Pupule Pigskin Picks, Week 9, Oct. 12-13
Posted at 2:49 PM

Yabba doo. Here's a Pupule view of this weekend's matchups.

Rankings based on Honolulu Star-Bulletin Top 10.

Friday's games
No. 2 Punahou (4-1, 2-1) vs. No. 1 Saint Louis (6-0, 3-0) -- Buffanblu will have some tweaks and wrinkles especially for this rematch, I think. Can the Crusaders persist in the midst of a brutal schedule? Pupule says: Crusaders rally, 28-26.

Damien (2-3-1, 1-2) vs. Iolani (3-3, 2-1) -- Monarchs are tinkering in the lab, trying to find more balance offensively. Ball control will be absolutely key for Damien. Iolani's offense rolls up points and yardage on everybody, including Saint Louis. Kela Marciel will have 300 combined yards. Kama Bailey will rush for 220 yards. Pupule says: Raiders 36, Monarchs 29.

No. 3 Kahuku (5-2, 5-0) at Moanalua (2-4-1, 1-4) -- Red Raiders don't want a letdown nor any unnecessary injuries. They've been susceptible against running QBs (Cody vonAppen, Mason Koa) before, and Jordan Monico (6-0, 226) is bigger, stronger and more violent than either of them. Pupule says: Red Raiders 40, Na Menehune 19.

Farrington (3-1-1) vs. Castle (3-2), Mililani Stadium -- Key battle in the OIA Red East for second place and a first-round bye. Pupule says: Muddy field favors Govs, 20-13.

Campbell (2-3-1, 2-3) at No. 9 Leilehua (4-3, 3-2) -- Sabers can beat just about anyone, regardless of the misleading win-loss mark. Mules, however, are a defensive cartel that is especially good on its muddy field. Pupule says: Mules 22, Sabers 19.

No. 4 Mililani (6-1, 4-1) at Radford (0-6, 0-5) -- Epa Maika had a career game last year against Mililani with 438 passing yards. However, he had more weapons then. Pupule says: Trojans 24, Rams 13.

Kaimuki (6-1, 6-0) at Nanakuli (2-5, 2-4) -- Brute strength on display here. Great competition between Kaimuki back Justin Paderes and Nanakuli's Solo Sausi. Pupule says: Bulldogs 20, Golden Hawks 14.

Kalani (0-6, 0-6) at Kaiser (5-3, 5-2) -- Battle of East Honolulu goes to the cats. Pupule says: Cougars 33, Falcons 15.

KIF
Kapaa vs. Waimea, Hanapepe Stadium -- Warriors are competitive and would be in the running for the D-II title in the MIL or BIIF. Unfortunately, they're stuck in the football-tough KIF. Pupule says: Menehunes 42, Warriors 22.

MIL
Lahainaluna vs. Maui, War Memorial Stadium -- Lunas cannot afford to look ahead to next week's game with Baldwin. Pupule says: Lunas 23, Sabers 3.

BIIF
Honokaa at Hilo -- Dragons are one of the hard-luck teams of the year, and it gets no easier against a riled-up Hilo squad. Pupule says: Viks 26, Dragons 20.

Konawaena at Kealakehe -- Rough task for the improving Wildcats. Pupule says: Waveriders 44, Wildcats 16.

Saturday's games
No. 9 Kapolei (5-2, 3-2) at No. 8 Waianae (5-2, 3-2) -- Searider defense is under pressure. Offense loses Ben McQuown for the weekend due to a baseball tourney in Arizona. Pupule says: Seariders 17, Hurricanes 14.

Pac-Five (1-5, 0-3) at No. 6 Kamehameha (2-2-1, 1-2) -- Warriors are piping hot now in their new offense. Pupule says: Warriors 25, Wolfpack 10.
Kalaheo (4-3, 2-3) vs. McKinley (0-6-1, 0-4-1) -- Tigers want to end the win drought, but the Mustangs are rested after a bye and rejuvenated. Pupule says: Mustangs 41, Tigers 34.

Anuenue (4-3, 3-3) at Waipahu (5-2, 5-1) -- Anuenue will keep it close, but depth is a Waipahu advantage. Pupule says: Marauders 33, Na Koa 26.

MIL
St. Anthony vs. Baldwin, War Memorial Stadium -- Trojans are tough, spunky and proud. Bears have tradition, but no Chase Nakamura (injury) and no Kyle Kaaihue-Kaimiola (transfer). They could've been All-State first team at WR and LB. Pupule says: Bears escape from Trojans, 23-21.

Kamehameha-Maui at King Kekaulike -- There was a time when War Memorial was the only football facility on the island. Now there are two new ones upcountry. This battle between neighbors will be rugged. Warriors are young and quickly improving; they lost to Baldwin 14-12 last week. King K is also young, and there's a lot of pride at stake. Warriors could have an emotional letdown after last week's game. Pupule says: Na Alii pull out a thriller, 14-13.

BIIF
Kamehameha-Hawaii at Kohala -- Cowboys were on a roll before last week's stunning home loss to Konawaena. Warriors are improving and closing in on a possible top seed in the D-II playoffs. Pupule says: Warriors 22, Cowboys 21.

Hawaii Prep at Ka'u -- Ka Makani are having one of their best seasons in years. Pupule says: Ka Makani 31, Trojans 14.

Keaau vs. Waiakea, Wong Stadium -- Cougars are explosive, but prone to turnovers. Pupule says: Cougars 18, Warriors 15.

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