No. 1 Saint Louis vs. No. 7 Kapolei
Today, 7:30 p.m.
At Kapolei
No team in the Open Division has waited this long to play, but the Saint Louis Crusaders have been grateful for the extra preparation time. Saint Louis’ graduation losses from a class that won three consecutive ILH and state titles are significant. Challenges are what coach Cal Lee enjoys.
“Our underclassmen are competing. They think they should play, and I don’t care if they’re sophomores or freshmen, if they deserve it, they should play,” Lee said.
From a stellar defense stacked with D-I college talent to an offense that is reloading at several positions, Saint Louis still has the leading returnees at linebacker (Jordan Botelho, Nick Herbig), safety (Kamo‘i Latu), quarterback (Jayden de Laura) and wide receiver (Roman Wilson, Matt Sykes).
Kapolei QB Noa Bailey is building off last year’s experience and already has seven TD passes and 536 passing yards in road wins over Castle and Waianae. WR De’Zhaun Stribling (San Diego State offer) already has 23 receptions for 266 yards and four TDs. This is Coach Darren Hernandez’ 18th season at the helm with the Hurricanes. Kapolei (2-0, 1-0) gave Saint Louis its toughest battle in 2018, losing 30-22.
No. 5 Campbell vs. Farrington
Today, 7:30 p.m.
At Skippa Diaz Stadium
The good news for Campbell (0-1, 0-1) is that last week’s Open Division loss to Mililani came early in the season. The bad news is that they allowed an opposing rusher, Malosi Sam, to gain 259 yards on 43 carries.
That’s one way to keep Campbell’s potent offense off the field. Sophomore QB Blaine Hipa had a tough go, 8-for-20, 165 yards, two TDs, three picks.
Farrington (0-2, 0-0) was willing to air the ball out in a loss to Punahou. First-year starter Darius Chaffin had 36 pass attempts and 13 carries, mostly scrambling from pass rushers. The Sabers and Governors will be tempted to establish the ground game. Campbell had just 38 offensive plays last week and still nearly beat Mililani. WR Titus Mokiao-Atimalala (five catches, 179 yards, two TDs) and RB Jonan Aina-Chaves (81 yards, 11 carries, TD) were efficient when they got touches.
Campbell has won the last three meetings. Farrington last won in 2016.
Damien vs. Radford
Today, 7:30 p.m.
At John Velasco Stadium
The Monarchs (1-0, 0-0) have strong momentum carrying over from a stunning 38-31 overtime win at Lahainaluna nearly two weeks ago. The return of QB Jake Holtz (295 yards, four TDs from scrimmage), plus the play of RB Amo Sulu (115 total yards, two TDs) and WR Makanalea Meyer (eight catches, 125 yards, TD) are superb signs for the Monarchs.
Radford’s OIA Division I opener at Aiea gave coach Fred Salanoa plenty to work on at practice this week. The longtime coach’s return was revealing. JT Tafisi fired 42 passes, completing 19 for 199 yards in the 34-19 loss. Radford ballcarriers, not including Tafisi, combined for 60 yards on 22 carries.
Salanoa has always preferred to establish the run, but if Tafisi can cut down on turnovers, that might be the blueprint for the Rams (0-1, 0-1) this season.
Damien won last season’s matchup, 28-6. Radford won at Velasco Stadium 27-18 in ’07.
No. 4 Kahuku vs. No. 3 Mililani
Friday, 7:30 p.m.
At John Kauinana Stadium
The Red Raiders’ 21-13 win over Kamehameha last week didn’t count in the OIA standings, but it meant plenty in other ways. Kahuku (1-0, 0-0) churned out 217 yards on the ground against a stout defense, and Tiger Adolpho showed command in the pocket.
Kahuku didn’t hesitate to start versatile Mana Fonoimoana-Vaomu, who ran the option a la Kawe Johnson in his limited stint at QB.
The defense was in star mode with eight sacks and five interceptions. Zion Ah You, a lead-blocking fullback, was stellar at the point of attack defensively as a nose tackle.
The Trojans (1-0, 1-0), without head coach Rod York and starting a first-timer at quarterback (Brendyn Agbayani), relied on transfer RB Malosi Sam (259 yards, three TDs) in a huge win at Campbell. Another Saint Louis transfer, LB Wynden Ho‘ohuli, picked off two passes
Kanoa Gibson (10 receptions, 140 yards) has stepped up as a key target.
Waipahu vs. No. 8 Leilehua
Friday, 7:30 p.m.
At Hugh Yoshida Stadium
The mighty Mules (2-0, 1-0) have delivered back-to-back shutouts to begin the season, but neither Farrington nor Kailua have a gamebreaker quite like Waipahu RB Alfred Failauga.
The senior rushed for 234 yards against Waianae and 342 more in last week’s win at Castle. Failauga already has seven TDs while averaging more than 10 yards per carry.
That remarkable production has taken the pressure off QB Cody Marques and the passing game for Waipahu (1-1, 1-0). The question is, with 55 carries (and two receptions) already, how much will the Marauders lean on Failauga?
The durable All-State first-teamer already has 4,495 rushing yards — 54 yards away from all-time rusher Vavae Malepeai of Mililani (4,459) — and 50 rushing TDs in his career, but that came on 715 carries.
Leilehua coach Mark Kurisu will have a game plan to contain Failauga and run an efficient, low-risk offense. QB Kalei Akagi has thrown the ball 60 times without a pick thus far.
