Season will end for one of state’s top teams

Elimination is not usually a pleasant word.

But from the North Shore to the slopes of Punchbowl to the familiar confines of Aloha Stadium, some of the state’s best prep football teams will call it a season.

Even in Division II, the season is on the line for some of the most prolific, record-setting offenses in recent history. While the OIA Red (D-I) has its quarterfinal round and the White Conference is already in state-tourney-or-bust mode, Kamehameha and Saint Louis will square off on Saturday at Aloha Stadium just for a shot at the state tourney.

Third-ranked Kamehameha (8-1, 5-1 ILH) and No. 4 Saint Louis (6-2, 4-2) are at the heart of a playoff triangle, the ILH’s first in years. Going back to the old first round-second round format in the 1990s, the league had since crowned its regular-season champion. Period.

But now, the D-I runner-up (Kamehameha) meets the third-place team (Saint Louis), and the winner will take on regular-season winner Punahou next week. Punahou is already assured a spot in the league championship game (if necessary). 

If the Buffanblu win the playoff round, the ILH championship is theirs. But if Punahou loses, there will be a rematch between the teams for the league crown.

Not everyone is pleased with the new format. Instead of meeting twice, the league’s D-I teams met just once in the regular season. Then again, this gives Saturday’s combatants an opportunity to show their mettle under pressure.

An ILH title — and a state championship — are still within reach.

For Saint Louis, reaching for an ILH crown after losing twice in league play isn’t entirely unique. The Crusaders did it under Delbert Tengan years ago, but even Tengan’s teams didn’t necessarily have the aerial firepower that this season’s squad has.

Ryder Kuhns, a 6-foot-1, 225-pound junior, has passed for 1,720 yards, 22 touchdowns and just four picks in seven games.

A part-time starter last year, he was sometimes brilliant early in the season. He passed for 371 yards and four touchdowns without an interception in a 45-24 win over Kahuku.

Then Kamehameha roughed him up with early and late hits, limiting him to 18-for-32 passing, 291 yards, two TDs and three picks in a 38-17 Warriors win.

Since then, because of the new schedule format, he’s been truly tested only once: against top-ranked Punahou two weeks ago. Kuhns showed every bit of his potential that night, completing 22 of his 38 attempts for 332 yards and four touchdowns in a 35-32 loss. It was unbeaten Punahou’s closest victory margin this fall.

No D-I passer has a quarterback rating like Kuhns’ (198.16). It’s a number that’s even higher than that of a certain Heisman Trophy candidate back in 2010. Kamehameha, with arguably the finest front seven in the state, flooded the backfield with pass rushers back in late August en route to victory.

But like current Oregon star Marcus Mariota, Kuhns has scrambling ability and can hurt defenses when coverage is tight. So far, the Crusaders haven’t shown a consistent willingness to let Kuhns punish defenses that way, but he’s exposed overzealous defenses just enough. It could make the biggest difference on Saturday.

The Warriors blanketed Kuhns’ primary long-ball threat, Devan Stubblefield, in that first meeting. Stubblefield isSaint Louis’ second D-I college prospect at the position in as many years — Jeremy Tabuyo is now at Texas A&M — and had a solid game with seven catches for 59 yards and one TD. Their other deep threat, sophomore Drew Kobayashi, had a breakout game with three grabs for 134 yards and a score.

It still wasn’t enough. After taking a late hit, Kuhns wasn’t the same, throwing two of his three picks in the fourth quarter, including one that was returned for a pick-6 by Gavin Panui.

Crusaders slotback Allen Cui (three receptions, 43 yards) and running back Adam Noga (seven carries, 4 yards) were stifled. Noga, in particular, was on the receiving end of a head-to-head cheap shot 30 yards away from the ball that led to a personal-foul flag on the Warriors. Noga was de-cleated by the hit, landing on his head. The ILH determined that no further disciplinary action was required.

It was, by most accounts, a game dominated by Kamehameha’s physicality on defense. The Warriors paid the price with some yellow flags, a price worth paying that night, apparently.

The Warriors have had their share of adversity since. Their dominant defense got no help from an offense that struggled in a 24-0 loss to Punahou. Until then, they had permitted just 42 points in six games. Not long after, offensive line coach Dean Chung departed, forced out by forces beyond the coaching staff, and offensive coordinator Donovan Raiola walked out. Enter Vince Manuwai, the former pro and UH standout, and veteran assistant Eric Kane.

The playbook is unlikely to change this late in the season, but the health of starting running back Brandon Kahookele is a concern. Yes, the Warriors have a shifty, speedy back in Kainoa Simao, who rushed for 291 yards in last week’s 65-0 win over Damien. But Kahookele (786 yards, five TDs) is the thunder to Simao’s lightning, and has not played since the loss to Punahou on Sept. 14.

