[ HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ]
Kapolei draws Saint
Louis for stadium debut
For one team, it's simply about getting back on the right track.
For the other team, it's all about trying to take advantage of an opportunity that doesn't come around every day.
It's Saint Louis vs. Kapolei in an interleague football game at Aloha Stadium tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.
The Crusaders (1-1) are coming off a 37-17 beating at the hands of Kahuku last week, and look to right their shaky ship. They want to avoid another blow that would amount to a nearly lethal 1-2 combination.
Two losses in a row is way out of character for Saint Louis, winners of 16 Prep Bowl or state championships and the winningest program in the state.
The Hurricanes (0-1) face the stiffest challenge of their young existence. Kapolei is in its third year of varsity play and first season in Division I.
"What game?" Hurricanes coach Darren Hernandez laughed in jest about the upcoming challenge. "Seriously, though, we hope to do well on defense against their passing attack. They're very disciplined on offense. They have a great receiver in Shaun Kauleinamoku and they like to throw deep."
Kauleinamoku got his catches and yards against Kahuku, but all in all, he was contained.
Coach Delbert Tengan said quarterback Stanley Nihipali's performance was not as sharp as usual. He was under intense pressure from the Red Raiders.
"He had a rough game, but he's been looking really sharp otherwise," Tengan said. "And (running back) Kevin Sullivan improved his stock at running back. He came in (as a backup) and gave us some good carries."
Tengan knows that the Crusaders must establish the run --something they didn't do in the first half against Kahuku --for the passing game to be effective.
Defensively, Tengan said, the key to stopping Kapolei is to slow down the Hurricanes' spread option attack, so the coach is looking for more solid play from linebackers Jared Silva and Chester Wilson.
The Hurricanes are led offensively by quarterback Jon Medeiros, a three-year varsity performer, and versatile slotback Ikaika Tan.
Kapolei's top defensive players include defensive back Kainoa Kaheaku-Enhada, who had 14 interceptions over the last two seasons, and 390-pound nose tackle Darin Awong.
The game is special to the Hurricanes for one other reason. It's the first time they're playing at Aloha Stadium.
"We hoped to be there last season, but things didn't work out like they should have," Hernandez, who was referring to the Hurricanes' inability to get to the Division II championship game after a 9-0 start.
Punahou at Mililani
Matchups like this one don't come around too often, either.Both teams are 2-0 and -- like it or not --are getting that big test to find out exactly where they stand in the scheme of things in the upper-echelon of Hawaii high school football. They tangle Saturday night at 7:30.
The outcome is likely to be decided in the matchup of Punahou's prolific offense and Mililani's stingy defense.
The Trojans' defense is small, according to coach James Millwood, but that's not a negative.
"We have good team speed and they all know their positions well," Millwood said. "Our biggest starter is under 200 pounds.
"But anyone who plays against Punahou has a lot to worry about. They run a great (passing) offense. They're very deserving of (being considered) one of the top teams in the state."
Mililani's offense has some big weapons in running back Kekoa Perbera and wide receiver Jon Santos, and the Trojans are solid at quarterback with senior Maka Kahoano.
"Maka is the first returning quarterback I've had in four or five seasons," Millwood said.
The Buffanblu are getting solid quarterback play from Brett Kan and Justin Ingalls and have a potent runner in Steven Dannaway.
Punahou coach Kale Ane has been thrilled with the offensive-line play. The defense also showed some strength, holding Farrington down last week.
"Mililani is a great team," Ane said. "They always have extremely strong special teams. Their offense has been playing great and their defense just shoots people down."
Other Key Games
In another intriguing interleague matchup, Kamehameha (1-0-1) and Waianae (1-1) play at 4:30 tomorrow at Aloha Stadium, the opener to a doubleheader that ends with Saint Louis-Kapolei.Two key OIA White Division battles are scheduled for tomorrow night --Campbell (1-1) at Kaiser (1-1) and Radford (1-1) vs. Waipahu (1-1) at the Mililani field.
Castle (1-1) plays McKinley (0-2) at the Roosevelt field Saturday night in an OIA Red East contest. The Knights are looking to avenge a loss to the Tigers in the season finale last year --a loss that knocked them out of the postseason.
ILH-OIA interleague games continue Saturday with four more games, including undefeated Pac-Five (2-0) at defending Division II state champion Aiea (1-1) at 6:30 p.m.
The OIA is trying to gain some ground on the ILH, which has won eight of nine in head-to-head matchups so far this year.
Mafua to return next week: Kaimuki football coach Daniel Mafua was suspended by school officials and will miss Saturday's game at Kahuku.
The suspension came after Mafua's DUI arrest early Saturday morning.
Mafua didn't return a phone call yesterday.
According to several Kaimuki assistants, an acting head coach won't be named for the game. Instead, the assistants will combine forces to run the team. Mafua will be back next week to prepare for the Bulldogs' (0-2) Sept. 10 game against Farrington.
Weekend football
schedule
Friday
InterleagueKamehameha vs. Waianae, at Aloha Stadium, 4:30 p.m.
Saint Louis vs. Kapolei, at Aloha Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
OIA Red East
Roosevelt at Kailua, 7:30 p.m.
OIA White
Campbell at Kaiser, 7:30 p.m.
Moanalua at Waialua, 7:30 p.m.
Radford vs. Waipahu, at Mililani, 7 p.m. (varsity only)
MIL
Baldwin vs. Lahainaluna, at War Memorial Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
BIIF
Honokaa at Keaau, 7:15 p.m.
Ka'u at Kamehameha-Big Island, 1 p.m.
Non-league
Ranch Otay (Calif.) at Kamehameha-Maui, 6 p.m.
Saturday
InterleaguePac-Five at Aiea, 6:30 p.m.
Punahou at Mililani, 7:30 p.m.
Damien at Nanakuli, 7:30 p.m.
Iolani at Pearl City, 7:30 p.m.
OIA Red East
Kaimuki at Kahuku, 6:30 p.m.
Castle vs. McKinley, at Roosevelt field, 6:30 p.m.
OIA White
Kalaheo vs. Kalani, at Kailua field, 6:30 p.m.
BIIF
Hilo at Kohala, 11 a.m.
Kona at Hawaii Prep, 2 p.m.
Waiakea at Kealakehe, 7:15 p.m.
MIL
King Kekaulike vs. Pac-Three, at War Memorial Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
