HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Kahuku, Aiea give players time to think
Leilehua hanging on to spot in poll
STORY SUMMARY »
Leilehua fans left Hugh Yoshida Field a bit blue on Saturday night after Punahou rallied for a 28-19 win.
Top 10
Kahuku dropped to No. 3 in the Star-Bulletin's high school football poll
1. Saint Louis
2. Punahou
3. Kahuku
4. Waianae
5. Kamehameha
6. Mililani
7. Baldwin
8. Kapolei
9. Leilehua
10. Kalaheo
|
However, by playing high-caliber teams early, the Mules know precisely where the bar of excellence stands. At least that's how coach Nolan Tokuda views it.
"It was basically small mistakes, and in a big game, small mistakes add up. They're correctable: contain the quarterback, on the flood route, cover the deepest route first. We bit on the hitch," he said.
The Mules slipped to No. 9 in today's Star-Bulletin Football Top 10 Poll.
"We're treating this as a teachable moment. Think of all the mistakes you made and what you can fix now before we get into the conference season. That's what's most important for us," Tokuda said.
Leilehua quarterback Kaipo Kea threw the ball well. Edieson Dumlao caught three touchdown passes against man coverage.
"Our kids know they can hang with these guys," Tokuda said.
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Kahuku fell hard in a 27-0 loss to Bingham during its trip to Utah over the weekend, but coach Reggie Torres stuck to his guns and insisted that his student-athletes practice the student side of their lives first and foremost.
That meant a ton, literally, of talent stayed back on the North Shore instead of flying to the continent to play the Utah state champions.
That sacrifice may pale, though, in comparison to Aiea's crisis with suspensions. Coach Wendell Say benched 18 players for their role in the game-ending fracas with Campbell last week. They all watched from the sideline as Saint Louis rolled to a lopsided win on Friday.
For Say, a longtime coach, the incident was a first of its kind in terms of extremes. Nobody was physically hurt, but disciplinary action was a must.
"Saint Louis is a good team. That's why they're No. 1," he said after the game, moments removed from the teams' handshaking ritual. "It was a good game for us to see where we stand."
Say, a counselor, has a kindly presence that wasn't reflected at all just one week earlier. He hopes the lesson has been learned for a group of players that he clearly loves.
"It's been a tough week, man. The forfeit might be a blessing in disguise. It gives our kids a chance to work on a lot of things," he said.
Leilehua loses and gains
Punahou climbed up the trail to No. 2 after rallying for a 28-19 win at Leilehua on Saturday. The Buffanblu's two-headed quarterback monster -- Kimo Makaula and Cayman Shutter -- combined for 247 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.
"One's a pure passer, the other is more athletic," said Leilehua coach Nolan Tokuda, noting that Punahou didn't have offensive coordinator Darryl Kan at the game. "They did an excellent job. Coach Kan wasn't there, so whoever was there called the right plays at the right time."
Shutter threw three of the scoring passes, while Makaula was efficient (12-for-16) and is starting to scramble more. At 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, the former linebacker is a dangerous threat. The Buffanblu haven't shown it yet, but Makaula could turn into a brute as an option quarterback out of their shotgun, two-back set.
"I think they'll do it in the weeks to come. Punahou's too smart not to use its strengths," Tokuda said.
Star-Bulletin Top 10 Football Poll
Team, record |
Last week |
This week |
Pts. |
Pvs.
|
1. Saint Louis, 3-0 (21) |
beat Aiea |
does not play |
210 |
1
|
2. Punahou, 2-0 |
beat Leilehua |
does not play |
180 |
3
|
3. Kahuku, 0-2 |
lost to Bingham |
vs. Kalaheo |
151 |
2
|
4. Waianae, 3-0 |
beat Iolani |
does not play |
149 |
5
|
5. Kamehameha, 1-0-1 |
tied Campbell |
does not play |
100 |
4
|
6. Mililani, 2-1 |
beat Pac-Five |
vs. Leilehua |
85 |
8
|
7. Baldwin, 1-1 |
lost to San Clemente |
does not play |
75 |
6
|
8. Kapolei, 2-0 |
did not play |
vs. Aiea |
58 |
10
|
9. Leilehua, 2-1 |
lost to Punahou |
vs. Mililani |
51 |
7
|
10. Kalaheo, 3-0 |
beat Moanalua |
vs. Kahuku |
37 |
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» Voted on by coaches and media from around the state
» First-place votes in parentheses
» 10 points for first-place vote, 9 for second, 8 for third, etc.
» Also received votes: Lahainaluna 21, Aiea 14, Iolani 7, Kealakehe 5, Farrington 1
» No longer in top 10 (rank): Aiea (No. 9)