Title game a
windward showdownUndefeated Kahuku takes on
Kailua for OIA championship
In its first 10 football games this season, undefeated Kahuku had one close brush with defeat.
That game -- an Oct. 17 victory over Kailua -- turned out to be another notch in the Red Raiders' path toward wiping out the memory of last year's early exit from the playoffs.
Weekend schedule
All times 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted
Tomorrow
OIA Red (Division I)
Championship game
Kailua (8-1-1)vs. Kahuku (10-0), at Aloha Stadium
Third-place game
Farrington (5-4-1)vs. Mililani (9-1), at Aloha Stadium, 5 p.m.
BIIF
Division I playoffs
Waiakea (6-3) vs. Hilo (6-2), at Wong Stadium 7 p.m.
Division II playoffs
Honokaa (3-7) at Konawaena (5-4), 7 p.m.
MIL
Baldwin (8-1) vs. Maui (7-2), at War Memorial Stadium
Saturday
MIL
Lahainaluna (1-7)at King Kekaulike (6-2)
The two teams meet again tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. in the Oahu Interscholastic Association championship game.
Kailua (8-1-1) is interested in interrupting Kahuku's plan to return to the top of the state football heap.
"Our players would definitely rather keep playing than end the season like last year (OIA quarterfinal loss to Farrington)," Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai said. "They feel they owe it to this community to at least win a championship."
The Red Raiders (10-0) won state titles in 2000 and '01.
In the Oct. 17 game, Kailua trailed 12-9 until late in the third quarter before losing 26-9.
"All Kahuku football teams are good," Surfriders coach Darren Johnson said. "We're approaching this like a championship football game, but we're also trying to keep it in perspective.
"The most important thing for the players is to continue being focused on playing their assignments. We need all of these days this week to prepare for Kahuku. They have a lot of weapons and are good at every position. You just can't take anything for granted with them."
Both teams like to run -- Kahuku with a large stable of capable backs led by Dustin Huddy and Hyrum Moors and Kailua with either Damien Torres or Kekoa Su'a.
If the running games offset each other, the outcome could be decided by the passing attacks. Kahuku quarterback Waika Carvalho has been effective all year throwing to main targets Spencer Hafoka and Frank Bracewell.
Wideout Dylan Linkner is one of Kailua QB Kelroy Kohatsu's favorite go-to guys. Kohatsu was a big factor in the Surfriders' semifinal win over Mililani last week.
Defensively, the Red Raiders got a big spark from defensive back Toriano Taulogo in their last game. He had two interceptions in a semifinal victory over Farrington last Friday. The usual Kahuku heavy hitters, including linebackers Walker Vave and Kimball Niumatalolo and lineman Shosei Yamauchi, are expected to be ready.
Kalae Meagher and Sione Tuifua have helped carry the Kailua defense, which got a big interception from Lauton Atisanoe to seal the victory over Mililani.
Win or lose, the Red Raiders and Surfriders are headed to the Division I state tournament, which starts Nov. 21.
The winner meets Kauai (5-3) in a state first-round game at Aloha Stadium. The loser visits the Maui Interscholastic League champion.
"We remind the kids every week that they've got to be on top of their games," Livai said. "We're the only ones who can beat ourselves."
Govs, Trojans meet: Farrington (5-4-1) and Mililani (9-1) play tomorrow at 5 p.m. in the OIA third-place game at Aloha Stadium.
The winner visits the Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion for a state first-round game.
The loser plays Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion Saint Louis (7-1) in the first round of the states.
First-place clash: League first-round champion Baldwin (8-1, 6-1 MIL, 2-1 second round) can clinch the Valley Isle's overall championship and Division I state-tournament berth with a victory tomorrow against Maui (7-2, 5-2, 3-0).
If the Sabers win, they clinch the second-round title and force a championship playoff next Friday.
The best King Kekaulike (6-2, 5-2, 2-1) can finish is in a three-way tie for the second-round title, but only an outright title in either round qualifies a team for a playoff.
King Kekaulike's 37-0 loss to Maui last week eliminated Na Alii from a shot at the state tournament.
Lahainaluna (1-7, 1-6), which visits King Kekaulike on Saturday, can secure a spot in the Division II state tournament with a win. If the Lunas lose, they'll play Pac-Three (2-8, 1-7) next Saturday for the right to advance.
