Can't help but think about Waianae's season. Ups. Downs. Heroic play. Disappointing defeats. Quite a memorable season. They've won some and lost some, but above all, the Seariders have done it Waianae style. Hard-nosed, smashmouth football ... with discipline. Paleolithic in age. Simplicity over style. As powerful as a George Foreman uppercut.

Friday, Nov. 7
BIIF
Waiakea vs. Hilo, Wong Stadium. Waiakea won the first matchup. Hilo wins the second? Pupule says: Warriors in a shootout over the Viks, 33-31. (If it rains, 7-6.)

Kealakehe at Honokaa. Dragons are hurting and could spoil Kealakehe's momentum. Waveriders have the BIIF's D-I title wrapped up. They just want to escape without injury. All the elements of an upset special are in play. Pupule says: Dragons 15, Waveriders 14.

Ka‘u at Kohala. A 132-mile drive should end with a hearty dinner, great dessert and a good night's sleep. Instead, the Trojans will play against the Cowboys, then turn around for a 3-hour drive home. Pupule says: Kohala 34, Ka‘u 8.

Konawaena at Kamehameha-Hawaii. Warriors are dangerous and the Wildcats are wounded. Don't underestimate the effects of a 119-mile drive from Kealakekua to Keaau on a school day at the end of a school week. Pupule says: Wildcats 26, Warriors 21.

MIL
St. Anthony vs. Lahainaluna, War Memorial Stadium. The Lunas are one of the state's steadiest programs. You've got grandfathers who retain discipline, kids who buy into the simplicity of obedience, and one of the winningest teams of the past two decades statewide. I know winningest is not a real word. You know what I mean. Pupule says: Lunas 44, Trojans 3.

OIA Red
Kahuku vs. Farrington. This is a chance for the Governors to seize the day. Carpe diem. Of course, in so many previous battles, when all things seemed even enough on scale, Kahuku found a way to impeach the Governors. Both teams are dinged up. Both have remarkable running back/placekickers (Apelu So‘oalo of Farrington, St. John Lessary III of Kahuku). Fierce defenses. Solid ground games. Stellar offensive lines. Terrific defensive playmakers. The X Factor is Farrington's passing game. Kahuku has yet to develop a consistent air attack (and hasn't needed one). That could come into play if the Govs have a lead in the fourth quarter. Pupule says: Upset Special #2, Govs hang on for a 17-14 win.

Division II
Campbell vs. Radford. Rams know how to win in different ways. Sabers know how to to win one way: by lethal air attack. This time, the trigger man (Lalo Respicio) is healthy and able. Pupule says: Ewa Beach Air Patrol 34, Pearl Harbor Midshipmen 20.

Saturday, Nov. 8
ILH
Pac-Five at Iolani. Should be closer than last time since Darren Kamealoha will be healthy for the Wolfpack. Pupule says: Raiders 27, 'Pack 21.

Word of Life vs. Damien, Aloha Stadium. Could be real close. Firebrands aren't deep, but showing plenty of grit late in the season. Pupule says: Monarchs 33, Firebrands 19.

Kamehameha vs. Punahou, Aloha Stadium. Edmund Kamano Jr. passed for almost 300 yards last week against Saint Louis. Cayman Shutter is as healthy as he'll be since that preseason shoulder injury. This game could go into TILT mode on the stadium Jumbotron. Pupule says: Buffanblu rally past Warriors, 51-45.

MIL
Baldwin at King Kekaulike. Bears are ripe for the picking against a team that is still angsty (yeah, I made up another word) and hungry for this rematch. Baldwin has the D-I title clinched. Pupule says: Upset Special No. 3 -- Na Alii 33, Bears 29.

Maui vs. Kamehameha-Maui, War Memorial Stadium. Sabers keep improving, but the Warriors are explosive. Pupule says: KS-Maui 38, Maui 14.

OIA Red
Waianae at Leilehua. Both teams have been entrenched in the state tournament for years, but one will not be there this fall. Waianae needs another dominant performance at the line of scrimmage, but beating the Mules twice on the mushy turf of Hugh Yoshida Stadium in one season is almost impossible. The Mules find ways to expose opposing weaknesses. Pupule says: Leilehua 34, Waianae 27.

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