Kahookele rushed for 61 yards, caught three passes for 24 yards and had a combined three touchdowns in the Aug. 30 win over Saint Louis. Simao finished with 87 rushing yards. They are both likely to see a stuffed box in the rematch. That will put the onus on a talented offensive line, led by center Kaiwi Chung, and first-year quarterback Noah Sua-Godinet.

The Warriors like to use 6-4 defensive end Kaaumoana Gifford as an extra tight end for PATs and goal-line situations. But if Sua-Godinet (760 passing yards, seven TDs, six interceptions) struggles to get the ball to wide receivers Kaulana Werner (19, 204) and William Young (18, 334, 4), it’ll be a max-protection kind of night.

That would tilt things in Saint Louis’ direction.

Sua-Godinet, a converted wide receiver, may be the swiftest of quarterbacks in the ILH. He has rushed for 164 yards (4.7 per carry) and three touchdowns. His feet made a difference in the win over Saint Louis: six carries, 36 yards.

WEEKEND OF FRIDAY, OCT. 18

FRIDAY’S GAMES

No. 5 Waianae (7-2, 5-2 OIA Red) at No. 8 Kahuku (5-3, 5-1) — The Red Raiders were 3-0 at home this season, scoring more than 40 points per game. But none of those opposing defenses bring what Waianae has. The Seariders’ front seven, sparked by Senio Samisoni (6-2, 270) and Justice Jardine (6-0, 190), shut down Castle in a 37-7 opening-round win last week.

Kahuku’s defense will relish a smashmouth battle. Waianae running backs Jemery Willes (665 yards, six TDs) and Mahvan Tau (594, 4) thrive in an option attack directed by Kekoa Kaluhiokalani (423, 5). Whether the senior quarterback is precise with his passing is a make-or-break factor.

The Red Raiders had a bye last week, which means two weeks have passed since a 21-7 loss to Farrington. After scoring 33, 48, 44 and 49 points, they faithfully stayed on the ground against Farrington and got stonewalled. Like Kaluhiokalani, the onus is on Kahuku quarterback Tuli Wily-Matagi to hit enough passes to keep the chains moving.

The 6-4, 223-pound junior has been efficient in his first year at the position with 851 passing yards and 11 TDs with just four picks. He has also rushed for 294 yards and four touchdowns in Big Red’s option attack.

McKinley (5-4, 4-3 OIA Red) at No. 6 Campbell (6-2, 4-2) — The Sabers drew a bye last week while the Tigers battled their way to a win over Waipahu. McKinley’s game plan is basic: run the ball, eat the clock and keep their two-way iron men as fresh as possible. Mathias Tuitele-Iafeta has done plenty as a linebacker and running back, but as of last week, his deep ball wowed fans and cornerbacks alike. He hurled three touchdowns to Tyrell Tuiasosopo, and now defenses will have to pick their poison.

If they back off, the 5-11, 235-pound bulldozer will rumble for first downs on the ground or hand it to speedy Gerime Bradley, another of their two-way standouts.

Campbell, however, can dictate the pace with the versatile Isaac Hurd at quarterback. Hurd has been explosive on the ground (355 yards, five TDs) and through the air (1,656 yards, 17 TD, 7 INT).

He has mass weapons at his disposal: running back Austin May (494 yards, three TDs), receivers Kainoa Perry (37, 412, four), Jayce Bantolina (17, 325, four) and Keola Himan (16, 372, four).

Kapolei (6-3, 4-3 OIA Red) vs. No. 7 Farrington (6-2, 6-0), Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium — The Hurricanes, like the Governors, are content to win the battle in the trenches, using a combo of running backs (Triston Pebria and Mana Reis) and a quarterback who can use his legs effectively.

Pebria (744, 11) and Reis, who is also their leading receiver, run behind a massive offensive line. Quarterback Aizon Kahana (714 passing yards, 7 TDs, 5 INTs) has rushed for 332 yards and two scores.

Farrington had a week to rest after a big win over Kahuku. Sanele Lavatai, a converted linebacker, came on strong as the season went along and has 799 yards and 12 touchdowns. Quarterback Montana Liana, like Kahana, has not hit a high percentage of his targets (44 percent), but has been reliable with the ball (only four picks).

Defensively, Motu Heimuli and Breiden Fehoko anchor the line with Manly Williams at linebacker. Fehoko, a 6-3, 280-pound junior, has more than 20 scholarship offers, including the latest two from Louisville and Vanderbilt.

No. 9 Lahainaluna (8-0, 6-0 MIL) vs. Baldwin (5-3, 5-1), War Memorial Stadium — The Lunas have permitted 40 points all season. They won the first meeting with Baldwin 28-7. They are also one of three teams that are still unbeaten. Defensive end Hercules Mataafa (6-3, 235) is one of the top college prospects in the state.

