Kapolei vs. No. 7 Waianae
Friday, 7:30 p.m.
at Waianae
It was a monumental week for Kapolei senior De’Zhaun Stribling, who received an offer from San Diego State, then went out and grabbed 10 passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns in a 40-24 win for the Hurricanes (1-0) over Castle.
Noa Bailey, a returnee, passed for 306 yards and three TDs in the win. That was his best output since Sept. 8, 2018, when he passed for 360 yards and three TDs against Waianae.
This will also be the Open Division debut for LB Bam Amina, who returned to Kapolei after a year at Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas.
Last week’s 35-20 victory over then-No. 7 Waipahu gave the Seariders (1-0) their first season-opening win since ’16. Mike Fanoga’s debut as Waianae head coach was eye-popping with a wide-open attack in the first half.
Sheldon McLeod passed for 171 of his 212 yards in the first half. With the game in balance, though, Waianae went back to ground-and-pound football to seal the win behind 150 rushing yards by Kolu Quisquirin-Sabagala. That, however, came against a Waipahu defense that had eight starters on the bench.
No. 2 Punahou vs. Farrington
Friday, 7:30 p.m.
at Farrington
Week 0 went smoothly for the powerful Buffanblu (1-0) with a 40-0 win over Kailua. The road trip resumes with a visit to Skippa Diaz Stadium, where they won 40-14 last year. They have a four-game win streak over the Governors dating back to ’04.
Hugh Brady scorched Kailua with 283 passing yards and five TDs without a pick. In all, the Buffanblu threw the ball 32 times out of 41 plays, and nine receivers caught at least one pass.
Farrington (0-1) enters the season with a core of players who have been with coach Daniel Sanchez since youth league. A key loss was promising QB RJ Tagataese, who moved to Las Vegas. Darius Chaffin passed for 148 yards and rushed for 34 in a 35-0 loss to Leilehua last weekend.
Waipahu vs. Castle
Friday, 7:30 p.m.
at Castle
The visiting Marauders (0-1) come into battle with a certain edge and hunger after losing a 35-20 nonconference game at Waianae last week. Whether the eight missing defensive starters make the grade this week is still a question, but it was on the offensive end and special teams where there is room for improvement.
RB Alfred Failauga was magnificent on a 234-yard, two-TD night. Waipahu simply missed opportunities in the red zone, and muffed two punt returns.
The Knights (0-1) are coming off a nonconference loss to Kapolei. Coach John Hao’s third season with Castle is a potential breakout season in D-I. QB Kila Kaio passed for three TDs with no picks against Kapolei.
The schedule is front-loaded, with three home games in a row for the Knights. Waipahu won last year’s matchup, 35-7.
No. 6 Kamehameha vs. No. 5 Kahuku
6:30 p.m. Saturday
at Kahuku
The Warriors installed some new packages after last season, then standout athlete Christmas Togiai opted to focus on basketball. The Warriors have power up front, but Kahuku is well suited to counter anything in the trenches.
Quarterback Kiai Keone saw part-time action last season and passed for 182 yards in a 24-7 loss to Kahuku. Big Red did not have a 100-yard rusher nor a 100-yard passer in that win.
Kamehameha has not beaten Kahuku since ’09.
The Red Raiders have a healthy Kaonohi Kaniho on defense, and maybe, on offense, too. LB/S Ace Kaufusi and Kana Fonoimoana-Vaomu will lead the defensive unit.
No. 8 ‘Iolani vs. Moanalua
6:30 p.m. Saturday
at Moanalua
‘Iolani began Season 29 under coach Wendell Look with a 47-10 win over Kamehameha-Hawaii last week. The Raiders (1-0) will abstain, as QB Jonah Chong said, from being “greedy” on offense. Example: Carter Kamana had just one catch against KS-Hawaii, but it was an 84-yard TD, and five of his teammates contributed with receptions.
‘Iolani’s defense, sparked by LB/S Lanakila Pei and S Micah Camat, will face a Moanalua offense that passed the ball 346 times and had just 107 rushing attempts in nine games last year. However, QB Nick Au graduated and coach Savaii Eselu had already hinted that the offense might get an overhaul in philosophy.
