Pupule recap
Posted at 1:36 AM

Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009
A look at yesterday's picks, plus a fresh new batch of prognostications for tonight's matchups.

Saint Louis at Waianae. Pupule's prediction: SL 14-7. Actual score: SL 48, Waianae 35. The Seariders kept it close, as I expected, despite a rough start. But 93 total points? WOW.

Hilo at Kamehameha. Pupule's prediction: KS 29-7. Actual score: KS 44-3.

Castle at Pearl City. Pupule's prediction: Castle 34-27. Actual score: Castle 37-7.

Radford at Leilehua. Pupule's prediction: Leilehua 31-14. Actual score: Mules 23-20. Rams have athletes, but I didn't know if they'd have the depth to stay fresh against Andrew Manley's torrent of passes. They picked him off twice.

Mililani at Moanalua. Pupule's prediction: Mililani 24-10. Actual score: Mililani 16-3.

Farrington at Campbell. Pupule's prediction: Farrington 28-17. Actual score: Govs 20-14. Sabers truly belong in D-I and the switch (with Pearl City) out of the White Conference was an excellent decision by Campbell. They can clearly hang with the OIA's upper echelon.

Saturday's matchups
Kailua vs. Baldwin, War Memorial Stadium. Baldwin is probably the 11th best team in the state, but has the potential to rise much higher. Lot of question marks right now, but they'll have time to develop new players at new positions. Just don't expect the storm of aerial glory that Jordan Helle and his crew gave. Pupule says: Bears 31, Surfriders 17.

Kealakehe vs. Kahuku, Castle field. The Red Raiders are focused and steady defensively while the offense (like Waianae) opens up a whole new chapter. Kealakehe may be the best in the BIIF (Keaau might like to question that), but has never fared well against Oahu powerhouses.

Kaiser vs. 'Iolani. The nightcap of the Father Bray Classic might be interesting. Kaiser has athletes, but lacks great depth ... sort of like the Raiders! The difference might be Jarrett Arakawa, 'Iolani's ace in the pocket. Or it could be nose tackle Sealii Epenesa. Pupule says: Raiders 34, Cougars 23.

Pac-Five vs. Kaimuki. This is the opener of the Father Bray, could be interesting. Kaimuki has been embroiled in some issues, to say the least, early in preseason. Pac-Five, meanwhile, has a great combo in QB P.J. Minaya and SB Darin Kamealoha. Historically, ILH teams have the edge in these early matchups. Part of that is due to more reps; private schools start a week or two later than DOE schools. Pupule says: Wolfpack 33-21.

Keaau at Waipahu. The Cougars are always athletic, but haven't gotten over the hump as an elite BIIF program just yet. Waipahu lost key players to graduation, including super back Troy Matautia, but has a disciplined, precise option attack. Pupule says: Marauders 27, Cougars 22.

Kamehameha-Hawaii at Kapolei. Tough test for the visiting Warriors, but a good challenge to start the year with. Kapolei has a truckload of talent plus strong-armed passer Noah Pascua. Pupule says: Hurricanes 29, Warriors 14.

Waialua at Konawaena. Might be the most entertaining, most intense game of the night. Konawaena didn't schedule this game and expected to go light in preseason. Waialua lost a matchup with Ka'u (cancelled), so Konawaena filled in. The Bulldogs have some college D-I talent, while the Wildcats are coming off a strong year that was marred by the theft of jerseys by a graduating player. So much weirdness, but this is one way to clean the slate and make some new history. Pupule says: Wildcats 24, 'Dogs 22.

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