Radford (7-2, 6-2 OIA White) at Kaiser (8-1, 8-0) — Cody Lui-Yuen has put up massive numbers: 2,539 yards, 32 TD passes and just seven picks, 10 yards per attempt and a QB rating of 176.33. But Kaiser got the better of him in late August, shackling him with three picks in a 48-7 Cougars’ win.

The Rams are coming off a stunning 7-6 loss to Pearl City. Kaiser rested with a forfeit win over Kalaheo, the Cougars’ second forfeit win in four weeks. Quarterback Lii Karratti’s best passing performance this fall was against Radford (271 yards, three TDs, no picks), but otherwise he’s been asked to hand the ball off most of the time.

The bulk of the offense has been carried by running back Thomas Leong (390 rushing yards, 11 TDs) and two-way stud Fitou Fisiiahi (484, 10).

Kalani (6-3, 6-2 OIA White) vs. Pearl City (6-3, 6-2), John Velasco Field — When they last met, the Chargers were still figuring things out and Kalani was already in midseason mode. Noah Brum passed for 180 yards and four touchdowns in a 40-8 rout.

Since then, Brum has continued his torrid passing tear: 2,618 yards, 36 TDs with just nine picks in 315 attempts. Kalani has won six of its past seven games and is in the varsity playoffs for the first time.

Pearl City’s Reno Abrero and Justin Dupio have been capable rushers (684 yards, 11 TD combined), and Timothy Rivera has become a go-to receiver (34,489, 4).

Honokaa (0-8, 0-6 BIIF) at Konawaena (7-2, 5-1) — Honokaa will forfeit its season finale.

SATURDAY’S GAMES

Leilehua (6-3, 4-3 OIA Red) at No. 2 Mililani (7-1, 6-0) –– It was Justin Jenks who seemed to be in line for the starting job this year. As a junior, he completed 63 percent of his attempts and threw 15 TD passes with just seven picks. He finished with 1,620 passing yards and a modest 122.85 QB rating.

This fall, the Mules handed the keys to newcomer Mack Eberhardt and junior Kalanimoku Pauole. The two have combined for 1,405 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. After a 44-14 loss at Mililani on Sept. 27, the Mules went back to the past.

In two starts by Jenks, the Mules have scored 120 points, a 66-14 win over Waipahu and a 54-17 playoff victory at Moanalua. Jenks has done what his history said he’d do. He’s thrown for a modest 284 yards on 16-for-23 passing in that span with five touchdowns and no picks.

In last week’s win over Moanalua, Randy Neverson emerged as a big-play running back with 175 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries. When the Mules and Trojans met three weeks ago, Neverson didn’t carry the ball once. Jenks never threw a pass.

More importantly, though, is the question of whether Leilehua can stop Mililani running back Vavae Malepeai. The sophomore ran for 116 yards and three touchdowns in their first matchup.

‘Iolani (5-4, 3-3 ILH) vs. St. Francis (1-7, 0-6), Aloha Stadium — The ILH’s D-II playoffs kick off with the top seed (‘Iolani) against the fourth seed (St. Francis). The Raiders have been ailing of late with three starters sidelined: running back Jordan Ross, cornerback Max Look and safety J.T. Los Banos.

Damien (3-5, 2-4 ILH) vs. Pac-Five (1-7, 1-5), Aloha Stadium — The Monarchs get new life in the ILH D-II playoffs. They beat Pac-Five 31-14 on Aug. 30.

Kamehameha-Hawaii (5-4, 4-3 BIIF) at Hawaii Prep (7-2, 5-2) — The BIIF’s D-II playoffs begin with this unpredictable matchup. Though HPA won at home against the Warriors 41-24 two weeks ago, Ka Makani have been good, but not great.

They had a chance to knock off eventual D-I first-place finisher Hilo at home, but lost 18-10. Then they had a comfortable lead against Konawaena before fumbling the game away and losing 22-21, again, at home. After some early-season turbulence, the Warriors have won four of six games, including a confidence-building 27-6 road win at Kealakehe. The winner will visit Konawaena next week.

Kapaa (4-3, 3-2 KIF) vs. Kauai (6-0, 4-0), Vidinha Stadium — The Red Raiders can clinch the KIF title with a win, but it won’t be easy. In their previous two meetings this fall, Kauai won by a combined score of 13-9.

Kamehameha-Maui (1-7, 1-6 MIL) vs. Maui (5-3, 3-3), War Memorial Stadium — Coach David Bui’s squad can clinch a winning record with a win. The Sabers won the first-round matchup 27-14.

Waiakea (3-7, 2-5 BIIF) at Kealakehe (3-5, 3-4) — Kealakehe is coming off a 37-23 loss to rival Konawaena. The Warriors have lost three in a row despite the continued effort of running back Devin Preston, one of the state’s top rushers.