HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Kahuku answered all critics and questions this season
Perhaps no other time in Hawaii high school football history have there been so many well-matched teams.
Evenly matched, no, because Kahuku and King Kekaulike proved in the past few weeks that they are truly the best in their divisions. Kahuku, which collected all 10 first-place votes in today's final Star-Bulletin Football Top 10 of the season, was remarkably poised in the clutch.
The way the Red Raiders maintained focus and delivered under pressure in the semifinals and finals of the state championships is unforgettable. Still, from Kahuku's place atop the mountain down to Kamehameha at No. 5, Punahou at No. 6 and even Leilehua at No. 7, there is no clearly dominant team. That's what made this season one of amazing parity.
King Kekaulike, of course, reigned in Division II and used defense to break open the battle with Kauai for the state crown. Na Alii surged into the Top 10 after their 33-20 victory and landed at No. 9.
Questions, naturally, come with the end of the season:
» How will Kahuku respond to the graduation of key seniors like Nai Fotu, Kaniela Tuipulotu, Gary Nagy, Lehi Aumua and Richard Torres?
» Saint Louis loses most of its standout defensive unit, but quarterback Micah Mamiya will return and could be even more productive in '07. Or will he?
» Baldwin will have its air attack in flight with quarterback Jordan Helle and wide receivers Chase Nakamura and Colten Quinabo, but how will they fill the gaps on their offensive line?
» Waianae's program, even on the JV level, is on a roll. As their senior linebacker corps graduates, how will the Seariders make up the difference?
» Who will be the next Kamehameha coach?
» How does Punahou fill the void left by departing quarterback Brett Kan and wide receiver Miah Ostrowski (82 receptions for 1,309 yards)? And how long will sensational sophomore linebacker Manti Te'o be out with that serious knee injury?
» What happens to the Leilehua Mules post-Bryant Moniz?
» Can Mililani surpass its recent success even after a plethora of seniors like Jordan Torres, Kenneth Peneku and Josh Andrews graduate?
» Should King Kekaulike, a team built around a ton of seniors, really make the move back to Division I?
» Can Kealakehe put together a nonconference schedule of high-level Division I opponents? Coach Cliff Walters is ready to fly his team to Oahu to play any Top 10 team next season.
There are more questions, but for now, the biggest one has been answered. Yes, the Kahuku Red Raiders reign triumphant once again after winning their fifth state title in the last seven years.