The Kapolei Hurricanes travel to meet the Farrington Governors at Roosevelt on Saturday in an OIA Blue Division opener for both teams, the first time in OIA history that schools are not aligned by geographical divisions.
At their cores, the No. 9 Hurricanes (0-1) and No. 6 Governors (1-0) are about dominion in the trenches. Kapolei lines up, arguably, the tallest and biggest offensive line in the state.
The ‘Canes average 6-foot-5 and 283 pounds per man: left tackle Viliamu Auwae (6-6, 275, Sr.), left guard Zandon Ganibe (6-2, 270, Sr.), center Toleafoa Auwae (6-6, 275, Sr.), right guard Aaron Kapihe (6-2, 285, Sr.) and right tackle Pesi Savea (6-8, 310).
Coach Darren Hernandez has normally built a run-first game plan around his quarterback, and with the arrival of assistant coach Darren Johnson — a longtime proponent of ground-and-pound football at Kahuku and Kailua — Kapolei is in wrecking-ball mode.
It wasn’t easy last week at Kahuku in so many ways: sophomore lineman Noah Mahelona’s father, John, collapsed at the field and died that night. But the ‘Canes remain as focused as possible and the base of their offense remains that sturdy offensive line. Though Kahuku’s defense was stingy, Kapolei was fastened to its running game with 36 rushes for 111 yards.
Farrington’s game with Waipahu last weekend was cut short, ending in the first half by Waipahu’s request following a number of injuries. The Governors ran just 22 offensive plays, 14 of which were on the ground.
The Govs have a lineup of quick-burst, big backs like Freedom Alualu and Bugsy Tui to go with speedy Ranan Mamiya and Challen Faamatu. What they also have is a third-year starter at quarterback in Montana Liana, who has looked more and more fluid in spread packages.
FRIDAY’S GAMES
Waipahu (0-1) at No. 4 Kahuku (1-0)
Waipahu’s numbers were down severely last week — to 24 players — after injuries against Farrington. The Marauders will see multiple offensive packages from the Red Raiders, but the most sensational weapon in Kahuku’s win over Kapolei last week was versatile running back Kesi Ah-Hoy.
Moanalua (1-0) at No. 7 Campbell (1-0)
Last week, it was No. 8 Waianae that fell to the slayers of giants. Now it’s the mighty Sabers who stand in Na Menehune’s way. First-year head coach Jason Cauley, their former offensive coordinator, continues to stick to a pass-heavy attack, but Moanalua also relied on a ground game led by Michael Feliciano in last week’s upset of Waianae.
McKinley (0-1) at No. 8 Leilehua (1-0)
The Mules are coming off a 50-7 win over Kailua, triggered by Kalanimoku Pauole’s 326 passing yards (plus two touchdowns).
Waianae (0-1) at Kaiser (1-0)
Though the notion of the Seariders coming from one end of the island to the other for a regular-season game seems bizarre, they might have a big task against the Cougars. Jensen McDaniel rushed for 162 yards and four touchdowns in a blowout win over Aiea last week. Now the Cougs have what they’ve wanted for the past few years: a spot in the Red Conference and a gauntlet of the league’s Division I perennial powers.
Radford (1-0) at Roosevelt (0-1)
After years of being overmatched physically in the OIA Red, Roosevelt is now in Division II. Not that it’s a whole lot easier. The Rough Riders fell at Pearl City, 34-6, last week, but showed a determination to have a balanced offense (29 rushes, 27 passes).
SATURDAY’S GAMES
Kailua (0-1) at No. 2 Mililani (1-0)
The Surfriders struggled to slow Leilehua’s passing attack last week. Now they’ll face Mililani’s McKenzie Milton, who passed for 369 yards (four touchdown tosses) and ran for 204 yards (three TDs) in a 63-47 victory over Saint Louis last week.
Kaimuki (0-0) vs. Anuenue (0-1) at Kaiser
This is Kaimuki’s first game of the season. Anuenue forfeited to Radford last week.
Kalani (1-0) vs. Kalaheo (0-1) at Kailua
Converted linebacker Tyler Ching passed for 250 yards and four touchdowns in last week’s win over Waialua. Three of those long plays were to Blaise Manabe, the lone returning receiver from last year’s prolific aerial attack.
Pearl City (1-0) at Waialua (0-1)
Quarterback Jordan Taamu attempted just four passes last week, but the once pass-happy Chargers were fine handing the ball to Joe Maneafaiga, who rushed for 83 yards and returned a punt for a touchdown in a win over Roosevelt.
Damien (0-0) vs. Kauai (0-1) at Vidinha Stadium
This is a rescheduled matchup that was originally slated for Week 1 before Hurricane Iselle ruined plans. The Red Raiders returned from the Big Island last week, where they lost to Konawaena 14-6. This is the first game of the season for coach Eddie Klaneski’s Monarchs.
Holy Trinity Academy (Canada) (0-0) vs. St. Francis (1-0) at Campbell
The Saints are young, with eight sophomores starting on defense and eight more on offense, but last week’s 33-14 win at Keaau was a major confidence booster. Leighton Rosa (116 yards, TD) was a key contributor. Coach Mike Ulufale says the visitors have "some big boys," but are generally a mystery.
The visiting Knights were 3-5 last year in Tier II (enrollment 750 to 1,249) of the Alberta Schools Athletic Association. Holy Trinity is from Okotoks, a town on banks of the Sheep River where the temperature on Thursday was 56 degrees with 79 percent humidity.
Saturday’s game will be played at Campbell High School in Ewa, where the temperature was 88 degrees with 57 percent humidity on Thursday afternoon.
