OIA Blue supremacy up for grabs Thursday

Challen Faamatau gets the ink.

What he really could use is a mileage bonus, as in a bye week sometime in the postseason. Farrington’s prolific running back/kick returner/slotback/player No. 13 is first and foremost a Governor. Six weeks into the game schedule, the boys from Kalihi are undefeated, but still hungry.

There’s no rah-rah aside from their energetic cheer squad and eternally passionate Bleed Maroon nation. Between the lines, the brother- hood is a family business.

When the surge of Farrington’s offensive line plus 260-pound fullback Freedom Alualu’s lead blocks pushed Kailua’s defense back further than it ever had during an unbeaten run — five wins — it was basic Govs football. When a defender used an illegal chop block at the point of attack to bring Alualu down, his legs were OK. It was the fall and the full force of his weight coming down on his right hand as he braced himself that could have been a game changer.

Alualu left the game momentarily, but quickly returned as the middle knuckle on his hand began to swell. And swell. And swell. It turned into the kind of fracture that usually takes five to six weeks to heal.

He stayed in the game, Faamatu finished with career highs of 236 yards and 30 carries (plus three TDs). The Govs pulled out a 19-13 win to stay unbeaten going into Thursday’s showdown with defending state champ Mililani at Aloha Stadium.

Alualu was in pain, but hid it well. He was already aching from a sore right Achilles tendon. He’ll keep playing mind over matter — if you don’t mind, it don’t matter — for the rest of the season.

"It’s hard, but I’m a team player and I’ll do what it takes for my team to win, you know," the junior said. "Challen’s my friend. He had a big game. He played his heart out. We all did. We try to work hard every day, get better and better. I’ll keep practicing with this (injury). It’s all good."

Coach Randall Okimoto and his sixth-ranked Governors (5-0, 4-0 OIA Blue) know this: Mililani’s aura of invincibility took a hit when the Trojans lost to Liberty (Nev.) 76-53 during a road trip two weeks ago. It was Liberty’s sledgehammer approach that the Trojans could not stop. They have one player back who missed the trip to Nevada: linebacker Jalen Olomua.

They’ll need to be at full availability against the Govs. Faamatau now has 661 yards and six TDs on 85 carries (7.8 per rush), plus 19 receptions for 411 yards and six more TDs. Kingston Moses-Sanchez (24 catches, 362 yards, five TDs) had become a focal point for defensive backs, and first-year starting quarterback Bishop Rapoza (58-for-94, 801 yards, 10 TDs, one interception) has been selective and efficient in his distribution to tight ends.

Offense is the best defensive weapon the Governors may have. Defensively, they’ve permitted chunks of real estate against passing attacks like Moanalua and Kailua. Though defensive end Sila Asalemo provided clutch pass rushing in the final minutes of the win over Kailua, tonight’s battle in the trenches will be unmatched.

THURSDAY’S GAMES

Hawaii Prep (1-3, 0-3 BIIF) vs. Waiakea (0-6, 0-4), Wong Stadium — In the two decades since Tim Lino guided Waiakea into a championship dynasty before retiring to become an administrator, the Warriors have seen struggle. This year’s squad has improved offensively each week, though, and Makoa Andres is making plays with his arm and legs.

FRIDAY’S GAMES

No. 1 Saint Louis (3-0, 1-0 ILH Division I) vs. ‘Iolani (2-2, 0-1), Aloha Stadium — Tua Tagovailoa (51-for-77, 744 yards, 10 TDs, one INT) has always seemed part quarterback, part Superman. Last week’s knee injury proved, finally, that the junior is human. He has a history of picking the Raiders’ defense apart with surgical efficiency, but offensive coordinator Ron Lee may lean more on his ground attack — even with RB Jon Manalo out for the season (injury).

After a three-week stretch without a game coming into the ILH regular season, there is nary a bye week for the Crusaders. Keeping their golden-armed passer healthy is a prime concern.

No. 2 Punahou (4-0, 1-0 ILH D-I) vs. No. 5 Kamehameha (3-1, 0-1), Aloha Stadium — It was a brutal week for ILH quarterbacks. The Warriors lost sophomore sensation Thomas "Boogie" Yam to a season-ending collarbone injury. Punahou’s Ephraim Tuliloa also got dinged up.

The Buffanblu have a very capable backup in Nicholas Kapule, who steered his team to victory over ‘Iolani last week. The Warriors have versatile Fatu Sua-Godinet back in the pocket now that Yam is sidelined.

The question for two potent offenses in this showdown is basic: Can Kamehameha keep its offensive momentum going while losing Sua-Godinet’s skill and explosiveness as a slot receiver? Coach Doug Cosbie has said from the start of preseason that his best athletes will return kicks regardless of scrimmage-line position, which means WR Kumoku Noa and Sua-Godinet can still measure up as one of the best return combos in the state.

No. 7 Kailua (5-1, 4-1 OIA Blue) at Moanalua (2-3, 1-3) — Noah Auld (100-for-172, 1,239 yards, 16 TDs, two INT) is having one of the greatest passing seasons in the long history of Surfriders football. Kailua is still a running team, however, that stays on the ground 55 percent of the time. When they went toe to toe with Farrington last week, they were more apt than the ground-and-pound Govs to run, run, pass.

It was in the latter part of the third quarter when Kailua opened up the offense on first and second down, and it was a different game from that point. Keeping Auld healthy — no other Surfrider has taken a snap at QB — is key. Coach Hau’oli Wong wants balance and he continues to trust his sturdy offensive line.

