HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Lehi Aumua of Kahuku broke off a run against Kailua last week, a win for the defending state champion Red Raiders.
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Kahuku hosts California squad
The top two teams in the state may be occupied with mainland foes this weekend, but the rest of the football world will be embroiled in internal conflict tomorrow night.
The usually entertaining crossover games between private and public schools come to a close this weekend. The closing won't be silent, though. While Kahuku hosts Narbonne (Calif.), Saint Louis visits Castle and Kamehameha hosts Farrington in a pair of intriguing matchups.
The Red West of the Oahu Interscholastic Association heats up with league openers between No. 5 Mililani and Waianae, and No. 7 Campbell and Aiea.
Here's a look at tomorrow's clashes:
NONCONFERENCE
» Narbonne at No. 2 Kahuku -- The Red Raiders (1-1) are aiming to win, of course, but they also need to get valuable playing time for key reserves, coach Reggie Torres said.
"We'll play everybody, get our (four) quarterbacks a chance to play," he said.
Notably, defensive tackle Kaniela Tuipulotu is still ailing with a sore ankle and Achilles' heel. "He'll be back on Monday," Torres said of the highly recruited, 290-pound senior.
As for Narbonne, there's not much for the Red Raiders to go on. The Gauchos play in the Marine League of the CIF with Banning, Carson, Gardena, San Pedro and Washington high schools.
"We exchanged video. They're up and coming the past few years in their league. They've been finishing in their top three," said Torres, the longtime junior varsity coach who took the varsity helm this season.
"After last week, we're getting pretty close to being 100 percent as a team. We're not there yet, though, with development," he said, referring to his quarterback situation. "It's a new staff, a new system."
» No. 6 Farrington at No. 4 Kamehameha -- Kunuiakea Stadium could have a full house for this ancient rivalry between Kalihi institutions. The Governors are lighting up scoreboards, thanks to an experienced offensive line, gifted receivers and the playmaking zeal of quarterback Elijah Liilii.
"Randall Okimoto and his staff have done a great job," Kamehameha coach Kanani Souza said. "They've got some kickers, man. That punter has good hang time. They have a really, really outstanding quarterback who can run and throw."
Farrington has dominated in its two nonconference wins thus far, but Kamehameha is the best of the slate so far.
George Ka'ai has blossomed this season, turning his raw, formidable arm into an effective, consistent weapon. Souza was a graduate assistant at Oregon State last year, so he didn't see Ka'ai's up-and-down junior season.
"When I saw him two years ago, he was a green-nosed sophomore kid. He's really conscientious and worked hard in the summer, went to a lot of camps," Souza said.
» No. 3 Saint Louis at Castle -- The young Knights responded with a regular-season-opening win over Kalaheo last week. The Crusaders, meanwhile, are balanced and avoiding turnovers. A committee of running backs means fresh legs at all times, putting pressure on defensive units.
Saint Louis curtailed Leilehua's passing attack last weekend in a 20-0 win, but Castle puts the ball in the air even more than the Mules. Conditioning will be a factor.
LEAGUE PLAY
» No. 9 Baldwin at Kamehameha-Maui -- Coming off a resounding 41-0 win over archrival Maui, the Bears can't afford to nap. The D-II Warriors pushed D-I title contender Lahainaluna to the brink before losing 33-26 last week.
KS-Maui quarterback Keahi Raikes has the Bears concerned.
"He really can scramble," Baldwin coach Jimmy Morimoto said.
Jordan Helle was solid in his debut, passing for 297 yards. It was his first varsity start, since the MIL did not schedule nonconference games this year. "Sitting behind Kale (Moniz) last year as a sophomore really helped him learn," Morimoto said. Four returning starters on the O-line, plus Chase Nakamura and Colton Quinabo at wideouts, give the Bears a dangerous run-and-shoot offense.
» Damien at Kailua -- Zachary Akamine's completion percentage is far from pretty, but the Surfriders count on his arm to help open up the offense. Damien may not have lineman Sione Tau back yet. He sat out of last week's loss at Campbell.
» Anuenue at Waialua -- The Bulldogs were shut out by Waipahu last week, while Anuenue's 21-man roster gave Kaimuki a good battle. Another loss by either team would put a serious dent in playoff chances.
» Waipahu at Roosevelt -- Both teams secured shutout wins last week. This is a matchup of an aerial attack (Roosevelt) and a option attack (Waipahu).
» Lahainaluna vs. Pac-Three -- The Lunas aren't a large school, but the program has been successful under the experienced eyes of Bobby Watson. The Titans are barely able to field a team this season, having nearly shut down in mid-August.
» Hawaii Prep vs. Waiakea -- Waiakea hopes to erase the memory of a 38-0 loss at Waimea two weeks ago. Hawaii Prep hasn't played since a 27-9 home loss to Kapaa two weeks ago.
» Ka'u at Kealakehe -- The most powerful team in the league faces one of the smallest rosters in this battle between D-I and D-II schools. Gabe Tuata and Mark Loando give the Waveriders a boost under first-year coach Cliff Walters.