This is a heck of a way to start the regular season for the No. 4-ranked Kahuku Red Raiders and seventh-ranked Kapolei Hurricanes.
One is classic old school.
The other is new school.
One has a grizzled veteran, Darren Hernandez, at the helm. The other has a first-year head coach, Vavae Tata.
One has inklings of a slightly modernized attack, but is at its best in Sherman-tank, bulldozing mode. The other has adopted a sleek machine, airing out missiles and bombs. The OIA title contenders meet Friday at Kapolei’s field.
Kahuku knows very well the transition and discomfort some Kapolei players are enduring. A year ago, under then-coach Lee Leslie, the Red Raiders implemented a quick-passing scheme with multiple spread-style sets.
After injuries and the understandable struggle to learn a new offense on the fly, Kahuku reverted back to its bread-and-butter smashmouth attack and nearly reached the state final.
Kahuku’s 50-0 preseason win over Campbell said much about Big Red’s relatively low academic probation numbers, but the way Kahuku won — with power football between the tackles — showed exactly what Tata is all about when the lights are on and the bleachers are filled.
“We will run and pound it on offense regardless of what the score is. We’ve got a stable of backs who can carry the ball,” Tata said.
Returning starter Kesi Ah-Hoy leads a powerful, fast group of running backs. Sefa Ameperosa and Harmon Brown are a big part of the mix as well. Center Jed Heffernan (6-0, 262) is the “bell cow” Tata said, who leads the Red Raiders in the trenches offensively.
Kahuku leads the series 4-1, including 33-10 and 9-0 wins last fall. Kapolei’s lone win came in 2007, a 14-7 playoff upset win at Carleton Weimer Field.
Kapolei? The Hurricanes’ physical approach has netted a fair amount of success over the years, but hasn’t looked this effective since the years when its spread option was at its peak under then-offensive coordinator Michael Carter, the former Holiday-Bowl winning QB at UH.
The ’Canes, like the Red Raiders a year ago, are both feet in when it comes to a new offense with far more aerial activity than ever under the watchful eyes of Hernandez. The difference for Kapolei is that they’ve got two young QBs who have already been trained in the nuances of the four-wide (run-and-shoot) offense. Though Ezra Savea is just a sophomore and Taulia Tagovailoa is but a freshman, they’ve already gained reps and experience over the years through the Ewa Beach Sabers junior football program.
And unlike Kahuku, the arrival of Ewa Beach coach Galu Tagovailoa — father of Taulia and Saint Louis phenom Tua Tagovailoa — provided the Hurricanes with a full offseason to switch out the offensive engine.
The results have been remarkable. The ’Canes more than held their own in preseason scrimmages, including one with Saint Louis on a night when the two offenses often times looked like mirror images. Savea’s ability to throw with authority is no surprise, but it is difficult to game plan for his scrambling instincts.
Taulia Tagovailoa’s youthful presence belies his savvy execution with the ball. Learning from his father and brother — the family still coaches clinics on Sunday afternoons at Ewa Beach Community Park — he is less of a play breaker and more of an efficient delivery man, knowing precisely where the defense’s weak spots are and hitting open targets. Between the two young slingers, Kapolei may have never been so loaded at the position, nor so competitive in the battle for playing time.
FRIDAY’S GAMES
Leilehua (0-1) at Kailua (1-0) — Coach Joseph Wong has the Surfriders on a successful path back to their ground-and-pound tradition. Noah Auld passed for 189 yards and a career-high five TDs in a preseason win over Castle last week. Gabriel LeLeach and Kana Richardson combined for 162 rushing yards on 29 carries. The Mules, who fell to Punahou 49-7 last week, are finding their way offensively with a relatively young unit.
Kaiser (0-1) at Aiea (0-1) — The Cougars suited up two dozen players, rushed for more than 400 yards against a physical Kapolei defense, and still fell out of the Top 10 after a 49-28 loss. Nic Tom was devastating at QB with 332 total yards, including 200 yards and two TDs on the ground. Jensen McDaniel followed lineman Michael Eletise and the line for 167 yards and a TD on 33 carries. Na Alii lost a close one to Damien 14-13 last week. Zelius Maae-Liupaono and Kobe Kato are time sharing at QB.
Waianae (0-1) at Moanalua (1-0) — The Seariders are young and learning under first-year head coach Walter Young. They stayed close with Kamehameha last week before derailing on special teams in a 33-13 loss. Na Menehune routed Waiakea 62-7 last week behind 230 yards and three TDs on the ground by returnee Michael Feliciano. First-year starter Alakai Yuen threw only 10 passes, but completed seven for 128 yards and three TDs.
Pearl City (0-0) at Roosevelt (1-0) — This is the OIA Division II opener for both squads. The Chargers haven’t played an official game yet, but coach Robin Kami has one of the top programs in D-II. They lost to Nanakuli in the OIA D-II final, a 37-36 overtime thriller, before losing to Kapaa 30-22 in the state tourney. Roosevelt is about to turn the corner after years of struggle. Shastyn Kekahuna threw both of his TD passes to Shayne Teruya in last week’s 39-0 win over McKinley. Isaiah Rose rushed for 72 yards and two TDs on 17 attempts.
