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JAMM AQUINO /JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Kahuku running back Elvis Vakapuna (42) gestures after a touchdown during the first half of an OIA football game between the Kahuku Red Raiders and the Aiea Na Alii on Friday at Kahuku High SchooL.
The first regular-season USA Today Super 25 rankings came out today with only one new addition.
Defending Hawaii state champion Kahuku is ranked No. 25 in the country after rolling to wins over Leilehua and Aiea to start the season. Kahuku, which has won 15 straight games and won a fan contest sponsored by USA Today finding American’s best football program, is ranked No. 5 in the West Region.
The Red Raiders face their biggest test in the OIA regular season on Friday, hosting No. 4 Waianae. Next month, during its bye week in Hawaii, Kahuku will travel to Las Vegas to face Bishop Gorman, which is ranked No. 3 overall (No. 1 West Region) by USA Today.
The Red Raiders remain unranked in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings and were not one of the five bubble teams listed.
MaxPrep’s computer rankings listed Kahuku at No. 76, dropping eight spots, while Saint Louis gained seven spots to No. 29.
USA Today also has computer rankings that listed Kahuku at No. 91 overall as the top team from Hawaii.
No. 3 Bishop Gorman opens the season on Saturday in Texas in a marquee showdown with No. 5 Cedar Hill.
Kahuku and Waianae are the real deal. They are tough on defense and have solid running and passing games.
Watched Waianae dismantle Kapolei where JJ is the offensive coordinator. Kapolei won their games this past weekend
against Leileihua but as many UH teams coached by JJ, they had difficulty scoring when in the red zone and they
were pass happy and did not seem to have much of a running game. Like past teams coached by JJ, no balance
in terms of offense and defense, passing versus running game.
Kahuku ” Pride Of The North Shore ” !
Awesome.
Looking foward to see what happens with Kahuku vs Bishop Gorman.