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Kahuku, Mililani meet for
OIA Red Championship
Also, Waipahu and Campbell play
for the White title tomorrow
While much of the state has a bye this weekend, the Oahu Interscholastic Association will crown its champions.
Kahuku and Mililani will square off in a long-awaited showdown for the Red Conference title.
For these two teams, it's a matter of pride, goals and dominance. For Leilehua and Castle, it's a matter of survival.
When the Mules and Knights square off Saturday, they will play not only for third place in the OIA, but the final state-tournament berth.
Over in the White Conference playoffs, Waipahu and Campbell battle for the league championship. Both of these teams, of course, have already sealed Division II state tournament berths.
Football's high-tech offenses have taken a back seat to the Red Raiders and Trojans, two teams that do things the old-fashioned way.
Here's a look at this weekend's OIA playoff games.
No. 1 Kahuku (9-1) vs. No. 2 Mililani (10-0)
Playoff run: Kahuku defeated Aiea 32-8 and Leilehua 12-6; Mililani defeated Kailua 41-21 and rallied past Castle 21-9.On paper: Their common opponents include Aiea and Leilehua. Kahuku downed Na Alii two weeks ago in the opening round of the OIA playoffs. Mililani handled Aiea 34-13 in the regular-season opener. Kahuku got past Leilehua last week in torrential rain, 12-6, at Aloha Stadium. Mililani, playing at home, overpowered the Mules 35-14 on Oct. 8.
The skinny: The Red Raider offensive juggernaut has been resting on idle in the playoffs. Sure, there was soggy weather, but without their top two running backs, Kahuku has been relatively sedate since averaging 449 yards per game during the regular season.
Kahuku loves its "I" formation, pounding away with a posse of outstanding runners. When defenses cheat in, quarterback Bronson Ponciano-Ahue finds speedy Spencer Hafoka on deep routes.
Mililani, with myriad formations, has consistently established a ground game this season. And when defenses close in on running backs Kekoa Perbera, Jordan Torres and Jordan Apduhan, quarterback Maka Kahoano has been superb with play-action connections to receivers like Jon Santos.
The Red Raider secondary has been tough on just about everyone, which means Santos may not get his usual yards-after-catch numbers.
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Mililani's secondary, hit by a key injury in midseason, will have to step up to keep pace.
Even without its backs, Kahuku has enough offensive and defensive power to deal with the Trojans. Hafoka is capable of a monster game anytime, as his four-touchdown performance against Aiea showed.
Kahuku's swarming defense has been a constant, permitting just 145 yards per game during the regular season, and then stifling Leilehua's potent attack. Al Afalava leads a big, tough secondary.
Mililani has been able to run effectively all year. Sometimes, it took two or three quarters to wear a defense down, but the Trojans' offensive line, including Sene Ma'afala, Nate Kia and Micah Kia, has been consistent.
X factor: If Kahuku's top backs, Micah Strickland and Maloso Te'o, are healthy, the committee of runners will still get a test from Mililani's quick, physical defense.
The true X factor, however, is Kahuku's special teams. The Red Raiders have had struggles with extra points this year, as in many years, and that could be costly in a close game. Mililani doesn't have major field-goal kicking range, but the Trojans are relatively consistent on PAT kicks.
No. 9 Castle (7-3) vs. No. 7 Leilehua (8-2)
Playoff run: Castle downed Kapolei 16-6 before losing to Mililani; Leilehua edged Farrington 7-6 before falling to Kahuku.On paper: One of their common opponents is Kahuku. Leilehua came close. Castle lost to Kahuku 45-10 six weeks ago at Kailua Stadium.
The skinny: This game could take some extra time to complete. The Knights love their run-and-shoot offense, while Leilehua's hybrid offense is geared to generate big passing yardage and points.
Leilehua quarterback Bryant Moniz led the West in passing yardage, but struggled in the rain last week. If anything, the Mules have an edge at home because of their familiarity with the field's mud.
This is one game where Castle won't necessarily face smash-mouth football. The Mules throw to running back Justin Lawelawe almost as much as they hand the ball off to him.
X factor: Conditioning. This marathon of a game will take a toll on defensive backs and wide receivers. For two-way players like Leilehua's Chustin Senas, there is very little margin for error.
Castle quarterback Jordan Nakayama came back down to earth during the playoffs, but remains a crafty, elusive passer. Moniz, however, has bigger big-play potential thanks to his chemistry with Senas and the other big-play receiver, 6-foot-2 Anthony Palomares. If the Knights don't get a good pass rush on Moniz, he could have a big night.
Speedy Castle linebacker Blaze Soares will certainly be a force to reckon with. Leilehua's small, but quick, offensive line has a formidable task ahead.
Campbell (7-2) vs. Waipahu (7-2)
Playoff run: Campbell posted its second win over Radford 22-9; Waipahu overwhelmed Kaiser 28-6.On paper: These two teams are as even as they could possibly be. Waipahu pulled out a 28-27 win over the Sabers on Oct. 1.
The skinny: Battle of the ground attacks. Waipahu's Austen Benito directs the option attack, with running back Krypton Taito, the White's leading rusher (104 yards per game) bulldozing through the middle. Campbell runs a lot, but out of a Delaware Wing offense featuring shifty, sturdy quarterback Shaye Asoau.
The former Kaimuki quarterback picked up the gist of coach Tumoana Kennessey's offense quickly and threw 10 touchdown passes in regular-season play without an interception.
X factor: Fumbles. The team with fewer fumbles will likely win this game, especially if the rain continues through the weekend.
Note: The Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division I title game has been moved from Saturday to tomorrow. Kealakehe and Hilo will play at Keaau at 7 p.m.
