With three weeks off, the ‘Iolani Raiders did what any six-time defending state champion would do.
They went back to work.
The Raiders have done it all season long, a year removed from an uber-talented, senior-heavy squad that kept the string uncut. With underclassmen in some key positions, they remained an offensive juggernaut in Division II. The setting is in place for the Raiders, who are seeded second in the D-II portion of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Football State Championships.
Even with the No. 2 seed, they drew — at least on paper — a bracket that appears more fitting for a No. 1 seed. While a couple of Top 10 teams, Lahainaluna and Kaiser, meet in the other semifinal on Saturday, ‘Iolani (7-4) will host Kauai.
"You know, we pretty much have to play our best game," Kauai coach Tommy Cox said on Tuesday. "Do a better job of moving the ball, getting first downs. Defensively, they’ve kept us in games. But offensively, we have to take the pressure off our defense."
The mystery of the Red Raiders, who are unbeaten at 9-0, hasn’t eluded ‘Iolani. Coach Wendell Look scouted the KIF champions, who not only bear a similar nickname, but wear the same red and black as his team.
"They’re kind of really similar to us in terms of scheme. They try to spread you out and establish what the defense gives you," Look said on Tuesday. "They have a lot of good athletes on both sides of the ball. The only thing that’s a little more different is their offensive line has good-sized kids. That’s kind of evident."
While ‘Iolani rested last weekend, Kauai withstood Pearl City’s might and pulled out a 13-7 win. Cox is not enamored with high-risk, low-reward ventures, even out of Kauai’s spread sets. He much prefers to let his young, gargantuan line control the game.
From left to right, Kauai lines up Jared Astrologio (5-10, 230), Nate Herbig (6-3, 310), Devan Ferreira (6-4, 320), Clint Matias (6-1, 280) and the only compact-sized blocker, Shawn Apilado (5-6, 185). Ramsey Lopez (5-7, 230) rotates at right tackle with Apilado.
Herbig is a sophomore. Ferreira and Lopez are seniors. The rest are juniors.
"Devan’s in charge up there. That kid has always been around. Even before high school, he was always at the field. He was always big," Cox said.
They plow the way for running backs Reggie McFadden and Kyren Rapacon.
"Reggie is more of a finesse guy. Kyren is more of a power guy, a hit-the-hole, get-a-few-yards kind of guy," Cox said.
McFadden is averaging nearly 100 rushing yards per game for a team that usually throws eight to 12 passes per game.
"Running the football, we’re able to control the tempo and the speed of the game," Cox added. "I think that’s important."
That may pose a big challenge to an ‘Iolani defense that has a reliable stopper and pass rusher in Marc Ma (6-2, 214), but lacks a lot of size overall.
Kamehameha’s Brandon Kahookele rushed for 244 yards against ‘Iolani. Saint Louis’ Adam Noga ran for 208 yards against the Raiders. Kauai may not have the potency of those ILH D-I powerhouses, but at 259 pounds per lineman, there will be quite a battle for ownership in the trenches.
For ‘Iolani, the recent time off allowed cornerbacks Max Look and J.T. Los Banos to heal up from injuries. Running back Jordan Ross, who was dazzling early in the season before succumbing to an ankle injury, is also back to near full strength.
With the return of Ross, ‘Iolani will be fortified in the backfield. Tamatane Aga (355 yards, three touchdowns) found his groove after stepping in. Ross has rushed for 729 yards (7.3 per carry) and 10 TDs despite missing two games.
The Raiders’ reliance on the run game has tapered just a bit this fall. One reason is pure semantics. With the fly sweep play, quarterback Austin Jim On has given the ball up by using a mini-lateral rather than a handoff. Statistically, that is a pass attempt. The misdirection that ‘Iolani has mastered in recent years is a focal point for defenses.
Overcompensate for plugging that A-gap blast and Jim On (1,648 yards, 19 TDs and just six interceptions) will find his targets. Four Raiders have at least 37 receptions, from Keoni-Kordell Makekau (62-953-10) to Chad Hanaoka (45-433-6) to Chase Kanekuni (40-495-2) to Tyler Teruya (37-320-5).
All four receivers have been dinged up this season. Makekau hasn’t missed a game, but was hampered with a shoulder injury in the ILH D-II final against Damien.
"Being able to get our guys healthy, that’s a big plus," Look said. "We let our kids re-energize. Academically, the quarter is ending, so just to get their academics off to a good start for the second quarter is important."
Without relying on sheer power and brute force offensively, the Raiders have crafted their way to titles. But Kauai matches up well, in theory, because of speed.
"They’re aggressive. They fly around to the ball. Their front, their ‘backers, we have to be ready with all kinds of blitzes that they might give us," said Look, who saw Kauai’s win over Pearl City. "How they were able to execute and still play at a high level despite the conditions. They hung in there and they were patient. They didn’t get excited. They stayed with their game."
