HECO may want to consider double-checking those wattage levels tonight.
The eighth week of the fall prep football season brings a surplus of Friday night lights. All but two of the weekend games will be played tonight, including seven of the squads in the Star-Advertiser Top 10.
In Central Oahu, there’s nothing quite like the rivalry between Mililani and Leilehua, where cousins take on cousins. Go back far enough, and there are brothers who battled on the playing field.
The Mules lead the series 21-13 (with one draw) and have won the past two meetings. But No. 3-ranked Mililani is building a dynasty, even out in the wild OIA Red West. The Trojans are doing it with a defense that Campbell coach Amosa Amosa calls the "best front seven" he’s seen this year.
They’re also doing it with a ground game that brings some peace of mind to Trojans coach Rod York. Sophomore Vavae Malepeai has been a godsend of sorts, rushing for 673 yards and 10 touchdowns. He missed the game at Waipahu, but returned to help his team rally past Campbell on Saturday.
Malepeai rushed for a season-high 187 yards and tied a season-high with 26 carries.
With two games left in the regular season, the Trojans (5-1 overall) are unbeaten at 4-0 in the division and can clinch the No. 1 slot in the playoffs — with a win. They’re the one team that has given No. 1-ranked Punahou, the leader in the ILH standings — its closest game.
But even with a dominant defense and ground attack, the Trojans haven’t mastered their aerial show just yet. Sophomore McKenzie Milton had his mistakes as they fell behind 21-7 against Campbell, throwing a pick-6 before the half. But he was superb in the second stanza, even running for a 46-yard touchdown on a botched draw play that was supposed to go to Malepeai, and finished 19-for-25 for 211 yards and two touchdown passes.
But this is a rivalry game that might fuel the 10th-ranked Mules (4-2, 2-2) even more than usual. Scoring has not been a big problem for Leilehua, which has put up at least 21 points in each game. As expected, the Mules have made use of their receiving talent. Tristin Kamaka (31 receptions, 394 yards, six touchdowns), Dustin Ancheta-Maeda (25, 297, 1) and running back Ikaika Piceno (17, 201, 1).
Piceno, a breakaway threat, has scored four touchdowns on the ground and one more as a kick returner. He’s averaging 7.6 yards per rush.
Quarterback Mack Eberhardt, a transfer, has been fairly efficient with 985 passing yards and eight touchdowns to go with five interceptions. His ability to run with the ball has been handy as a scrambler more than as a pure rushing threat. For the most part, the Mules have kept the senior in the pocket, where he has completed 55 percent of his passes while learning a new system.
While the Mules no-huddle up and down the field, the Trojans will often pin their ears back and fly to the ball. Defensive end Kelii Padello continues to be a sack man, a nightmare for much bigger but slower offensive tackles.
Leilehua’s defense will face the same burden much of the Red West has already carried. Mililani is averaging 40 points per game in division play, while the Mules are surrendering 39.5.
TODAY’S GAMES
No. 4 Saint Louis (4-1, 2-1 ILH) vs. Damien (3-3, 2-2), Aloha Stadium — In terms of quarterback efficiency, nobody in the ILH comes close to Crusaders senior Ryder Kuhns, who has a rating of 197.98. That’s more than 30 points better than Punahou’s Larry Tuileta and a few points better than the 2010, senior-year Saint Louis passer rating of a certain, current Heisman Trophy candidate, Marcus Mariota of Oregon.
No. 5 Kahuku (4-2, 4-0) at Kailua (2-4, 2-2) — The Red Raiders see a lot of frenemies on the field, and most times, those fellas across the line are waiting in the box. McKinley lined up with as many as nine there last week, daring quarterback Tuli Wily-Matagi to sling the ball. Which he did quite well.
No. 8 Kapolei (5-1, 3-1) at No. 6 Waianae (5-2, 3-2) — These bruise brothers will make this a quick game, probably. The Hurricanes love to put the ball in the hands of Tristan Pebria (445 yards, 6 TDs) and Mana Reis (64 touches, 415 yards, 6 TDs from scrimmage). The Seariders love to go lightning and thunder with Jemery Willes (502, 5) and Mahvan Tau (470, 4). The Seariders have no hesitation about going deep. Kekoa Kaluhiokalani has completed just 41 percent of his passes but has eight touchdown passes and a yards-per-attempt of 7.7. Five of his scoring strikes have gone to speedster Pookela Noa-Nakamoto (24 catches, 499 yards).
Waipahu (2-4, 1-3 OIA Red West) at No. 7 Campbell (4-2, 2-2) — The Cane Knife Classic could be a dud if the Marauders don’t get over last week’s 39-0 loss at Waianae. Sabers coach Amosa Amosa is 3-0 in this rivalry as a head coach. His athletic director, Sam Delos Reyes, was 6-3 as Waipahu’s coach more than a decade ago. As Campbell’s AD, he is 6-1 in the series.
Castle (2-4, 1-3 OIA Red East) at Moanalua (2-5, 2-3) — Both teams love to throw the ball, which should make for a long, entertaining evening. Na Menehune quarterback Micah Kaneshiro threw 62 passes in the loss to Farrington last week. Meshed into his school-record 465 yards were three touchdowns and three picks. Moanalua’s conversion from a run-first team a few years back to an all-out aerial assault puts receivers Chad Aragon (49, 619, 6), Donald Lambert (43, 493, 7) and Jason Sharsh (41, 706, 5) to work.
