HondaReport.com - Now I know

There are a lot of things I do not know, like 98% of the content on Wikipedia, or the proper way to bake a chiffon cake. But that's only because I don't care about chiffon cakes. I care about football. American football. Good ol' drop back, escape the rush and fire a perfect strike to a streaking receiver kind of ball.

The first weekend of prep football is done, and we now have respectable lists of 'did' and 'did not knows' to work with.

Did know: That Kahuku would find a way to get most, if not all, of its 97 players into the game against Punahou.

Did not know: How much of a difference Kaniela Tuipulotu's ankle injury (second half) would make in Kahuku's pass rush.

Did know: Pac-Five's 'new' white helmets were a throwback to the Prep Bowl championship years of 1982 and '85.

Did not know: Papa Don Botelho, the former Wolfpack coach, still helps out his son, current coach Kip Botelho, with the more laborious behind-the-scenes work like issuing jerseys and equipment.

Did know: Waialua has a potent offense led by Caleb Forte and nine returning starters.

Did not know: The Bulldogs would score 48 points at Honokaa. I was counting on only 41.

Did know: Nanakuli's new staff includes a number of former college players, even Kamehameha graduates.

Did not know: The Golden Hawks would play Kamehameha so tough in a 12-point loss at Kunuiakea Stadium.

Did know: Saint Louis quarterback Micah Mamiya was a very sharp backup last season.

Did not know: He would struggle for more than a half against McKinley before the Saints turned a 7-0 game into a 42-7 rout.

Did know: Quarterback Bryant Moniz (25 for 33, 286 yards, zero picks) would shine for Leilehua in a win over Kailua.

Did not know: Kailua slinger Zachary Akamine would throw two first-quarter scores to give the visiting Surfriders a stunning 20-7 lead.

Did know: Iolani had a ton of new starters coming off last year's Division II state title team.

Did not know: Ryan Dung would have such command of the run-and-shot, no-huddle offense. His presence on the field is immeasurable, but the stats do reveal much: 14-for-24, 217 yards, two touchdowns and no picks.

Did not know: How amazingly erratic he still would be, firing four picks, but amassing 274 yards and a cool-as-ice-water 69-yard drive in the final 2:57 to beat Kahuku.

This could go on for hours, so I'll spare you. Much more to come real soon. Yay.

Paul Honda will build at least a dozen created teams based on current high school squads on his PS2 using NCAA Football 2007. Feel free to advise him on individual ratings for players at all positions by e-mailing hondareport@aol.com or by posting in the high school football forum.