They are unbeaten. They are OIA Division II champions. They are heading off island.
The Nanakuli Golden Hawks ran the table in a very competitive league, but the preset rotation for the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Football State Championships means they’ll fly this week for the first round. Waiting on the Big Island will be Kamehameha-Hawaii (7-2), which ousted defending league champ Konawaena 35-13 on Friday.
The Golden Hawks (10-0) are familiar with traveling. Two seasons ago, they went to Konawaena and stunned the 10th-ranked Wildcats25-23. This time, the game is at KS-Hawaii’s Keaau campus, where weather can be windy, rainy and conducive to offensive units that are, say, more earthy.
The Warriors are 5-0 at home this fall, and they’re playing their best football late in the season. Since losing at Hawaii Prep on Sept. 27, KS-Hawaii has won four in a row, scoring 46 points per game.
Facing a balanced Nanakuli attack, it may turn into a scoring circus, with both teams led by quarterbacks named Kanehailua. KS-Hawaii’s signal-caller, Micah Kanehailua, launched an average of 34 passes through five games. In the last four games, however, including two playoff wins, the senior has thrown just 18 per contest — winning each of those battles.
Kanehailua has passed for 1,726 yards and 22 touchdowns with eight interceptions. He has completed 50.6 percent of his attempts and has a yards-per-attempt average of 7.1, plus a QB rating of 133.57. He has thrown just one pick in his past four games.
"Micah’s job is to get the ball out in 2.1 seconds. We try to get it out quick," Warriors coach Dan Lyons said. "Micah’s done a great job of controlling. He’s got five options on every play. His numbers are dictated by what he’s seen when he’s making reads and doing the right thing."
For the most part, Kanehailua hasn’t had the freedom to take off, though he rushed for 38 yards and two TDs in a win over Honokaa two weeks ago.
"Initially, he didn’t have the option to run. We can screen, read option, but I told him I can’t get you hurt," Lyons said. "Then as the season has gone, he has more option to run. It’s kind of a neat thing because people haven’t seen him run."
The other Kanehailua has been as formidable. Kale Kanehailua has thrown for 15 TDs with only four picks, completing 53.8 percent of his attempts. He has averaged 7.5 yards per attempt and has a QBR of 138.11.
The two are as similar in statistics as they are in stature: Each stands 5 feet 10 and 160 pounds.
Kale has been the more proficient runner. The senior has picked up 341 yards (4.7 per carry) and eight TDs on the ground. Nanakuli’s offense has been diligent about staying on the ground. In comeback wins over Pearl City during the regular season and in the OIA D-II title game, the Golden Hawks overcame two-touchdown deficits by pounding the interior.
Running back Makaila Haina-Horswill may be the toughest KS-Hawaii will face this season, and at least the most prolific since they faced Hilo’s Tristin Spikes. Haina-Horswill has rushed for 1,229 yards (8.9 per carry) and 14 TDs. That includes a 189-yard, one-TD night against Radford and a 211-yard, three-TD effort against Kalani.
He was clutch in two comeback wins over Pearl City with a combined 211 yards and two TDs.
Coach Keala Watson has instilled a lot in his offensive line, even after a horrendous first half in the OIA D-II title game that was riddled with false-start penalties. Colorado commit Lyle Tuiloma (6-3, 284) anchors the O-line.
Tuiloma and the front five will get a big test from versatile Pono Davis (6-1, 265) and defensive end Ryan Sanborn (5-10, 170).
The Warriors’ improvement on run defense is due in part to sophomore linebacker Wayne Amps Nurial Decalio (6-0, 190).
"He’s the real deal. He’s a future Division I (college) player," Lyons predicted.
Nanakuli’s aerial game has been a vital weapon all season long. Keanu Momoa (6-2, 185) is stronger and faster than most cornerbacks at the D-II level. He hauled in a 40-yard Hail Mary TD at the end of the first half last week against Pearl City. Momoa (27 receptions, 303 yards, three TDs) will get a stiff challenge from KS-Hawaii corner Preston Kalai (6-1, 190).
Nanakuli wide receiver Clifford Cunningham (5-8, 150) could be a factor. The junior has 32 receptions for 563 yards and five TDs, and he has been reliable at place-kicker.
The Hawks’ trump card via air has been slotback Isain Wong (5-6, 130). The junior has been a persistent route runner, never letting up. Last week, Wong (27-393-4) had only a few targets, but still made a diving grab for a 27-yard TD in overtime that gave Nanakuli the lead.
KS-Hawaii can counter with Alapaki Iaea (6-1, 185), a two-way threat who starts at cornerback, and safety Caleb Baptiste (5-11, 175), who had a pick-6 in the win over Konawaena.
The Hawks also might be facing the best O-line they’ve seen to date.
Davis lines up at center on offense, and another standout, Russel Montibon, (6-3, 250) is at right tackle.
KS-Hawaii’s Micah Kanehailua has done more handing off lately in their read-option attack, while running back Kaeo Batacan’s workload has increased. Batacan (5-5, 140) has rushed for 327 yards (10.3 yards per carry) and four TDs in his last three games.
Wide receiver Bayley Manliguis (38-499-6) has been steady. He had a season-high 10 receptions for 90 yards and a TD in the loss to Hilo. Iaea, the cornerback, also has 18 catches for 272 yards and a team-high eight TD receptions.
It’s been fairly smooth sailing for Lyons and his Warriors, who are just a few miles up the road from Madame Pele’s latest lava flow. Keaau is in a safe zone — for now.
The Warriors have made strides even after making a drastic change at midseason.
"Halfway through the season, we had to start cutting out an hour of practice to have study hall," Lyons said. "It’s just made us more efficient, running practice at an hour and a half. I had a couple of college coaching friends who helped mentor me. If you can do it in college, you can do it here."
