HondaReport.com - Did not know

Balance makes all the difference in today's prep football universe. Having more than one dimension gives teams a competitive edge. Kailua and Pac-Five know that well.

Following last night's games — and tonight's matchups are even better — it's time for some Did Not Knows.

Did know: Kailua has a very competitive team despite a low number of returning starters. It's interesting to see that even if the Surfriders don't have a dominant running game as in years past, they have more balance. Lack of balance was a factor when Kailua had incredible seasons in the since the early '90s only to fall short of the Prep Bowl or state finals. Having a passing game that is a threat makes a ton of difference.

Last night's 10-0 lead at Kahuku — AT KAHUKU — made it a second week in a row that the Surfriders jumped on a powerhouse opponent. Alas, the lead didn't hold, but what they''ve done in defeat on the road says a lot.

Did not know: Kaniela Tuipulotou's ankle injury, sustained in the second half against Punahou last week, is more serious than thought. He was held out of last night's game, but as he predicted, the Kahuku defense is just as talented as last year's, if only inexperienced.

He may not be entirely right about the talent issue, though this unit is very athletic and powerful, and a new staff is learning on the fly in varsity play. Who knows? Maybe by the end of the regular season, Kaniela will be 100 percent correct, because experience is all they need.

Did not know: Na Koa would come out airing the ball to the tune of 34 pass attempts in last night's loss to Kaimuki. Many coaches with a roster of 21 players would prefer to grind out an offense with a run-first mentality. That would keep the clock moving and reduce fatigue.

Not Anuenue. They like throwing the ball, and they should with the quarterback and receivers they have. There were five drops last night that could have swung the game a little closer. Anuenue was within 13-6 for nearly three quarters before losing by 20. In time, this could be a juggernaut, because the commitment to throwing the ball is there, and as Kaimuki said after the game, Anuenue has a lot of heart.

Did not know: Ryan Dung would be limited to 9-for-25 passing. There are few teams that can really take the rhythm out of Iolani's offense, not while the starting quarterback is on the field. Mililani, with its inexperienced secondary, did just that. The addition of Isaiah Lawelawe gives them a stud at safety and frees up other DBs to do more cover work — just what the doctor prescribed.

Did know: Jordan Torres would blow up this season, as Coach James Millwood forecast.

Did not know: He would run 34 times for 234 yards on Iolani. True, Iolani's defense is smaller than average, and young, too. But Torres could potentially approach the 1,900 yards racked up by Damien's Kealoha Pilares (last year). If that nagging ankle injury that hampered his basketball season stays healthy, it's a real possibility.

Did not know: It would be a 7-6 game. Looks like the Red Raiders are still trying to get the juice flowing in their run-and-shoot. Andrew Renaud was 18-for-34 with three picks, 203 yards. Pono Matthews, last year's quarterback, threw just one pass and ran three times for seven yards. Looks like Coach Kelii Morgado is committed to making the R&S work as Kauai goes after its fourth KIF title in a row.

Did not know: Bryson Beirne would throw 43 times. The Wolfpack are run-first team even though Beirne has a strong arm. If Radford stacked the box, Beirne will throw, and was 22-for-43 with two picks, 256 yards. Zachary Fujimoto (nine catches) and Jordan Ho-Ching (eight for 174 yards) are helping the 'Pack look a little more like the 1980s version that won two Prep Bowls. Balance rules.