Damien, Iolani play
for D-II positionThe winner of tomorrow's
game will have an advantage
in earning the ILH's bid
in the state tourney
It's a highly significant midseason Interscholastic League of Honolulu football clash, and neither Saint Louis nor Kamehameha is involved.
Weekend schedule
All games 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted
Tomorrow
ILH
Iolani vs. Damien, at Aloha Stadium, 4:45 p.m.
Punahou vs. Saint Louis, at Aloha Stadium
OIA Red
Nanakuli vs. Campbell, at Mililani field
Kahuku vs. Farrington, at Roosevelt field
Roosevelt at Kailua
Leilehua at Pearl City
Waianae at Waipahu
OIA White
Kapolei at Kaiser
BIIF
Waiakea vs. Kohala, at Kamehameha Park, 7 p.m.
Honokaa vs. Hilo, at Wong Stadium
KIF
Kapaa vs. Kauai, at Vidinha Stadium
MIL
Maui vs. Baldwin, at War Memorial Stadium
Saturday
OIA Red
McKinley vs. Kaimuki, at Kaiser Stadium
OIA White
Aiea at Waialua
BIIF
Kau at Hawaii Prep, 2 p.m.
Keaau at Kealakehe
MIL
King Kekaulike vs. Lahainaluna, at War Memorial Stadium
Tomorrow's Iolani (3-2, 1-0) vs. Damien (1-1, 1-0) joust has postseason implications. Both teams have beaten the league's other Division II team -- Pac-Five -- and now meet for the right to gain the inside track to a state tournament berth.
"It's a pivotal game that will give the winner control of the (D-II) race," Raiders coach Wendell Look said.
Look is very impressed with the Monarchs' vast improvement this season. They won their first league game since 2000 two weeks ago with a dominant 32-7 performance against Pac-Five.
Last week, Iolani nudged past the Wolfpack 14-8.
"Damien's whole attitude has changed," Look said. "They've taken their lumps, but their seniors have been together since they were sophomores and you can see that they're playing with confidence."
Defensively, Iolani's main objective is to stop Monarchs running back Ranson DeCosta.
"He's very tough to bring down with one guy," Look said.
Linebackers Brian Wallace and John Takamura, defensive lineman Keone Nakoa and defensive backs Milo Kalama and Kyle Muraoka are among the Raiders' defensive leaders who will try to hold the Damien offense down.
Iolani's running game is the Damien defense's main concern, especially if the shifty Raynold Stowers returns from an injury. But even if he doesn't, backup Mike Hirokawa has shown he's capable of getting the job done.
"Iolani is a good football team and we're preparing for what we think will be a great game," said Damien's Dean Nakagawa, who is the co-head coach with Rudy Alejo.
"We showed we were capable of playing a mistake-free brand of football against Pac-Five, and it was the first time in a long, long time that we had no turnovers. That victory lifted the spirit of the whole school."
Nakagawa is particularly wary of Stowers, who gained more than 500 yards against the Monarchs in two games last year.
He's looking for continued standout defensive work from linebacker Brennan Dela Cruz, safety Fehi Sevelo and defensive end Soane Sevelo.
"This is a great bunch of kids to work with," Nakagawa said. "Our leadership is a lot better than it used to be.
"Still, we have to be physically, mentally and emotionally ready to play this week."
It's the first time in a while that an ILH regular-season game not involving Saint Louis or Kamehameha has had major playoff significance. The Crusaders have won every ILH title since 1986 and the Warriors have usually placed second.
Tomorrow's kickoff is 4:45 p.m. at Aloha Stadium.
Red Raiders primed for rematch: Kahuku (4-0, 3-0) and Farrington (3-2, 3-1) tangle in an important Oahu Interscholastic Association Red East game tomorrow night at the Roosevelt High School field.
The 2000 and 2001 state champion Red Raiders want to avenge a loss to the Governors in the OIA playoffs a year ago.
They've been getting top-notch performances from quarterback Waika Carvalho, wide receiver Spencer Hafoka, running back Paea Vaimoui and defensive end Shosei Yamauchi.
Kahuku is up against a tough customer in Govs running back Matt Bell.
"We know what he (Bell) can do," Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai said. "He carries them, but they've got a nice passing game and we're concerned about other guys, too."
One of those guys is Farrington quarterback Eti Atonio, who has consistently improved each week.
Kahuku's interior defensive linemen -- Joseph Faifili and Ikani Samani -- have been among the Red Raiders' unsung contributors.
"They've done a heckuva job harassing and pressuring our opponents," Livai said.
Farrington coach Randall Okimoto is concerned with just about everything Kahuku has to offer -- quick defense, running game and improved passing game.
"Hafoka is a player to watch and they always call his number at the right time," Okimoto said. "And Vaimoui has been running the ball effectively.
"But I think that we'll be in the game if we don't turn the ball over and can stop their run. We think we can win; that's how we approach every game."
Other notable games: Defending Maui Interscholastic League champion Baldwin (5-0, 3-0) tries to remain unbeaten and clinch the league's first-round title against the Maui Sabers (4-1, 2-1) tomorrow at War Memorial Stadium.
Defending state champion Saint Louis (1-1, 0-1) tries to bounce back from its loss to Kamehameha in tomorrow night's feature game at Aloha Stadium against Punahou (2-2, 0-1).
In a key OIA Red West contest Friday, Pearl City (4-1, 3-1) hosts Leilehua (3-1, 2-1).
Two OIA White contenders are preparing for crucial games: Kapolei (4-0, 3-0) visits Kaiser (2-2, 2-1) tomorrow, while Aiea (3-1, 3-0) hits the road to face Waialua (0-4, 0-3).
Even though the Bulldogs are winless, they've turned the heads of other conference coaches with their scrappy play and they came close to knocking off Kapolei and ever-improving Kalaheo.
The Mustangs (3-2, 3-1) have a bye this week.
