StarBulletin.com

Castle and Farrington collide in OIA Red East showdown


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POSTED: Saturday, September 05, 2009

This is no ordinary Saturday.

No, this is Super Saturday in prep football. With one league having Aloha Stadium all to itself—check out the old-school Interscholastic League of Honolulu tripleheader bill on tap—there are eight Top 10 teams in action today.

However, the most intriguing matchup might be at Roosevelt's Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium, where unbeaten Castle meets Farrington in a key OIA Red East matchup. Castle's Shaydon Kehano has stumped defensive coordinators left and right, scoring seven touchdowns already in just three games.

Here's a look at today's games:

No. 6 Castle vs. No. 5 Farrington, at Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium

The transition to new starting quarterback Jaymason Lee has been seamless for the Knights (3-0). Kehano has been a force despite extra attention from defensive units. The senior has 17 catches for 233 yards and seven touchdowns already. In 12 games since the start of last year, the All-State second-team pick has scored 18 touchdowns and averaged 20 yards per reception.

The Govs (2-0) limited Kehano to three receptions for 12 yards in last year's 24-6 win. Last week, however, Roosevelt receiver Agaese Tago caught scoring passes of 47 and 15 yards against Farrington.

No. 1 Saint Louis vs. Pac-Five, at Aloha Stadium

The Crusaders (3-0) are playing good defense, which was expected of a team with six returning starters. They're solid in the kicking game. Offensively, quarterback Jeremy Higgins has seen all kinds of defensive schemes and has a firm command of Saint Louis' run-and-shoot offense.

Pac-Five (3-0) is on the cusp of the Star-Bulletin Top 10, averaging 51.7 points per game. P.J. Minaya has been prolific, throwing for eight touchdowns against McKinley and seven against Kaimuki. The Wolf Pack have multiple weapons in Darin Kamealoha and London Amorin. The Crusaders won last year's matchup 52-7, sacking Minaya numerous times and limiting him to 90 passing yards.

No. 3 Kamehameha vs. No. 10 'Iolani, at Aloha Stadium

The Warriors (3-0) have allowed five points in three games, including last week's 13-0 shutout of Waianae. They shut down the Seariders' ground game, limiting Keoni Napierala-Rose to 0 rushing yards.

The Raiders' last-minute win over Kapolei last week was reminiscent of last year's cardiac kids, who edged Kaimuki and Saint Louis with clutch plays. Kamehameha won 9-0 in last year's matchup against 'Iolani (2-1).

No. 4 Mililani at Waipahu

The Trojans (3-0) have developed chemistry with new quarterback Trent McKinney, and a hustling defense sparked by middle linebacker Zach Quines has permitted only 30 points.

The Marauders (2-1) lost their OIA Red West opener to Campbell two weeks ago and blanked Word of Life last week 42-0.

Campbell at No. 7 Waianae

The Sabers (2-1) have seen nothing but run-first teams so far: Farrington, Waipahu and Damien. Waianae (1-2) has already played two run-and-shoot teams, beating one (Kapolei) and losing the other (Saint Louis).

Campbell quarterback Mike Ulufale, a first-year starter, has passed for 401 yards with three touchdowns and two picks in two games.

No. 9 Punahou vs. Damien, at Aloha Stadium

The Buffanblu (0-2) ran more than they passed in last year's battle, a 38-12 Punahou win. Of then-quarterback Cayman Shutter's eight targets that night, only Mountan Mitchell, St. John Kim and Alakai Aglipay are back.

Michael Suiter, the team's top returning receiver, is out since suffering a knee injury at practice a few weeks ago.

Damien (0-2) lost at Campbell 21-13 last week. The Monarchs are airing it out more. Quarterback Stanton Pilialoha was 13-for-28 and 160 yards.

Kapolei at Nanakuli

The Hurricanes (1-2) ran the ball 34 times and passed just 14 against 'Iolani last week. That might change against the Golden Hawks (0-1), who gave up 41 points in a nonconference loss to Pac-Five last week.

Moanalua vs. Anuenue, at Kaiser Stadium

Na Menehune (2-1) are on a roll, led by Tahje Canyon. The senior has rushed for 255 yards on 48 carries in his last two games. Na Koa (1-2) saw a fourth-quarter lead slip away in a loss to Waialua last week.

Lahainaluna vs. Maui at War Memorial Stadium

Normally, it's Lahainaluna winning games while Maui struggles. The Lunas (0-1) are coming off a loss to Kauai, and the Sabers (1-0) shut out Waimea last week. It was Maui's first victory since 2006.

Coronado (Calif.) at Kauai

The Red Raiders (2-0) average 41 points per game, including last week's 35-18 win at Lahainaluna. Peleku Yasay rumbled his way to 173 yards in 32 attempts.

Coronado was 9-3 last year, including 5-1 in the San Diego Section.