Honolulu Star-Bulletin: Red Raiders rise above distractions

Some extra numbers and thoughts about last night's Kahuku-Farrington game.

Alefesio Iu
No-huddle, first half: 5-for-5, 80 yards, one touchdown
No-huddle, second half: 2-for-2, 26 yards
Regular huddle, first and second half: 11-for-21, 96 yards, one interception

His leg injury late in the game during Farrington's final drive prevented, I think, a second touchdown for the Govs. Let's hope he gets back healthy as soon as possible.

Targets
Farrington
Ani Isumu: 12 targets, six receptions for 69 yards
Matt Stowers: six targets, one reception, 10 yards, one drop
Faifaiese Emosi: six targets, four receptions, 32 yards
Dayton Kealoha: two targets, two receptions, 24 yards
Joshua Fernandez: six targets, six receptions, 77 yards, one touchdown

In addition, Fernandez ran 11 times for 30 yards. He was hit so many times at the line of scrimmage, I'm surprised he almost averaged 3 yards per carry. His receiving skills are excellent, as you see.

Alefesio Iu had a terrific game. While Jray Galeai of Kahuku continues to learn on the job quickly, he had ups (three touchdowns) and downs (two picks). Iu, a junior like Galeai, was 18-for-28 for 202 yards with one touchdown and one pick. I wondered how he would handle Kahuku's immense pressure; the Red Raiders have some of the best, quickest linebackers in the OIA. But Iu wasn't bad. He's young and tends to hold the ball a little too long, and sometimes he improvises his way out of trouble. He'll learn to get rid of the ball or make a decision to run much earlier.

Iu was at his best when Farrington ran a no-huddle offense, and though it would've been asking a lot for the Govs to change their gameplan, I think they would've done much better by going no-huddle in the second half. The Govs went no-huddle at the end of each half with pretty good success. Iu was really composed in that tempo. At the very least, now the Govs can add that aspect to their future gameplans.

Kahuku threw the ball 12 times last night, which doesn't sound like a lot for most teams, but is much more than average for the Red Raiders.

Targets
Kahuku
Jerrik Akina: two targets, no receptions
Junior Mataafa: two targets, two receptions, 35 yards, one touchdown
Paipai Falemalu: two targets, one reception, 24 yards, one touchdown
Willie Ching: two targets, two receptions, 56 yards, one touchdown
Jordan Kamae: two targets, no receptions (and both attempts were intercepted)
Jordan Mohetau: one target, one reception, seven yards

Of the 12 pass attempts, nine were by Galeai, who was 5-for-9 for 115 yards. He's really coming along with his timing and chemistry involving the receivers. The Red Raiders make use of a lot of play-action and give him a lot of winnable, high-percentage passing opportunities. I know there are Kahuku fans who want to see more play-action on first down, but when you average 5.7 yards per carry, you stick to the run.

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