Kaimuki (1-5, 0-4 OIA Red East) vs. Farrington (4-2, 4-0), Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium — Sanele Lavatai had the game of his life in last week’s wild 41-38 win over Moanalua. With 33 carries for 276 yards (and 2 TDs), he nearly doubled his season total for rushes in one night. The Governors have won the past six meetings. Kaimuki last avoided a loss in 2001 with a 7-all tie.
Pac-Five (0-5, 0-3 ILH) vs. St. Francis (1-4, 0-3), Aloha Stadium — This inaugural meeting between these programs includes five Saints who were projected to start for Pac-Five before St. Francis opted to start its varsity program. The Saints will be familiar enough with Pac-Five’s scrambling quarterback, Anthony Canencia (734 passing yards, 6 TD passes). The ‘Pack will have to contend with the Saints’ option quarterback, Ranan Mamiya (296 rushing yards).
Roosevelt (1-6, 1-5 OIA White) at Kaiser (5-1, 5-0) — Rough Riders coach Jeff Azuma is the brain child of creativity if and when he’s got the right tools. Many years ago, he fashioned a funky "Flamingo" offense that led to a 23-6 upset win over Kahuku. It would take that kind of preparation and execution to keep up with the Cougars, who have completely annihilated D-II competition this fall. Fitou Fisiiahi, their 231-pound former rugby star, has rushed for 415 yards and nine touchdowns.
Pearl City (4-2, 4-1 OIA White) at Nanakuli (2-4, 2-3) — The Chargers would be wise to keep a lid on Nanakuli standout Chazz Troutman, who returned to quarterback and accounted for 314 yards and three touchdowns from scrimmage in a near upset of Kalani last week. That performance included a 79-yard touchdown run.
Kalaheo (2-4, 2-3 OIA White) at Waialua (1-5, 1-4) — The Mustangs continue to scrap and battle in the playoff chase despite a thin roster. Makena Johnston (569 rushing yards, seven TDs) is averaging 11.6 yards per carry behind a line anchored by center/defensive tackle Josh Tupouniua (6-0, 270).
Konawaena (5-1, 4-0 BIIF) at Waiakea (3-4, 2-2) — The Wildcats were clutch in last week’s 22-21 comeback win over Hawaii Prep. John Replogle’s 37-yard field goal with no time left came with only 10 Wildcats on the field. Now they turn their focus to the Warriors, who rely heavily on running back Devin Preston.
Kamehameha-Hawaii (3-3, 2-2 BIIF) at Honokaa (0-5, 0-4) — Last week’s 36-10 loss to the league’s D-I leader, Hilo, ended a two-game win streak (Waiakea, Kealakehe) for the Warriors. But they have reason to be optimistic about the D-II race.
SATURDAY’S GAMES
No. 1 Punahou (5-0, 3-0 ILH) at ‘Iolani (4-3, 2-2) — The Raiders can score against any foe, D-I or D-II, but stopping opposing ground attacks is a monumental task. Punahou has a sledgehammer attack featuring left guard Semisi Uluave (6-5, 310), left tackle Davis Miyashiro-Saipa’ia (6-2, 280), fullback Reupena Fitisemanu (6-0, 260) and tailbacks Kotoni Sekona (6-0, 237) and Wayne Taulapapa (5-11, 185).
Anuenue (0-6, 0-5) vs. Kalani (4-3, 4-2), Kaiser Stadium — After forfeiting last week, Anuenue is back on the field against the Falcons. Na Koa reverted from their run-oriented double-wing offense of years past in favor of a more balanced scheme this season. Kalani might have the blueprint for all smaller programs who like to air it out. Noah Brum has prospered in his second season at quarterback. In seven games, he has passed for 2,142 yards, 26 touchdowns and just eight picks. Brandon Roberts (45, 550, 11), Trevor Yamashita (43, 750, 7) and Blaise Manabe (32, 436, 4) have enjoyed the show.
Kauai (4-0, 2-0 KIF) vs. Kapaa, Vidinha Stadium — The Red Raiders remain a mystery to most of the state, but not to the Warriors. Kauai squeaked out a 6-3 win the last time the teams met.
Kealakehe (2-3, 2-2 BIIF) at Hilo (5-1, 4-0), Wong Stadium — After opening the season with three losses in four games, the Waveriders are feeling better. Last week’s 67-0 win over Honokaa was a relief, but now the ‘Riders cross the island to play the first-place team in D-I.
Keaau (0-4, 0-4 BIIF) at Hawaii Prep (4-2, 2-2) — Ka Makani fumbled away a 21-7 lead and lost to Konawaena last week. Keaau is struggling through one of its worst seasons.
Kamehameha-Maui (1-4, 1-3 MIL) at King Kekaulike (0-4, 0-4) — Na Alii showed significant improvement despite the loss to Maui last week. The Warriors, who skunked King Kekaulike 29-0 early in the season, will take the field without head coach Cody Nakamura (suspension).
Baldwin (3-3, 3-1 MIL) vs. Maui (4-2, 2-2), War Memorial Stadium — The Bears don’t want to slip up against the Sabers, an intense rival for decades.
Eight-man: Seabury Hall (3-0, 2-0 MIL) at Molokai (1-0, 1-0) — The Spartans have picked up where they left off last season and look like the best team in the 8-man game again. The Farmers finished second to Seabury Hall last season. They blanked Hana 42-0 last week.