Against Moanalua’s explosive offense, the Surfriders might lean toward ball control regardless of Auld’s proficiency. Na Menehune QB Alakai Yuen has passed for 1,114 yards and 12 TDs despite a neck injury suffered two weeks ago. Michael Feliciano (588 rushing yards, nine TDs) has battled through injuries, as well.

Waipahu (1-4, 1-4 OIA Red) at No. 8 Waianae (4-1, 4-0) — The Seariders and first-year head coach Walter Young have found the formula, and it doesn’t involve relying on one star player. In OIA play, they’re averaging more than 54 points per game, yet no Searider has accumulated more than 304 rushing yards. Javen Towne (10 TDs) has a team-high 54 carries, but three teammates have at least 24 carries.

The Marauders’ torrid scoring pace was halted in a 38-0 loss to Leilehua last week. Andrew Simanu (32 receptions, 572 yards, four TDs) remains one of the most productive pass catchers in the state.

Castle (2-4, 2-3 OIA Red) at Kaiser (2-3, 2-2) — The Knights’ playoff chances weigh heavily on this road trip. WR Jeremy McGoldrick (31 receptions, 548 yards, 12 TDs) has a great connection with QB Willie Ewaliko (1,315 yards, 16 TDs).

Campbell (0-5, 0-4 OIA Blue) at Aiea (1-5, 1-4) — The best winless team in the state? Maybe in the nation. That’s what the Campbell Sabers are. Noah Esprecion (25 catches, 358 yards, three TDs) has been a dynamo.

Anuenue (0-6, 0-5 OIA D-II) at Nanakuli (4-1, 4-0) — Anuenue has forfeited its sixth straight game. With no bye week since  mid-August, a rest probably won’t do Nanakuli any harm.

Roosevelt (2-4, 1-4 OIA D-II) vs. Kalaheo (1-4, 1-3), Alex Kane Stadium — The Mustangs still have a shot to make the playoffs, even after last week’s heartbreaking 13-12 loss at Waialua. Jalen Richardson, Nathan Hernandez, Tristan Thulin-Marsh and Kamani Ah Yat all have at least 10 receptions.

Radford (5-0, 4-0 OIA D-II) at Pearl City (2-2, 2-2) — No other Division II program has attracted talent the way coach Fred Salanoa’s Rams have. With running backs Ace Faumui (formerly of Kalani) and Kodi Ongory-Mathias (Aiea) leading the way, Radford has demolished all D-II competition. In four games (not including a forfeit win over Anuenue), they have outscored foes 218-12.

Kaimuki (2-3, 2-2 OIA D-II) vs. Kalani (3-3, 3-2), Kaiser Stadium — A best-ever three-TD passing performance by Keanu Pratt sparked a huge 33-19 win over Pearl City last week. First-year head coach David Tautofi’s team may have turned the corner toward the playoffs.

Kauai (0-4, 0-2) vs. Kapaa (4-0, 2-0), Vidinha Stadium — The once cellar-dwelling Warriors are riding high on the Garden Island. They followed a 53-0 runaway win over Kauai with a 68-0 defeat of Waimea last week. Kauai, the former king of the KIF, has scored one touchdown in its last three games.

Keaau (0-4, 0-3 BIIF) at Kamehameha-Hawaii (4-2, 2-2 BIIF) — The Warriors were thoroughly beaten by Hilo last week, but Kaeo Batacan remains one of the BIIF’s top rushers.

Konawaena (5-0, 3-0 BIIF) at Kealakehe (4-2, 3-0) — First-year head coach Brad Uemoto has the Midas touch, but this district rivalry has a life of its own sometimes. The Wildcats have scored 145 points in their last three games, all against D-I opponents. The Waveriders have won three in a row since losing to ‘Iolani and Vincent Massey in preseason.

Baldwin (2-3, 2-1 MIL) at King Kekaulike (0-4, 0-3) — The Bears’ 3-0 loss to Maui means the Sabers are the front-runners in the league title chase.

SATURDAY’S GAMES

No. 4 Kahuku (5-0, 4-0 OIA Red) at Leilehua (2-3, 2-2) — Until an opponent can stop the Big Red ground-and-pound game, why would Kesi Ah-Hoy need to throw the ball? The RB-turned-QB has thrown the ball just 26 times, but is accurate (62 percent completion rate) and low-risk (no interceptions). Meanwhile, Sefa Ameperosa (444 yards, six TDs), Ah-Hoy (321 rushing yards, six TDs) and bulldozing Harmon Brown (122 yards, four TDs) give coach Vavae Tata the perfect complement to a stonewalling defense that has permitted just 16 points.

Damien (3-0, 0-0 ILH D-II) vs. St. Francis (2-3, 0-1), Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium — Monarchs QB Marcus Faufapa-Pedrina (707 yards, seven TDs from scrimmage) has carried much of the load, but RB Kepono Kawaakoa is averaging more than 10 yards per carry.

Maui (3-1, 3-0 MIL) at Kamehameha-Maui (2-2, 2-1) — First-year head coach Keith Shirota has his team intact and back to stonewall defense, permitting just six points per game in league play. The Warriors’ hot start in MIL play was doused by Baldwin in a 35-14 loss two weeks ago.

Honokaa (2-3, 2-1 BIIF) vs. Hilo (2-3, 2-1), Wong Stadium — Lopsided preseason losses to Waialua and St. Francis didn’t deter the Dragons, who are averaging more than 28 points per game since. The Vikings bounced back from a road loss to Konawaena by routing KS-Hawaii last week.

OIA RED STANDINGS AND STATISTICS

OIA BLUE STANDINGS AND STATISTICS

OIA DIVISION II STANDINGS AND STATISTICS

ILH DIVISION I STANDINGS AND STATISTICS

ILH DIVISION II STANDINGS AND STATISTICS