HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Kamehameha up to second
The first time Kamehameha knocked down Punahou, the Buffanblu were ranked No. 1 in the Star-Bulletin Football Top 10.
In defeat, Punahou's primary offensive weapon, Miah Ostrowski, caught 11 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown.
In their second matchup on Saturday, the Warrior defense took their game plan to the next level. The result? Ostrowski was hounded and harassed all night, finishing with just three catches for 26 yards.
Often, linebacker Mana Lolotai offered the junior receiver his version of greetings at the snap. Then Ostrowski had to get past Parker Paredes before a cornerback or safety picked up coverage.
On top of that, Punahou quarterback Brett Kan faced a series of blitzes by Kamehameha linebackers, as well as the windiest conditions in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu all season. It all factored in as Kamehameha took command of the ILH race with a 20-7 win.
Kamehameha moved up a notch to No. 2 in today's Top 10, collecting one of the 22 first-place votes. Kahuku, which had another bye, remained locked at No. 1 with 17 first-place votes.
For Ostrowski, a cerebral athlete who will be the state's top returning basketball player this winter, it came down to more than individual production.
"We just never got good field position," he said.
Punahou had eight possessions before halftime and punted seven times.
Kamehameha's success on the ground was moderate at barely 3 yards per carry, but the Warriors kept the chains moving.
With minus-3 yards rushing on 14 attempts, Punahou just couldn't get out of those back-to-the-goal-line blues.