Kalani (0-1) at Waialua (1-0) — The Falcons were within 42 seconds of victory last week against Pac-Five and showed resilience despite the loss of several starters in the offseason. Sean Silas (159 rushing yards, TD) and Jaemi Harris (56, TD) were among the bright spots. The Bulldogs returned home from Honokaa with a 32-14 win. Mila Lele (192 rushing yards, three TDs) and Royce Tashiro (196 total yards, TD) sparked the offense.
SATURDAY’S GAMES
No. 1 Mililani (0-0) vs. McKinley (0-1), Roosevelt High School field — The Trojans have been busy with scrimmages against elite programs, including last week’s tilt with No. 2 Saint Louis. McKenzie Milton (19-for-22, 326 yards, five TDs) is the distributor of one of the most prolific offenses in island history. Containing RB Vavae Malepeai, an Oregon commit, and a receiver corps led by Kalakaua Timoteo is a major challenge for any defense.
Hilo (0-1) at No. 3 Punahou (1-0) — The Buffanblu have a large number of new starters, but are humming along offensively with QB Ephraim Tuliloa at the controls. RB Wayne Taulapapa would seem to be the focal point for opposing defenses, but Tuliloa and his fleet of pass catchers are in sync. Ethan Takeyama and Judd Cockett are getting the job done quite nicely.
Baldwin (0-0) at No. 5 Kamehameha (1-0) — The Bears will be tested in this matchup at Kunuiakea Stadium, where Kamehameha and Baldwin played to a 14-all preseason tie in 2004 when Kaluka Maiava was a standout LB (and eventual all-state defensive player of the year) for the visitors.
Sophomore Boogie Yam had a solid debut last week against Waianae, giving WR Kumoku Noa (TDs by reception, punt return and kick return) and the offense a chance to balance out. Fatu Sua-Godinet, one of the top receivers in the state, will not suit up due to injury. Coach Doug Cosbie confirmed that Sua-Godinet will be out two weeks because of a knee strain.
No. 6 Farrington (0-0) vs. Waipahu (0-0), Aloha Stadium — Last year’s matchup was called off after one half due to a multitude of injuries for the Marauders. Former JV head coach Bryson Carvalho makes his varsity debut with the Black Flag.
Kealakehe (1-0) at No. 8 ‘Iolani (1-0) — The Waveriders are coming off a resounding win over defending MIL champion Maui, while the Raiders and their new corps of starters walloped KS-Maui 48-14. Coach Wendell Look is using his QBs and RBs in committee fashion, and none of his receivers — even D-I college prospect Keoni-Kordell Makekau — had more than four receptions.
Castle (0-1) vs. No. 10 Campbell (0-1), Aloha Stadium — Returning starter Willie Ewaliko passed for 290 yards and four TDs in the loss to Kailua last week, including eight grabs for 181 yards and two TDs by Jeremy McGoldrick. The Sabers managed just 64 passing yards last week in the loss at Kahuku, but help should be on the way this week as academic probation is lifted.
Nanakuli (0-1) vs. Kalaheo (0-1), Kailua High School field —The Golden Hawks are defending OIA D-II champs, but light years from the senior-heavy squad that has since graduated. They’re coming off a 20-2 preseason loss to KIF defending champion Kapaa. Nainoa Banks passed for 199 yards, but was picked twice in defeat. Sunshine Anuenue and Banks combined for 58 rushing yards on 31 attempts.
Kaliu Lapera rushed for 51 yards in Kalaheo’s 21-6 loss to KS-Hawaii last week. Nathan Hernandez was active with seven catches for 61 yards.
Radford (0-0) vs. Anuenue (0-1), Kaiser High School field — Anuenue will forfeit because of lack of players. The Rams are, by D-II standards, fairly loaded thanks to an influx of talent up from the JV program, as well as incoming transfers like RB Ace Faumui and WR Blaise Manabe. If Faumui (912 yards, 11 TDs at Kalani last year) handles his academics, he could have a huge season.
Kauai (1-0) vs. Damien (1-0), Aiea High School field — The Monarchs’ Marcus Faufapa-Pedrina was a force in the win at Aiea last week with 89 passing yards and 96 rushing yards (one TD).
St. Francis (1-0) at Konawaena (0-0) — The Saints’ successful intermediate football program has infused the varsity with young talent up front. Supilani Mailei is among the key two-way linemen along with Lualala Fietonu and DE/TE Viliami Pua (foot). Linebacker Isaac Crichton is one of the stoppers defensively with Destin Pakele, Micah Kalei and Pono Luis-Mateo.
The Wildcats are welcoming the debut of first-year head coach Brad Uemoto, who was an all-BIIF wide receiver during the school’s heyday of the 1980s and early ’90s.
