GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
Kailua quarterback Ranson Kepa has thrown for 16 touchdowns and just four interceptions this season.
Road to East Rocky Balboa had to beat Apollo Creed to achieve his dream. Magic Johnson's Lakers knew their title run went through Larry Bird and the Celtics every year.
Red title runs
through Kahuku
Kailua faces the 2-time
defending state champs
for the conference crownBy Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.comAnd for Kailua to reach its goal of winning a conference championship the Surfriders must find a way to defeat Kahuku in their regular-season finale tomorrow night.
"We know what's at stake," Kailua coach Darren Johnson said. "They're excited to have a chance to play for a conference championship and we definitely want to get a piece of that."
The Surfriders have roared through the Oahu Interscholastic Association this fall, beating their opponents by more than 33 points per game.
But for Kailua to claim the OIA East Red Conference title, the road runs through the North Shore community tomorrow night, where the Surfriders will try to beat the Red Raiders on their field and in front of their devoted following.
"We're trying to keep (the players) focused on the football game, but anybody who walks into Kahuku's stadium knows it's a different kind of atmosphere," said Johnson, who played and coached at Kahuku.
Kickoff for tomorrow's game is set for 7:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on KUMU2 1500-AM.
The winner will claim the OIA East Red crown and the conference's top seed entering the playoffs.
The OIA West Red championship will be determined tonight when Campbell (5-1) travels to Waianae (4-2).
Last year Kahuku (5-1, 5-2 overall) and Kailua shared the OIA championship, but the Red Raiders defeated the Surfriders in their regular-season meeting en route to the OIA Red Conference crown and second state title.
A highlight of tomorrow's game will be the duel between Johnson's powerful offense and the Red Raider defense designed by coordinator Byron Beatty.
Kailua (6-0, 7-0 overall) averages 469 yards per game while surrendering just under 200.
Quarterback Ranson Kepa has thrown 16 touchdown passes to just four interceptions and has big-play receivers in David Kaihenui (581 yards, 7 touchdowns) and Brad Ching (480 yards, four touchdowns).
Bronson Kamaka has carried the bulk of the rushing load, but Kealii Kalahiki, Kekoa Sua and Nathan Leaver have also turned in big performances this season.
But they'll face a Kahuku defense that remains solid on the line and features a tenacious linebacker corps led by Sione Olevao and Ola Kubota. The Red Raider secondary is fast and experienced.
"Our defense is ready," Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai said. "At Kahuku for the last 15 years the defense has always made the difference, it's the defense that wins championships.
"Byron Beatty and his staff have been the difference for Kahuku football the last few years. They've been keeping us in the game each and every week."
Kahuku's defense has allowed a young offense to develop over the course of the season. Last year's balanced attack has given way to a ground-hugging scheme as the Red Raiders have rushed for 1,245 yards and passed for just 222.
Both the Surfriders and Red Raiders are massive on the line and the outcome may come down to which squad can exert its will up front.
"Both teams have a lot of real good athletes at the line of scrimmage," Johnson said. "So it should be a fun game to watch."
Campbell faces a similar obstacle in traveling to Waianae tonight to face the Seariders, the west side's traditional power.
The challenge for Waianae's defense will be to contain the OIA's top rushing attack. Campbell has picked up 1,906 yards on the ground this season, with Mapa Malupo and Shauncey-Blaine Saito combining for 1,232 yards and 14 touchdowns.
The Seariders must recover quickly from last week's loss to Mililani to not only win the conference title but also secure a bye in the first round of the OIA playoffs, which begin next week.
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