerned about all that stuff.

“Kamehameha is outstanding on defense and efficient on offense. They do a lot of underlying (defensive) schemes out of the chaos they create. There’s a logic to it,” Punahou coach Kale Ane said, acknowledging the heat of this rivalry. “It’s intense. That’s what we expect to see. The kids will follow the lead of the coaches.”

TODAY’S GAMES

Castle (2-3, 1-2 OIA Red East) at No. 5 Kahuku (2-2, 2-0) — After back-to-back, heartbreaking losses, the Knights rebounded with a 21-7 win over McKinley last week. They haven’t beaten Kahuku in their past eight tries.

No. 6 Waianae (4-1, 2-1 OIA Red West) at No. 8 Campbell (3-1, 1-1) — The wild West is a rocky road. One week, the Seariders get trounced at home by Mililani. The next, they arrive at Leilehua and hand the Mules their first loss. In other words, Waianae is still very much a band of road warriors — they had no home games last year — and that should help in hostile territory tonight. Trying to slow Isaac Hurd is another issue. The Sabers quarterback has thrown for seven touchdowns and run for another four, amassing 1,042 yards.

Kapolei (4-1, 2-1 OIA Red West) at No. 7 Leilehua (3-1, 1-1) — The Hurricanes have recovered from a blowout loss to Mililani with close wins over Waipahu and Aiea. Tristan Pebria (349 yards, five touchdowns) has steadied the ground game while Mana Reis has emerged as a weapon as a rusher and receiver (317 yards, three TDs from scrimmage). Leilehua has won the past five meetings.

No. 9 Lahainaluna (4-0, 2-0 MIL) vs. Baldwin (2-2, 2-0), War Memorial Stadium — As expected, the Lunas have been nearly omnipotent defensively, permitting just 20 points in four games. But the big test has arrived: Division-I Baldwin, which racked up 42 points against KS-Maui last week.

Nanakuli (2-2, 2-1 OIA White) at Kaiser (3-1, 3-0) — The Golden Hawks are improving gradually, but the Cougars will be focused against a team that knocked them out of the playoffs last year. Fitou Fisiiahi, an Oregon State commit, has bulldozed his way to 325 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground while holding down his other job as one of the state’s top linebackers. Thomas Leong has ascended as a top rusher with 259 yards (12.3 per carry) and five touchdowns in conference play.

Waialua (1-4, 1-3 OIA White) at Radford (4-1, 3-1) — Cody Lui-Yuen’s job got easier as the Rams hit the ground running in a win over Kalani last week. If Tobias Powell (185 yards, four touchdowns) continues running well, Lui-Yuen (21-for-26, 288 yards, no picks) will be Mr. Efficiency.

Kalani (2-3, 2-2 OIA White) at Roosevelt (1-4, 1-3) — The Falcon defense has had its ups (Pearl City scored eight points, Kalaheo 17) and downs (160 points combined by ‘Iolani, Kaiser and Radford).

That puts more weight on quarterback Noah Brum to be effective. The senior has compiled big stats — 1,378 yards, 15 TDs in five games — but the key number is just two picks in his last three games.

Anuenue (0-4, 0-3 OIA White) at Pearl City (2-2, 2-1) — Na Koa made strides despite a loss to Roosevelt last week, getting on the scoreboard for the first time this season. The Chargers are on a roll with 87 points in their past two games, including a big 49-8 win over Kalaheo last week.

Hawaii Prep (3-1, 1-1 BIIF) at Waiakea (2-2, 1-1), Wong Stadium — The Div. II Ka Makani responded to a home loss against Hilo with a stunning 34-21 win at Kealakehe. Bobby Lum hit the century mark (101 rushing yards, one TD) in the victory. Waiakea relies on Devin Preston, one of the league’s top rushers.

Keaau (0-2, 0-2 BIIF) at Konawaena (3-1, 2-0) — Never mind that Konawaena is in Div. II. Or that it’s been years since Keaau seriously challenged for the league’s D-I crown. The Cougars gave Kealakehe some trouble two weeks ago before taking a blowout loss from Hilo. Brandon Howes, a transfer from KS-Hawaii, has passed for 1,344 yards and 13 touchdowns at Konawaena.

Kauai (3-0, 1-0 KIF) at Waimea (1-3, 0-1), Hanapepe Ballpark — After high-scoring outputs in two nonconference wins, the Red Raiders showed they can thrive in a gritty, defensive battle in last week’s 6-3 victory over Kapaa. Red Raiders running back Reggie McFadden leads Kauai’s rushing attack.

Seabury Hall (1-0, 0-0 MIL 8-man) vs. Hana (0-0, 0-0) — The Spartans, defending MIL 8-man champions, already have a win notched on their post after winning at Ka‘u 32-20 last week.

SATURDAY’S GAMES

No. 3 Saint Louis (3-1, 1-1 ILH) vs. No. 10 ‘Iolani (3-2, 1-1), Aloha Stadium — Ryder Kuhns has 997 yards, 12 touchdowns and a bodacious passer rating of 189.73 after four games. The Crusaders have taken the past four matchups with the Raiders, who won 35-30 in 2008. Current running back Jordan Ross has 561 yards and 10 touchdowns. The sophomore is averaging 16.2 yards per carry against D-II defenses and 3.5 yards per attempt against D-I foes (Leilehua, Kamehameha).

St. Francis (1-2, 0-1 ILH) vs. Damien (2-2, 1-1), Aloha Stadium — The Monarchs have already beaten Pac-Five and now have the league’s other D-II teams lined up the next two weekends. Trevor Caspillo has been one of their ironmen. The senior leads the team in rushing, receiving and plays defensive back, too.

Farrington (2-2, 2-0 OIA Red East) vs. McKinley (3-2, 2-1), Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium — The Governors are finding their legs after a bumpy start. Sanele Lavatai rushed for 157 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Kailua. Farrington is 7-0-1 against the Tigers since 2003.

Aiea (2-3, 0-3 OIA Red West) at Waipahu (1-3, 0-2) — A promising 2-0 start has turned into a three-game losing streak in league play for Na Alii. A win on the road would be a step toward one of five playoff berths in the West. The Marauders have been thwarted in the air. Their quarterbacks have thrown nine picks already.

Moanalua (1-4, 1-2 OIA Red East) vs. Kaimuki (1-3, 0-2), Kaiser Stadium — The Bulldogs had a bye week to rest up for this matchup in the East playoff chase. Running back Randon Tuitama has been a bright spot and could have a productive day against a Moanalua defense that gave up 236 rushing yards in a loss to Kahuku last week.

Maui (3-1, 1-1 MIL) at Kamehameha-Maui (1-3, 1-2) — Onosai Emelio shares the load out of the backfield for the run-first Sabers. The Warriors’ passing attack, with Chase Newton at the controls, came to life with 35 points against Baldwin last week. 

Kamehameha-Hawaii (2-2, 1-1 BIIF) at Kealakehe (1-2, 1-1) — The D-II Warriors, who edged Waiakea 27-25 last week, are getting a solid season from running back Ina Teofilo. Defending D-I league champ Kealakehe is young and finding its way.

Honokaa (0-3, 0-2) at Hilo (3-1, 2-0), Wong Stadium — The Vikings dominated Keaau last week, the same team that gave Kealakehe issues recently. Hilo did it with a strong rushing attack in an alternating quarterback rotation.

St. Anthony (0-0) at Molokai (0-0) — The Farmers were the deepest team in MIL 8-man football last season and came just one win short of the league’s inaugural 8-man title.

STANDINGS