State tournament rematch
has a different look
Overlooking Honolulu Harbor, with the Waianae mountains in sight, the Kamehameha Warriors await the next battle.
When the Leilehua Mules arrive at Kunuiakea Stadium on Saturday, the rematch between last year's state tournament finalists will again be a study in contrasts. Kamehameha, with a new quarterback, running back and even some new faces up front, have picked up steam since a season-opening loss to Kahuku.
The Warriors, behind linebackers Kapono Rawlins-Crivello, Mana Lolotai and Gerritt Vincent, are the ultimate in defense-first, run-first football.
The Mules still operate a hybrid, pass-first attack with gunslinging Bryant Moniz at quarterback. Kamehameha (2-1) is ranked No. 2 in the Star-Bulletin Top 10, while Leilehua (2-0) is at No. 5.
With linebacker Guyes Galdeira, considered by coach Nolan Tokuda the heart and soul of his defense, still battling injuries, Leilehua will be severely tested. That's why much of the weight is on the Mules offense, which is heavily influenced by Florida State, Hawaii and the San Francisco 49ers. In addition, Leilehua has added the option to its arsenal.
But perhaps the more intriguing football battles of Saturday will be a few miles away at Aloha Stadium, where the Hawaii High School Athletic Association Foundation Classic features Utah powerhouses Timpview and Davis.
Davis battles Saint Louis (1-1) in the 5 p.m. game. Timpview squares off against fourth-ranked Punahou (2-0) in the second game.
Davis is off to a 1-2 start, not much different from last year's campaign. The Darts started slowly and went on to capture the 5A crown after winning Region I -- the same league Skyline plays in. Skyline defeated Kahuku last year in a nonconference game.
As far as coach Delbert Tengan is concerned, there's far too much to worry about. "Unfortunately, they remind me of Waianae. They're tough, they swarm to the ball," he said, referring to his team's 30-20 defeat at Waianae two weeks ago. With just six returning starters at Saint Louis, the loss was an early eye-opener.
The Crusaders rebounded with a rout of Farrington last week and are No. 7 in the Star-Bulletin Top 10. Tengan, a defensive coordinator and head coach, admires the Darts' defensive unit, but is also wary of their running game.
"They run the ball real well inside and outside. They get isolations, traps and they test your perimeter with sweeps and the option game," he said.
Davis coach Ryan Bishop almost blushed over Tengan's comments. "For him to say that is a nice compliment," said Bishop, in his eighth season at the helm. "Saint Louis is very physical up front with their pass protection. They're very active on defense. That defense really sticks out to me."
The Crusaders amassed four first-half sacks against Farrington, resulting in three fumbles. Linebacker Jared Silva and defensive back Stephen Lei returned two of them for touchdowns.
Bishop's team lost several key starters to graduation. "We preach all the time that one or two athletes aren't gonna win everything for us," he said. "I feel if we're gonna have a chance to beat a team like Saint Louis, it has to be a team effort."
Quarterback Alex Hill has completed 33 of his 57 attempts for 492 yards. His main target is Nick Martineau, who has 15 receptions for 333 yards. Running back Andrew Lloyd is averaging almost 6 yards per carry (309 rushing yards).
Linebacker Shawn Wilson, with 30 tackles, and defensive back Chaz Walker, with 26, spark the Darts' defense. End Kalen Adams has 21 tackles, including three sacks.
Timpview, last year's 4A state champion, is already 3-0. The Deseret News has the Thunderbirds, coached by former Castle standout Louis Wong, ranked No. 1 in Utah. The fact that Timpview is ranked higher than any 5A team, including Davis, is not surprising to Utah fans. Ask Wong about rankings, however, and he remains stoic. Upbeat, but unfazed.
"I don't read the newspapers. I tell our players and parents not to, too," said Wong, who played on BYU's national championship team in 1984. "I tell them, 'Don't believe everything you read.' "
What Wong believes in is preparation. Times have changed, and he knows Hawaii football has, as well. "Hawaii used to be known for running the ball and playing physical, but now they can throw the ball," he said. "Punahou has great athletes."
Wong got a good look at the Buffanblu last weekend when Punahou downed Kailua 47-14. "I'm impressed with their quarterback," Wong noted, referring to Brett Kan. The senior completed 16 of his 31 attempts for 237 yards and four touchdowns. He was picked off just once.
"They remind us of a school that's north of us, Logan," Wong said. "We played them two years ago. They throw well and kept us guessing. They have a variety of receivers and they do a good job blocking. They're a very disciplined team with a very controlled sideline, very composed," Wong said.
Punahou coach Kale Ane enjoys the excitement. "We're in the building stage. It's been awhile since we've been in this kind of atmosphere," he said. The former Michigan State player knows his defense will be well-tested by Timpview, which operates a version of Urban Meyer's high-low option.
"It's very creative and fun to watch, but not fun to play against," Ane said. Wide receivers Dave Jackson and Griffin Miller (6-foot-2, 190) are key parts in Timpview's offense. The two seniors also play defensive back. Preston Phillips, a third-year starter at wideout and linebacker, is done for the season after suffering an ACL injury last week.
Davis arrived in Honolulu yesterday afternoon and went directly to Aloha Stadium for practice before checking in at a North Shore resort. Timpview, meanwhile, is staying in a smaller venue at Laie. That suits Wong just fine.
The T-Birds arrived on Saturday and haven't missed a moment of sunshine and fun. Wong joked about his team's cultural exchange. "We have only three Polynesians on our team, and that intimidates our other kids a little. I told them, 'Wait 'til you get to Hawaii,' " he said.
The T-Birds have gone surfing at Waikiki, bodyboarding at Pounders and shopping at the swap meet. They also visited the Arizona Memorial. Aside from giving his players bodyboarding advice, Wong's favorite part of the trip is the stop in Haleiwa.
"Matsumoto's (Shave Ice) is making a killing off us," he said.
The two Utah teams will meet this afternoon for a hukilau, Wong said, provided by former BYU standout Junior Ah You.
"We want to play well, obviously," Davis athletic director Jay Welk said. "But culturally, this is good for our kids."
Timpview was here a few years back to play Kamehameha. Wong is a bit emphatic about returning to the islands in the future.
"Coming here to play is something I'd like to do more often," he said. "If there's a school that wants to have a home-and-home (series) with us, let me know."
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