By Paul Honda
hondareporttop10@aol.com
Friday, Oct. 6, 2006

WAIPIO — Friday afternoon, traffic is a mess in town and I'm out here in a coffee shop just chilling in air conditioning.

This is good. So are my Pupule picks. Usually.

Friday's games
• ILH
No. 9 Iolani at No. 2 Punahou — Big rivalry, but the mid-afternoon starting time keeps a lot of alums and fans away. Most of them are just getting into their cars by 4 p.m., let alone 3:15. This game could take 3 hours to finish. I expect a minimum of 80 pass attempts by these two run-and-shoot teams unless Iolani decides to stack the box against Punahou's talented running backs. Punahou 51, Iolani 32.

No. 4 Kamehameha vs. Damien, Aloha Stadium — I firmly believe Kamehameha is the third-best team in the state, btw. Damien could make this close. Or Kanani Souza might. He won't take any chances. That's what his track record says. I expect KS to play smashmouth football to send a message to their pals down Houghtailing. Kamehameha 29, Damien 14.

Pac-Five vs. No. 1 Saint Louis, Aloha Stadium — The Wolfpack have enough talent to make this is a close game, but the Crusaders are just too balanced, too disciplined to let this get away. Crusaders 41, Wolfpack 16.

• OIA Red
Moanalua at Kailua — Surfriders are in musical-chairs mode at quarterback, which could cause inconsistency and give the underdog Menehune an way in. Home field is the difference in this battle of the blues. Surfriders 27, Menehune 21.

Farrington vs. McKinley, Mililani Stadium — Two schools just a few miles apart drive 25 miles to meet tonight for TV purposes. Hope they got on those buses before 3 p.m. The difference tonight will be backup quarterback Maeli Siliga's experience edge (JV, three games this season) over McKinley backup Isaac Iuta (first game as a varsity QB tonight). Governors 20, Tigers 13.

Castle at Kahuku — At Castle, this would be a closer game. At Carleton Weimer Field in Kahuku, long, long odds. Red Raiders aren't quite an aerial circus act yet, but they have too much size and muscle to lose the interior battles. Only turnovers could hurt Kahuku. Red Raiders 34, Black Knights 25.

Leilehua at Aiea — This is definitely going to be an aerial battle now that Bryant Moniz is back to normal after sustaining a concussion against Waianae three weeks ago. Aiea is banged up, too, but getting better. Na Alii still have Alfredo Higa at quarterback, though All-State receiver Lofa Liilii is probably the best quarterback on the team. The better running team, Leilehua, gets the nod here. Mules 32, Na Alii 30.

Radford at Kapolei — Could be a carnival of touchdowns. Will Aaron Santiago be effective despite injury? Hurricanes 33, Rams 28.

• OIA White
Anuenue at Pearl City — Chargers want to assert control in the White. Pearl City 26, Anuenue 12.

Roosevelt at Kaiser — Cougars too tough in this run-and-shoot conflict.
Kaiser 41, Roosevelt 26.

• BIIF
Hilo vs. Waiakea, Wong Stadium — Warriors get the nod over the young Vikings. Waiakea 26, Hilo 16.
Keaau at Ka‘u — Cougars too strong. Keaau 42, Trojans 6.

• KIF
Kauai vs. Waimea, Hanapepe Stadium — Last time, it was a surprisingly easy win for Kauai. At Hanapepe, though, it'll be a little closer. Kauai 27, Waimea 13.

• MIL
King Kekaulike vs. Pac-3, War Memorial Stadium — Na Alii can taste that Division II title, but the Titans have pride. King K 44, Pac-3 22.

Saturday's games
• OIA Red
Mililani at Campbell — Tough place to win. Sabers have had their share of close losses in this return season to the Red. Trojans are in playoff mode already, though, with two losses. Mililani 42, Campbell 22.

• OIA White
Waialua vs. Kaimuki, Roosevelt Stadium — Contrast in styles. Green 'Dogs 37, Red 'Dogs 15.

Waipahu at Nanakuli — Marauders have a potent option game, while the Golden Hawks are finding their identity. They're throwing the ball with some success. Waipahu 29, Nanakuli 20.

• BIIF
Kealakehe at Hawaii Prep — Daytime football, just the way it was drawn up on the blueprint when God created this game. Waveriders 40, Ka Makani 7.

Honokaa at Kohala — The days of entire sugar plantation camps coming out to the big game are long gone, as are the entire-paycheck wagers of those bygone days. Dragons are too strong this year. Honokaa 33, Kohala 18.

Kamehameha-Hawaii at Konawaena — Wildcats have their weaknesses, but they have Kawai Kanuha and enough talent to get past the young Warriors. Konawaena 20, KS-Hawaii 15.

• MIL
No. 6 Baldwin vs. Maui, War Memorial Stadium — Rivalry is there, but the gap in talent is too wide. Bears 34, Sabers 14.

Lahainaluna at Kamehameha-Maui — The Lunas are just a couple of points from being in the MIL lead. As much as they are anticipating their next shot at Baldwin, they can't afford to overlook the Warriors. Lahainaluna 21, KS-Maui 19.

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