Defenses crowding Punahou’s deep threat

Kanawai Noa’s first eight games as a varsity player were spectacular, to say the least. He caught a touchdown pass in each of those eight games, racking up 57 receptions for 1,223 yards.

TD count: 14.

Then came an ankle injury, causing the 6-foot sophomore to miss two games. Then came the state title game against Kahuku: six grabs, 82 yards, no touchdowns.

Fast-forward to this season. Against Mililani in the season opener on Thursday, he had seven catches for 87 yards, no touchdowns. In fact, he got a target deep downfield just once all game.

Mililani, like Kahuku, made it a point to maximize coverage on Noa, who was unearthly last year on deep routes. But with quarterback Larry Tuileta under siege for much of the night, there wasn’t much time to let the big pass plays unfold. Punahou adapted — routes got shorter for Noa, who was still effective and crucial in moving the chains. So were Luke Morris (five catches, 85 yards) and Trent Sitar (five, 51).

The Buffanblu came away with a hard-earned 24-14 victory.

Saturday morning showdowns

Kamehameha girls volleyball is a powerhouse any night of the week.

The Warriors will also be a hammering force on Saturday mornings, apparently. Three of their ILH matches will be played on Saturdays at 10 a.m., an unusual scheduling to say the least.

The bearded Spartan

The Seabury Hall Spartans, with just eight players in uniform, finished a solid fifth in the Silver bracket of the Ann Kang Invitational volleyball tournament over the weekend.

The other half of the team stayed back on their home island, Maui, for another tournament. The Spartans girls have some height in Kiki Leuteneker (6-foot-1) and Amy Ozee (6-1), but their commitment to year-round play has forged success.

Coach Scott Zucco is in his ninth year at the helm, but he has done one thing differently this fall. The beard is unshaven and will remain that way. Zucco’s players often head to the shoreline to play beach volleyball. That’s often an inconvenience for the upcountry Maui program.

So Zucco is firmly dedicated to bringing a beach volleyball court upcountry. Until he gets his wish, the beard grows, he says.

See photos of Coach Zucco and the Spartans at hawaiiprepworld.com.

HONOR ROLL

Rushing

» Brandon Kahookele, Kamehameha: 22 carries for 200 yards in a win over Farrington.

» Bobby Lum, Hawaii Prep: Ran for 167 yards and a touchdown in a win over Waimea.

» Jemery Willes, Waianae: Ran for 159 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Moanalua.

» Vavae Malepeai,Mililani: Ran for 139 yards and two TDs in a loss to Punahou

» Ikaika Piceno, Leilehua: Rushed for 125 yards and two touchdowns in a win over ‘Iolani.

» Matthew Leilua, Waipahu: 25 carries for 124 yards and a touchdown in a win over Kaimuki.

» Fika Tuli, Aiea: 16 carries for 105 yards and a score in a win over Pac-Five. Also added a receiving touchdown.

» Thomas Leong, Kaiser: Rushed for 89 yards and two touchdowns and had punt and kickoff return TDs in a win over Kalani.

Passing

» Larry Tuileta, Punahou: Threw for 255 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Mililani.

» Isaac Hurd, Campbell: Threw for 225 yards and two TDs in a win over Kailua.

» Noah Brum, Kalani: Threw for 194 yards and two TDs in a loss to Kaiser.

» Mana Kaahanui, Aiea: Rushed for 102 yards on 10 carries, and threw for another 157 yards in a win over Pac-Five.

Receiving

» Pookela Noa-Nakamoto, Waianae: Four catches for 108 yards and a touchdown in a win over Moanalua.

» Shaenan Hernandez-Fonoti, Aiea: Three catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Pac-Five.

» Devan Stubblefield, Saint Louis: Caught six passes for 117 yards and a touchdown in a win over Kahuku.

Defense

» Max Look,‘Iolani: Two interceptions in a loss to Leilehua.

» Deshaun Osborne,Leilehua: Returned an interception 64 yards for a TD in a win over ‘Iolani.

» Kelii Padello,Mililani: Four sacks in a loss to Punahou.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

RYDER KUHNS
Saint Louis quarterback

The Crusaders junior threw for 370 yards and four touchdowns in taking down No. 1 Kahuku on Saturday. Kuhns completed 28 of 41 passes, including his last seven in the fourth quarter when Saint Louis blew open a tight game by outscoring the Red Raiders 22-0.

TOP 10 POLLS 

Voted on by coaches and media from around the state. First-place votes in parentheses. Ten points for first-place votes, nine for second, eight for third, etc.

Also receiving votes: Aiea 15, Kapolei 12, Farrington 7, Hawaii Prep 3, Castle 1, Moanalua 1.

Also receiving votes: St. Francis 11, Castle 4, Hawaii Baptist 3, Waiakea 2, Kalani 1, Maui 1, Kamehameha-Maui 1.