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Prep Beat
All across the state, something's going to give this weekend. Unbeatens go
head-to-head
throughout state
this weekendBy Dave Reardon
Star-BulletinAt the end of it, barring ties, five Hawaii high school football teams unbeaten in their leagues will be so no longer.
Although it's still early in the season, this week will go a long way toward determining who gets into the state tournament.
It begins Friday at Aloha Stadium when defending state champion and consensus No. 1 St. Louis plays Punahou for first place in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu. Both teams have rolled up impressive yardage and points, but neither has played against a very good defense yet.
Last Friday, the Crusaders, with 321 yards and four touchdown passes from backup quarterback Bobby George, whipped Iolani, 45-14. There is no word on the availability of starter Kelika Higa, who was held out due to an unspecified injury.
Meanwhile, the Buffanblu got 134 yards and two touchdowns rushing from Todd LaFountaine as it beat Damien, 33-0.
Whoever wins will probably end the weekend tied for first in the ILH with Kamehameha, which plays Damien.
The top of the standings will also thin out a bit in both Oahu Interscholastic Association divisions.
In the Red, Waianae and Mililani, both 2-0 in the league, meet Friday at the Trojans' field. Three of the state's top running backs will be in action -- the Seariders' Lono Manners and Peter Sarono and the Trojans' Brian Daniels.
Waianae knocked off Farrington, 37-13, on Friday. Mililani was idle.
Castle and McKinley, two OIA White teams that could compete with top Red teams, play Friday at McKinley. The Knights (2-0) come off a bye, while the Tigers scored a big win over Campbell, 35-14, on the road. Vaa Fonoti's hard running (162 yards, two touchdowns) wore down the Sabers in the second half.
Farrington (1-1) gets a tough opponent to bounce back against in Kahuku (3-0), Saturday at Aloha Stadium. Kahuku beat Kailua, 19-7, on Friday.
The Governors-Red Raiders game will get most of Oahu's attention on Saturday, especially since it is Oceanic Cable's first television game of the year.
But there are three other big games on different islands.
Who is no ka oi on Maui?
The answer to that question, at least for now, will be answered as Lahainaluna and Maui, both 3-0 in the Maui Interscholastic League, tangle at War Memorial Stadium.
Lahainaluna beat defending MIL champion Baldwin, 14-6, on Saturday, as Kanoa Casco rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown.
Maui will be favored, as it will have had eight full days to rest after trouncing Kaahumanu Hou, 58-0, last Thursday.
In the Big Island Interscholastic Federation, Hilo visits Kohala. Both teams are 2-0 in the league.
Hawaii Prep (2-0) hosts Konawaena (1-1) in another contest of BIIF contenders on Saturday.
Waimea of the Kauai Interscholastic Federation is idle this week after opening its KIF season with a 37-0 victory over Kapaa.
Nikko Naumu threw four TD passes for the Menehunes, two each to Dane Koga and Micah Bermoy.
Star-Bulletin Top 10
This is how the Star-Bulletin voted in this week's Hawaii Sports Network high school football poll. See Wednesday's Star-Bulletin for the Prep Report, which will include features, athletes of the week, standings and statistics.
1. St. Louis -- 4-0 Top 10
2. Waianae -- 3-0
3. Kahuku -- 3-1
4. Waimea -- 3-0
5. Kamehameha -- 3-0
6. McKinley -- 4-0
7. Mililani -- 2-1
8. Maui -- 4-0
9. Castle -- 3-0
10. Lahainaluna -- 4-0