DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Iolani's Raynold Stowers leads the ILH with 588 rushing yards. The Raiders play Kamehameha tomorrow.

Stowers’ power
to be tested

Unlike last season, the Iolani
runner is on the field for his
team's most important games

Highlights & schedule

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By Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.com

Last year, a shoulder injury confined Iolani running back Raynold Stowers to the sidelines as just another helpless spectator.

Now those same shoulders carry the Raiders' hopes for an Interscholastic League of Honolulu football title.

"I didn't even suit up. I just stood on the side and watched," Stowers said of his abbreviated sophomore season. "At least I have this year. This is my chance to prove what I can contribute to the team."

Stowers, the ILH's top rusher this fall, leads Iolani into the key stretch of its season as the Raiders face undefeated Kamehameha tomorrow night at Aloha Stadium and 16-time league champion St. Louis next week.

"This is one of the biggest steps in our season," Stowers said. "This is what determines who we are."

The Raiders are 5-1 overall and lead the ILH's Division II standings with a 3-0 mark in league play.

The Division II champion must finish with a record better than or equal to the Division I winner to force a championship game for the ILH title and the league's lone berth in the state tournament.

A win over Kamehameha (7-0, 3-0 ILH) tomorrow would put Iolani in position to challenge the Division I powers for the title.

"(The Raiders) know the way it's set up now we have to beat these guys in order to have a chance to contend," Iolani coach Wendell Look said.

Stowers, a junior, will again be a vital part of Look's game plan as the Raiders hope to control the clock and keep Kamehameha's explosive offense off the field.

Stowers' long strides have gained 588 yards in three ILH games. He averages just under 10 yards every time he touches the ball.

Stowers said he looks up to backs like Eddie George of the Tennessee Titans and Iolani graduate Joe Igber, now a standout at the University of California, and he incorporates elements of both players' running styles in his game.

At 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, Stowers' size and upright running technique resemble George, and his quick cuts give him Igber-like elusiveness.

"I wish I could take credit for it, but some of the things he does out there is just natural," Look said. "The way he sets guys up and the way he can split them is very instinctive. He has very good vision."

Stowers' ability to cut back and burst through seams in the defense has the Kamehameha coaches preaching a doctrine of "strength in numbers" in practice this week.

"You have to get as many guys to him as you can," Kamehameha coach Kanani Souza said. "You have to try to gang tackle him, because once he gets started he's pretty nifty."

Stowers was expected to be a big part of the Raiders' offense last year, but a shoulder injury in the preseason sidelined him for most of the season.

Stowers said watching from the bench motivated him to devote most of his summer to improving his speed and strength.

"I doubled up in the offseason," he said. "I knew I had to work hard because this is my chance."

The hours in the weight room appear to have paid off, as Stowers has been able to absorb the pounding of carrying the ball 20 times per game without slowing down.

"He's holding up well," Look said. "We were a little worried about his durability, but he came back in real good shape and it hasn't been a problem so far."

Iolani figures to be an underdog against a Kamehameha squad blessed with size up front and speed at the skill positions. But the Raiders' preseason win over Southern California power Edison High proved to them that they can play with anyone.

"It tells us that we can be up there, that it's possible for us to beat big teams," Stowers said. "Anything's possible."

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Highlights

This week's highlights around the state

Tomorrow

Campbell at Waianae: The Sabers (5-1) can win the OIA West Red championship outright with a win over the Seariders. A Waianae (4-2) win means the teams finish tied and the Seariders claim the conference's top seed entering the playoffs.

Pearl City at Kaiser, Castle at Roosevelt: Pearl City's and Roosevelt's fading playoff hopes hinge on winning their season finales, but both need help.

Pearl City needs Kaimuki to knock off Nanakuli and Kapolei to beat Kalani on Saturday just to force a three-way coin flip to determine the OIA White's second playoff berth.

Roosevelt must beat Castle to have a shot at the playoffs. Farrington is pulling for a Castle win, which would give the Governors the OIA East Red's final berth.

Saturday

Kailua at Kahuku: The Surfriders travel to the North Shore to try to clinch the OIA East Red championship.

Kailua is one of just two undefeated teams in the state. Kahuku is looking to defend its home field and snatch the conference's top seed away from the Surfriders.

The Kahuku defense held Castle to minus-19 rushing yards last week, but will tackle the conference's most prolific offense. Kailua averages more than 469 yards per game and is equally dangerous running or passing.

Ranson Kepa has thrown for 1,426 yards and 16 touchdowns. Nathan Leaver is coming off a 217-yard rushing performance against McKinley.

With just one game left in the regular season, Kahuku continues to search for its identity on offense. Manu Ngatikaura rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown against Castle last week and could bring the Red Raiders some stability in the backfield.

Nanakuli vs. Kaimuki, at Roosevelt: The OIA White Conference championship will be on the line when the Golden Hawks face the Bulldogs.

Both teams are 5-1, but Nanakuli still needs a win to assure itself of a playoff berth with Kapolei and Pearl City still in the hunt. The worst Kaimuki can do is second place.

Kealakehe at Hilo: The Vikings (6-0) barely held on to first place in the BIIF last week by thwarting a two-point conversion attempt in a 15-14 win over Hawaii Prep.

Hilo now must face another contender in second-place Kealakehe (5-1).

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Schedule

Junior varsity games start at 5 p.m., with varsity games to follow, unless noted.

TOMORROW

OIA EAST RED
McKinley vs. Kalaheo, at Kailua
Castle at Roosevelt

OIA WEST RED
Campbell at Waianae
Mililani at Waipahu
Aiea at Leilehua

OIA WHITE
Pearl City at Kaiser
Waialua at Moanalua

ILH
St. Louis vs. Damien, at Kamehameha, 7 p.m.
Pac-Five vs. Punahou, at Aloha Stadium, 4:45 p.m.
Iolani vs. Kamehameha, at Aloha Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

BIIF
Kohala at Waiakea
Honokaa at Konawaena

KIF
Kauai vs. Kapaa, at Vidinha Stadium, 5 p.m.

MIL
Maui vs. St. Anthony, at War Memorial Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY

OIA EAST RED
Kailua at Kahuku (Live on KUMU2 AM 1500)

OIA WHITE
Nanakuli vs. Kaimuki, at Roosevelt
Kapolei vs. Kalani, at Kaiser

BIIF
Hawaii Prep at Keaau
Kealakehe at Hilo

MIL
Lahainalua vs. King Kekaulike, at War Memorial Stadium, 7:30 p.m.