Kamehameha is
Punahou’s next obstacle
Punahou successfully met a large football challenge last week. Now the Buffanblu have another tough task ahead.
Schedule
All games 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted
Tomorrow
OIA Red
Castle vs. Kailua, at Aloha Stadium
Pearl City at Nanakuli
Campbell at Mililani
Kaimuki at Roosevelt
Leilehua at Waipahu
OIA White
Kalaheo vs. Kalani, at Kaiser
Radford at Moanalua
BIIF
Waiakea at Keaau
Konawaena at Honokaa
KIF
Waimea vs. Kauai, at Vidinha Stadium
MIL
King Kekaulike vs. Maui, at War Memorial Stadium
Saturday
ILH
Kamehameha vs. Punahou, at Aloha Stadium
Iolani vs. Pac-Five, at Aloha Stadium, 4:45 p.m.
OIA Red
McKinley vs. Farrington, at Roosevelt, 6:30 p.m.
BIIF
Kau at Hilo, at Wong Stadium, 7 p.m.
Hawaii Prep at Kealakehe, 7 p.m.
MIL
Baldwin vs. Pac-Three, at War Memorial Stadium
Punahou (2-1) opens its Interscholastic League of Honolulu season against undefeated Kamehameha at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Aloha Stadium.
The Warriors (3-0, 1-0 ILH) are coming off a thrilling 16-13 come-from-behind victory over Saint Louis last Saturday.
A day earlier, Punahou rose to the occasion and beat Iolani 27-19 in a nonleague game despite missing a significant number of players for breaking team rules.
"We're playing the top team in the state in Kamehameha," Buffanblu coach Kale Ane said. "It's a great challenge and we're hoping to compete."
Ane did not say whether the suspended players would return for the game.
He's hoping the team can limit mistakes on the field, especially penalties.
"We especially need to make sure we wrap up while tackling," he said.
The wrapping-up strategy will come in handy. Warriors running back Sy Cullen gained some tough yards against the Crusaders and appeared close to breaking some for long gains.
"Kamehameha is sky-high after beating Saint Louis and they're physically bigger than us," Ane said. "We need another outstanding effort from our players, who stepped up and played with heart and desire to give us a chance against Iolani."
Punahou is looking for another strong performance from quarterback John Morris, who passed for three touchdowns and ran for another against the Raiders.
"It's a very big week for us," Kamehameha coach Kanani Souza said. "Punahou is an excellent football team and they're very smart in how they utilize people. I'm impressed with them."
Valley Isle showdown: Who better to preview tomorrow night's King Kekaulike (2-1, 1-1 Maui Interscholastic League) vs. Maui (4-0, 2-0) game at War Memorial Stadium than Pac-Three coach Kevin O'Brien?
O'Brien's Titans played -- and lost -- to both Na Alii and the Sabers.
"Neither team tries to fool you," he said. "They come right at you. I think it will be a war of wills, a bang 'em up, knock 'em down game. King Kekaulike came close to winning the league last year and Maui is trying to climb back up on top."
It's shaping up as a three-team race, and Pac-Three (2-2, 1-2) can throw a wrench into it Saturday night against defending MIL champion Baldwin (4-0, 2-0).
"Any one of those three teams can win the title," O'Brien said. "My guess is one team will win the first round and another team will win the second round to force a playoff. One team will get left out."
The Titans are competing for the league's Division II state tournament berth against Lahainaluna (0-4, 0-3).
O'Brien counts Maui tailback Andrew Nakihei, King Kekaulike return specialist Bryson Gonsalves and Baldwin slotback J.J. Eno among the league's players to watch.
Other notable games: McKinley (2-1, 1-1) plays Farrington (2-2, 2-1) in an Oahu Interscholastic Association Red East battle Saturday night at Roosevelt. Both teams are striving to stay in playoff contention in the ultra-competitive conference.
Pearl City (3-1, 2-1) at Nanakuli (3-1, 2-1) tomorrow night pits two teams fighting to be among the four who will make the OIA playoffs from the Red West.
Pac-Five (2-1, 0-1) vs. Iolani (2-2, 0-0) is just one in a string of pivotal struggles that will determine the ILH's Division II state berth.
