By Paul Honda
hondareport@aol.com

WAIANAE — When I think about the eight years I lived in Kona, so many things come to mind, and I can't deny that the Kona Coast has so many things in common with the Waianae Coast.

People in both places love their trucks.

They love to fish.

Football is a way of life. Sure, Waianae has a truckload of OIA championships and has been a statewide powerhouse for decades. Kealakehe is just seven years old, but most of the bloodlines that feed into the Waverider program come from Konawaena alumni. Konawaena, for those of us who aren't familiar with Big Island football history, was long the ultra-dynasty in the BIIF.

That's why I'm relishing this night, talking story with old friends from Kona like Bo Waite and
Tavita Moevao. Bo is originally from Oahu, like Tavita, but both have lived in Kona for a long time and settled down there to raise their families.

Both have sons on the Waverider squad, which will make this game even more interesting for me to watch.

What will I see? Here's what I think will happen.

Division I
No. 8 Kealakehe (12-0) at No. 3 Waianae (7-4) — It will take the Waveriders a certain amount of time to adjust to a) Oahu officiating, b) Waianae's speed, c) a hostile environment, and d) playing football just a few hours after flying across the state and driving through traffic for two hours.

If the 'Riders make all those adjustments soon enough, this will be an intriguing game. They played to a 21-14 Waianae win last year at Kealakehe. That game is reason enough for the Seariders to be on their toes tonight. The Waianae defense is among the state's best, and I'm 100-percent sure that George Kauwalu will make it his personal mission to shoot down Kealakehe's shifty running back, Gabe Tuata.

Kealakehe's backfield is not a question mark. Tuata, Max Papalii and bulldozer Fetu Iongi are capable. The question is whether Kealakehe's O-line will be able to move Waianae's massive D-line. Nobody has really been able to handle Waianae's linebacking corps, either. Kauwalu is just part of the equation. Chad Dulan is very capable in the middle, and David Paaluhi played well last week as Kahuku ran away from Kauwalu.

This is a defense that limited Kahuku to just seven points. Therein lies the rub: Kahuku threw the ball just three times and didn't have a completion. If Kealakehe can be just a little more creative and come up with three or four game-breaking plays, this could turn out to be a surprise.

I'm not counting on it. Waianae has been battle tested from the opening game of the season (Farrington, then Punahou). Kealakehe hasn't been tested since last year's loss to Waianae. The pupule pick? Close for a half until Waianae wears the Waveriders down ...

Waianae 23, Kealakehe 7.

No. 9 Mililani (8-3) vs. No. 6 Baldwin (9-0-1), War Memorial Stadium — The Trojans did a solid job against Bryant Moniz last week in a 23-21 win at Leilehua. Mililani's balanced offense and two-headed monster at tailback (Jordan Torres and Isaiah Lawelawe) will make it difficult to for Baldwin's defense to gamble

Mililani's secondary has been up and down this season, so the duo of Chase Nakamura and Colten Quinablo will be quite a challenge. Jordan Helle has been successful against weaker MIL teams, but he'll need lots of protection against a swarming Mililani defense. If the Trojans can force the junior gunslinger out of the pocket often, Baldwin's offense will struggle, and it has in recent games against Lahainaluna and Kamehameha-Maui.

This is a true pick-'em game. My hunch is with the more experienced quarterback, Rustin Funakoshi, and the X Factor, tight end David Rivers.

Mililani 28, Baldwin 21.

DIVISION II
Waipahu (7-2-2) at Kamehameha-Hawaii (9-2) — The Warriors have won some very close games home and away. They rallied in the final 2 minutes to beat Konawaena 10-6 last week, which is good or not so good, depending on your perspective. Konawaena nearly won despite using their starting center at quarterback after Kawai Kanuha sustained a season-ending collarbone injury two weeks ago.

Waipahu has the material to play smashmouth football. I'm expecting a tight game that will come down to special teams.

The call here? A seasoned group of seniors provides enough leadership for a tough road win ... Marauders 20, Warriors 17.

Kaimuki (6-4-1) at Iolani (5-5-1) — Can Kaimuki's small core of two-way starters handle Iolani's no-huddle offense? Can the Raider defense withstand the Bulldogs' punishing ground attack?

Iolani is playing well, coming off a 33-19 win over Damien. Kaimuki needs to bounce back from a 22-6 loss to Waipahu. Fatigue — or lack of depth — will be a factor, which is why I think Kaimuki is a year away from winning the OIA White title.

I'll be cheering for my alma mater in green and yellow, but Iolani gets the nod this time. Raiders 31, Bulldogs 21.

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