Kahuku lives
by its stubborn D

The Red Raiders' young offense
has sputtered this season

---

By Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.com

Football can be a lot like driving.

A car that won't start can be inconvenient. But a car that won't stop is a real problem.

Likewise, a football team that can't move the ball creates consternation for fans. But coaches know slowing down the opponent is more often the difference between victory and defeat.

Kahuku has exemplified that concept this season, as the Red Raiders remain a favorite for the Oahu Interscholastic Association championship despite sputtering on offense for most of the season.

"Like they say, defense wins championships," Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai said. "You can have the most explosive offense, but when a defense slows you down and cuts you off you really get nothing out of it."

The Red Raiders continue their quest for a fifth consecutive OIA title tomorrow against Farrington in the quarterfinals of the league playoffs at Aloha Stadium.

Kickoff for the first game of the doubleheader is set for 5:05 p.m. Campbell plays Castle in the second game scheduled for 7:35.

The playoffs continue Friday with Waianae facing McKinley at 5:05 p.m. and Kailua taking on Mililani at 7:35.

This week's winners advance to the semifinals on Nov. 8 and also earn berths into the state tournament.

Kahuku, the two-time defending state champion, has perennially fielded stubborn defensive units that were often overshadowed by the team's high-profile offensive stars.

But with the offense experiencing growing pains this year, the defense has been in the spotlight.

Not only has the Kahuku defense excelled at keeping teams out of the end zone, the Red Raiders have turned fumbles and interceptions into touchdowns six times.

"They know the offense has been struggling so when we do get turnovers they try to make things happen, more so than in the past," Kahuku defensive coordinator Byron Beatty said.

"They picked it up this year. They've started taking a lot of pride in trying to slow down teams that we've been facing."

Kahuku turned in one of its best defensive performances of the season two weeks ago in a 12-7 win over Kailua.

The Surfriders entered the game with gaudy offensive numbers and scored on their first drive of the game. But Kahuku settled down and shut out Kailua the rest of the way.

Senior defensive back Sam Spurrier stepped in for an injured George Perry and turned the momentum of the game with an 84-yard interception return for a score.

Earlier in the season, a 90-yard interception return by Kyle Juliano helped Kahuku slip past McKinley 14-13.

"We work on that a lot, where we get an interception and we try to get guys out and try to set up a return," Beatty said.

Farrington coach Randall Okimoto is all too familiar with Kahuku's penchant for thievery as turnovers helped turn a 7-0 Farrington lead into a 35-7 Red Raider victory in the teams' first meeting on Oct. 4.

"We have to protect the football," Okimoto said. "Last time we had too many turnovers.

"It's going to be a dogfight and the challenge is to keep playing for four quarters. Those are some talented guys on defense, so we just have to keep fighting for four quarters."

Defense also played a big part in Castle's 27-7 win over Kaimuki last week as a goal-line stand at the end of the first half helped the Knights advance.

But Castle coach Nelson Maeda said the Knights must play smarter against Campbell's running attack.

"To meet the challenge of facing Campbell we're going to have to clean up a lot of things and be responsible as a unit," Maeda said. "We need 11 guys doing the right thing."

Following is a look at this week's OIA playoff matchups.

Tomorrow

Kahuku (6-1) vs. Farrington (4-4), 5:05 p.m.
Last week: Farrington beat Leilehua 41-8. Kahuku (OIA East Red champion) had a bye.
Game keys: Farrington running back Matt Bell carried the ball a season-high 26 times for 176 yards against Leilehua, but will face a Kahuku defense that surrendered just 75.8 yards per game in OIA play. The Red Raiders limited Bell to 52 yards on 16 carries earlier this season.
The Governors need another efficient performance from quarterback Royce Machado, who completed 10 of 14 passes for 136 yards and three touchdowns last week.
The Kahuku offense is nothing fancy, but still averages 22 points per game.
Now you know: A total of 25 players have carried the ball for Kahuku and 14 different players scored touchdowns.
Campbell (5-2) vs. Castle (5-3), 7:35 p.m..
Last week: Castle beat Kaimuki 27-7. Campbell (OIA West Red runner-up) had a bye.
Game keys: Campbell backs Mapa Malupo and Shauncey-Blaine Saito led a Saber offense that posted an OIA-best 2,012 rushing yards in the regular season.
Castle linebacker Cory Daniel recorded 13 tackles, seven solo, and a sack against Kaimuki last week. Blaze Soares had 10 tackles, two for losses.
Now you know: Castle averages fewer than 3 yards per rushing attempt. Campbell gains close to 7 yards per rush.

Friday

Waianae (5-2) vs. McKinley (5-3), 5:05 p.m.
Last week: McKinley beat Waipahu 27-7. Waianae (OIA West Red champion) had a bye.
Game keys: The offensive advantage clearly goes to McKinley with quarterback Abel Werner and running back Michael Vasconcellos operating behind a massive offensive line.
Waianae was seventh in the OIA West Red in total offense but can control the clock with power back Sautia Lave picking up first downs. The Seariders also have the top-rated defense in the conference.
Now you know: Waianae has won 18 OIA championships. McKinley has none.
Kailua (6-1) vs. Mililani (5-3), 7:35 p.m.
Last week: Mililani beat Nanakuli 19-15. Kailua (OIA East Red runner-up) had a bye.
Game keys: The Kailua offense struggled against Kahuku's defense on a sloppy field, but still came within a yard of knocking off the Red Raiders. The Surfriders feature quarterback Ranson Kepa, the OIA's top passer this season, and a relentless running game.
The Trojans are on a high after beating Nanakuli in dramatic fashion last week as receiver Nate Adams snagged the winning touchdown pass with eight seconds left. Mililani running back Billy Barbour slithered through the Nanakuli defense to rush for 156 yards and two touchdowns.
Now you know: Kailua has not lost consecutive games in the OIA since dropping its first three regular-season games of the 2000 season.

OIA football playoffs All games at Aloha Stadium, except third-place game Oct. 24 Castle 27, Kaimuki 7 Farrington 41, Leilehua 8 Oct. 25 Mililani 19, Nanakuli 15 McKinley 27, Waipahu 7 Tomorrow Kahuku vs. Farrington, 5:05 p.m. Campbell vs. Castle, 7:35 p.m. Friday Waianae vs. McKinley, 5:05 p.m. Kailua vs. Mililani, 7:35 p.m. Nov. 8 Campbell/Castle winner vs. Kahuku/Farrington winner, 5:05 p.m. Kailua/Mililani winner vs. Waianae/McKinley winner, 7:35 p.m. Nov. 15 OIA Championship, 7:35 p.m. Nov. 16 Third-place game, at higher seed's school field.