RADFORD OFFENSE (EDGE)

Radford has multiple threats, especially at running back, with Kodi Ongory-Mathias (176 yards rushing in last week’s state semifinal win over Konawaena) and Ace Faumui forming a solid 1-2 punch. According to head coach Fred Salanoa, senior quarterback Quintin Iriarte played a "nice game" against the Wildcats, shaking off a mild, late-season slump after a hot start. Thomas Reid, at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, is a big, hard-to-bring down target, and 5-foot-9 Blaise Manabe could have the middle name "Slash" since he is a dangerous all-purpose receiver/slotback/running back who has also taken some snaps at quarterback. Up front, the Rams have two three-year starters in 6-2, 260-pound senior center Tayvis Passos and junior right guard Talatonu Von Koppel. "The line has been the most consistent part of our offense, and if I’m not mistaken, I don’t think they’ve given up a sack," Salanoa said. "That is a testament to the coaches and the protection scheme and the blocking scheme they’ve developed that allows our offense to succeed." Radford averages 373.5 yards per game, and 253.1 of that is from its bruising rushing attack that will challenge Kapaa.

RADFORD DEFENSE

In a late-season 28-7 win over Nanakuli that wrapped up the OIA Division II title, Salanoa called his defensive unit the team’s "bread and butter." Recently, he added, "In my 14 years of coaching, I’ve approached each season with the thought of building the defense to the best our our ability first. Sure, I’d love to always be putting up 48 points on the board, but nobody remembers that if you don’t win and if the other team can’t score all you need is a field goal or a safety to win." The Rams have given up 8.1 points per game and average 110 yards allowed, with an eye-popping 15.3 via the rush. Ends Dillon Sunday and Deyshon Slade are constantly pressuring (and sacking) quarterbacks, Jordan Walker and David Faletoi power the highly charged group of linebackers, and Faumui, one of the state’s top two-way players, is cleaning up in the backfield when opponents get past the highly-respected Rams’ front seven. "We like to bring pressure with the front seven and the DBs do their job in coverage," said Salanoa, who added that sophomore tackle Aaron Faumui has been an unsung type of player who plugs up the middle with fellow tackle Ben Leafa, allowing others to finish tackles.

RADFORD SPECIAL TEAMS (EDGE)

Salanoa believes he’s got one of the best kick returners in the state in Manabe, who he called "electrifying." But, Salanoa added, "Nobody knows it because nobody wants to kick to him." If that doesn’t make the Warriors think, then maybe this will: Manabe is a nephew of former Hawaii Rainbow Warriors star returner/slotback Chad Owens. Kicker Roman Gennaro has been solid all season, the coach said, consistently making his PATs and placing the ball in the right spot on kickoffs. Salanoa also mentioned that his punt team has been solid all season and that the team as a whole places a lot of emphasis on special teams.

KAPAA OFFENSE

The Warriors were fortunate that injuries to two starters — quarterback Kurt Napoleon (wrist) and running back Kekoa Kaluahine-Cacal (stinger) — during the semifinal win over Lahainaluna were not more serious. Both will play in the final against Radford. Kapaa has a legitimate Division I college prospect in junior Morris Unutoa at left tackle, and he causes some serious problems when he pulls to the center or even the right of the line. Kalena Harder, a sophomore, stepped in for Kaluahine-Cacal and scored on three sweeps to the left vs. the Lunas. Right tackle Llewellyn Woodward is another anchor of the line. Slotbacks Justin Deforge and Leighton Moniz are weapons the Warriors use out of the backfield on handoffs and in the short passing game. Coach Phillip Rapozo also has lots of faith in backup QB Telii Fonua, who guided Kapaa against Lahainaluna. Napoleon, a junior, has thrown for close to 1,000 yards, with 15 touchdowns and only two interceptions. The Warriors have averaged 31.6 points per game and are evenly balanced in average rushing yardage (108.7) and passing yardage (110.7), but the defense has been Kapaa’s calling card all season long, with the offense asked to limit mistakes.

KAPAA DEFENSE (EDGE)

For Rapozo, whose defensive coordinator is former University of Hawaii star Mike Tresler, the mantra for this unit is "attitude, work ethic and discipline." It has worked and it’s now a well-known fact that Kapaa has not allowed an opponent to score an offensive touchdown in nine games this season. Rapozo says the line is deep, with eight guys who "can get the job done." Akauola Tatofi and Trestin Alfiler are rush-minded defensive bookends, and two 260-pound tackles, Sosaia Liki Koli and Kapena Texeira, plug up the middle. Mana Kupihea and D-I prospect Mosese Fifita anchor the assignment-minded and active linebacker corps. The defensive backfield will be tested against Radford more than any other team this year, according to Rapozo, who said, "When teams did throw against us, we came up with a lot of pick-6s." Bryce Dato and Dave Joel are the senior leaders back there. Daniel Asotasi, a linebacker/safety, is also an important piece on defense for the Kauai Interscholastic Federation champions, who did not allow a point in six league contests. The unit has averaged 90.8 yards allowed per game, and only 35.7 via the run. Tatofi had three sacks last week against Lahainaluna.

KAPAA SPECIAL TEAMS

Kapaa practices its special teams "religiously," Rapozo said. The Warriors had several long punt returns, as well as a blocked punt by Asotasi against the Lunas. But there were some struggles against the Lunas, too. Kapaa missed on four conversions (two kicks and two rushes) and turned the ball over once each on the punt return and punt teams. "We usually don’t have those problems and they have all been addressed," the coach said. Radford coach Fred Salanoa is wary of the Warriors’ attacking band of punt blockers: "I think they’re in double-digits on punt blocks this season." Rapozo said there isn’t one specialist in that area; instead, it’s "whoever gets there first."