HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Kahuku shows again why its ranked No. 1
If any team knows the joy and pain of growing strong, it is Kapolei.
The Hurricanes had their most explosive offense in four years of existence, leading the Red West in total yardage. But in the Oahu Interscholastic Association, playing on the road can be brutal. Kapolei's run-and-shoot attack faced stiff defenses during the regular season at Mililani and Waianae.
On Saturday, the Hurricanes came across the best that the Red East had to offer. Kahuku's defense, arguably the best in the OIA, limited Kapolei to 164 total yards and just 7 points.
For all the lack of nonconference competition and absolutely no controlled scrimmages, Kahuku seems well-prepared at this point for the rest of the post season. The Red Raiders remained No. 1 in the Star-Bulletin Football Top 10 for a fourth week in a row -- the longest stint by any team this season.
Perhaps more astounding than Kahuku's defense is the work of its trenchmen.
"Their offensive line is awesome," Kapolei coach Darren Hernandez said. "They're in a class by themselves."
The work of that O-line made quarterback Kaulin Krebs' job far easier. With plenty of time to find receivers, he completed his first seven attempts.
In addition, running backs Malosi Te'o and Kamuela Alisa combined for 260 yards on just 19 carries.
Kahuku collected 19 of 21 first-place votes after the 47-7 win. Perhaps more interesting was the reaction of the near-capacity crowd at Carleton Weimer Field to updates on the Aiea-Castle playoff game.
When the game was announced as a 31-31 tie in the third quarter, thousands of red-clad Red Raider fans let out a spontaneous, almost musical gasp.
Castle, the only team to defeat Kahuku this season, eventually lost 52-31. That may mean an easier path to the OIA crown for Kahuku, or a larger problem in Aiea, the hottest team in the state new in the poll at No. 9.