Mules, Trojans hit
road for openers
The new school digs multi-media interaction, perhaps a bit more than the old school.
The Hawaii High School Athletic Association released pairings yesterday for the First Hawaiian Bank State Football Championships. That means some mileage-plus air travel for two Oahu teams this weekend.
Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion Kealakehe will host Leilehua (9-2) on Friday in one of two Division I matchups. Lahainaluna (8-1-1), the Maui Interscholastic League titlist, will play Mililani (10-1) at War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku, also on Friday.
The Division II state tourney also kicks off that night with two games. Kauai, winner of the Kauai Interscholastic Federation, entertains Pac-Three at Vidinha Stadium in Lihue. Hawaii Prep (9-1) will battle Waipahu at Radford's James Velasco Field.
The new school includes first-year varsity head coach Nolan Tokuda of Leilehua. After guiding the junior varsity program to a 17-4 record over two seasons, he moved up to the varsity and achieved similar results. Leilehua, now ranked No. 6 in the Star-Bulletin Top 10, edged Castle 14-10 on Saturday to earn third place in the OIA.
Thanks to the playoff schedule and their own success, the Mules hosted two of their three OIA postseason games. This time, however, the relatively young team will have to play in hostile territory. Kealakehe, on the legs of Jinho Tohara, rumbled through the BIIF once the sturdy running back returned from injury. The Waveriders captured the league title with a 41-21 win over Hilo on Friday.
Along with several other coaches, Tokuda experienced his first press conference yesterday at Aloha Stadium. "It was pretty exciting. Hopefully, we can make it a habit," he said.
But that's where the multi-media aspect kicks in. Kealakehe coach Sam Papali'i informed Tokuda that he has no videotape of his team to exchange, which means the Mules will enter the game without a clear concept of what the Waveriders do.
Leilehua has been on statewide TV through OC-16 once during the regular season and twice in the OIA playoffs.
"It's scary, not knowing what to prepare for," Tokuda admitted. "We just have to execute what we do every day at practice."
In addition, two key players are injured. Quarterback Bryant Moniz suffered bruised ribs, and defensive anchor Vai Tamafuta (6-1, 310) has an ankle injury.
Lahainaluna coach Bobby Watson has seen his program through good and tough times alike. This year's team surprised MIL watchers by winning the league title, perhaps a year ahead of schedule. Mililani's large offensive line concerns the longtime Luna coach.
"That's my biggest concern, their size. They're not ranked No. 2 in the state for nothing," said Watson before seeing this week's rankings.
Watson has eight two-way starters. Among them is Valu Sake, one of the state's top defensive standouts.
Mililani coach James Millwood has a team on the rebound. The loss to Kahuku won't erode the squad's confidence, he believes. Traveling to the Valley Isle may be tough, though.
"They're gonna have a huge home-field advantage. A lot of people will be there cheering for Lahainaluna, from what I hear," Millwood said. "They remind me of Campbell a couple of years ago, running kind of like a Wing-T with lots of fly motion."
Hawaii Prep, meanwhile, is ready for the D-II tourney with a healthy squad. Running back Mike Kopra ran for 212 yards against Hilo in the regular-season closer, giving HPA a 9-0 mark and the unofficial BIIF title. Kopra did it despite a bad case of the flu, throwing up on the sidelines between plays.
"He's also our leading tackler," Ka Makani coach Tom Goodspeed noted. Waipahu's option attack is a serious concern for HPA, which hasn't seen much option this year.
"Kealakehe started off with the option. Then they lost a couple and went to a power game," Goodspeed said. "It's a helluva (defensive) responsibility. It worries me."
State football
Division I
First round
Nov. 19
Game 1: Leilehua at Kealakehe, 7:30 p.m.
Game 2: Mililani vs. Lahainaluna at War Memorial Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
Semifinals
Nov. 26
At Aloha Stadium
Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Kahuku, time TBD
Game 4: Game 2 winner vs. Kamehameha, time TBD
Championship
Dec. 3
At Aloha Stadium
Game 3 & 4 winners, 8 p.m.
Division II
First round
Nov. 19
Game 1: Hawaii Prep vs. Waipahu at Radford, 7:30 p.m.
Game 2: Pac-Three vs. Kauai at Vidinha Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
Semifinals
Nov. 26
Game 3: Game 2 winner vs. Campbell at Moanalua, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 27
Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. Iolani at Kamehameha, 7:30 p.m.
Championship
Dec. 3
At Aloha Stadium
Game 3 & 4 winners, 5 p.m.
