HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Kapolei leans on Santiago
The Hurricanes are a different team when the slotback is healthy
Oh, to be young, free and wild.
The young, in this case, would be the Kapolei Hurricanes. The 'Canes, with a young, rebuilding squad, have done well in wins over Aiea and Waianae. They've also taken a few lumps in a 28-point loss to Mililani and a 30-point shellacking by Radford.
So, who are the real Kapolei Hurricanes?
Much of it has to do with health. When senior speedster Aaron Santiago is well, he gives Kapolei a difficult matchup at slotback. In the win over Aiea, he caught five passes for 66 yards, including a touchdown, and came up with an interception to secure the win. Since suffering an ankle injury against Mililani, he has not played in a month, missing four games. Without him, the Hurricanes mustered just one touchdown against Radford.
Last week, with Santiago still out, his team upset Waianae 17-13. The Hurricanes are showing signs of emerging as a maturing team late in the season, and having Santiago back is a big plus.
"He got the cast taken off two weeks ago and just got cleared," coach Darren Hernandez said. "He's got a little bit of a gimp, but he's telling me he can play."
When Kapolei and Kailua square off tomorrow night at Mililani High School, one team's dreams of a state-tournament berth will end. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Kailua clinched a playoff berth two weeks ago with a 27-18 win over Moanalua. Keelan Gonda, pound-for-pound one of the toughest backs in the Red East, ran for 145 yards against Moanalua.
"We're going up against a law firm," Hernandez kidded about Kailua's Zachary Akamine, Darren Sugimoto and Keenan Gonda. "They have a big, strong offensive line."
Kapolei won last year's meeting with Kailua 33-7. That game was on the 'Canes' field, and Hernandez brought up another point about the seeding situation.
"Here we are, the higher seed, and we have to go to Mililani and play on a muddy field," he said. "Our field is always dry. But what can you do?"
Here's a look at the rest of tomorrow's games:
MIL
Lahainaluna (6-1, 2-0) vs. No. 8 Baldwin (6-0-1, 1-0-1) (homecoming), War Memorial Stadium -- Baldwin knows fierce rivalries, but over the decades, the Bears' nemesis was Maui. Today, it is Lahainaluna.
The Bears, coming off a 14-all tie with Kamehameha-Maui, have won the first round. Taking the second round would simplify everything for the pass-happy Bears. A month ago, Lahainaluna lost to Baldwin 6-5 on a late field goal by Dane Fernandez.
Coach Jimmy Morimoto has not needed any motivational extras for his team.
"The kids are disappointed and frustrated with the way we played (against Kamehameha-Maui). We need to be more consistent. We've been getting off to slow starts," said Morimoto, who has been on the staff for 14 years. This is his first year at the helm.
Lahainaluna, a rock-steady defensive team, has the same Wing T offense that coach Bobby Watson has embraced for many seasons. Quarterback Lake Casco is the point man of the fine-tuned offense, which relies on a "fly" receiver in motion directly behind Casco before the snap.
"Year to year, they might not have a big name, but they always play as a team. That's what is most impressive," Morimoto said.
BIIF
Keaau (5-3, 5-2) at Kohala (1-6, 1-6) -- Last week's 26-14 win over Honokaa was a key boost for the Cougars in the D-II race. Keaau has won four in a row since losing to Kamehameha-Hawaii.
No. 6 Kealakehe (9-0, 7-0) vs. Hilo (3-5, 3-4), Wong Stadium -- The Waveriders have a history of intense matchups with the Vikings, well, at least until last year. That's when Kealakehe blanked Hilo 49-0.
Kamehameha-Hawaii (6-2, 5-2) at Hawaii Prep (2-6, 2-5) -- The Warriors enjoyed their visit to the lush HPA campus last season, posting a 27-6 win. They've marched to a five-game win streak since losing to Kealakehe.