HondaReport.com

Pigskin Prognostications are positively pupule

By Paul Honda

Editor

HondaReport.com

Friday, Aug. 27, 2004

HONOLULU—Between the lines, last weekend’s opening lineup of football action revealed as much about this season’s teams as it did about fans’ expectations.

There are high-profile teams like Kahuku, which lost at Skyline (Utah), 27-8, or Saint Louis, which visited Nanakuli and won 61-7. Just a few months ago, there was talk of the Kahuku-Skyline being televised. As it turns out, staying off the airwaves was probably the best decision for all parties considering the game’s result.

Saint Louis plays at Nanakuli every August. Nanakuli principal Levi Chang is father to former Crusader great Tim Chang, which provides one connection between the two schools. Nanakuli has the girth to absorb the annual matchup with the state’s most decorated prep program, and playing one of the best is a fine way to raise the bar of excellence.

Then, there are battles between family members, so to speak. Kamehameha-Hawai’i (Big Island) edged Kamehameha-Maui, 17-14, in the debut for both campuses. And who can ignore Kalani’s 21-19 win over Roosevelt, the first win in three years for the Falcons.

Here’s a look at this weekend’s matchups, all according to the Pupule Crystal Ball …

Friday, Aug. 27

No. 9 Waimea (1-0) @ Hilo (0-0), Dr. Francis Wong Stadium (non-conference)

On Paper: Waimea won 10 KIF titles in a row before Kaua’i captured the crown last year. Hilo is an annual championship contender in the BIIF.

The Skinny: The Menehune opened with a 28-14 win over Hawai’i Prep. Hilo, which relies heavily on a power running game, usually has a lot of top athletes on defense. If it rains in Hilo, as it does from time to time, the Vikings’ chances improve significantly.

Pupule’s Crystal Ball: Waimea 21, Hilo 14.

San Clemente (Calif.) @ Kaua’i (0-1), Vidinha Stadium (non-conference)

On Paper: Both teams are high competitive. Kaua’i Kekoa Crowell is the top prospect in the state at quarterback. He is the only senior quarterback, at this point, that the University of Hawai’i is seriously considering.

The Skinny: The Red Raiders took their lumps last week at Punahou, 35-12. Replacing key losses on defense—at the tackles, Sam ‘backer and safety—are huge concerns for Kaua’i. They’ll be bombarded tonight by a good squad from San Clemente.

Pupule Crystal Ball: Being home and being a week older helps the Red Raiders in an upset win, 26-21.

No. 5 Punahou (1-0) vs. Farrington (0-1) @ Kamehameha/Kunuiakea Stadium, 7:30 p.m. (non-conference)

On Paper: This season, the Buffanblu have the size to contend with programs like Farrington’s. The offensive line controlled the tempo in the one-sided win over Kaua’i. Farrington, meanwhile, fell to another ILH team, Iolani, 24-7.

The Skinny: Punahou’s Run & Shoot is alive and well despite key losses (quarterback, running back) thanks in large part to the O-line. Farrington’s West Coast offense gets another big test.

Pupule Crystal Ball: Buffanblu open it up in the second half for a 28-14 win.

Damien (0-0) vs. Castle (1-0) @ Kailua Stadium, 7:30 p.m. (non-conference)

On Paper: Boy, oh boy, the cupboard at Damien cleared out good when their stalwart class of seniors graduated. Can the Monarchs keep the momentum going? Apparently so. There’s still some size, and now, a tradition thanks to last year’s climb to the Division II state title game. Castle, of course, has a program that is the envy of many coaches.

The Skinny: Castle was under the radar last week, rolling over Waipahu, 49-6. Despite a returning starter at quarterback and one of the state’s top linebackers (Blaze Soares), voters in the HondaReport.com Top Ten hesitated when it came to the Knights, who are ranked 11th. Damien has yet to play a game.

Pupule Crystal Ball: Knights outlast Monarchs, 31-14.

Pac-Five (1-0) vs. Kaimuki (0-1) @ Kaiser Stadium, 7:30 p.m. (non-conference)

On Paper: The Wolfpack opened with a 27-26 win over McKinley. Now they’ll face another team that is filling holes and is short on depth.

The Skinny: Until the Bulldogs get more of their top guns back—three two-way starters are out until academic probation is over—it will be a daunting challenge to stay fresh in the second half.

Pupule Crystal Ball: Pac-Five 29, Kaimuki 13.

‘Aiea (1-0) @ No. 4 Mililani (1-0), 7 p.m. (OC16)

On Paper: Na Ali’i have the attention of the entire Red West, but they’re far from peaking this early in the season. While ‘Aiea struggled past White Conference member Kaiser, 20-14, Mililani was impressive in a 41-0 win over Kaimuki.

The Skinny: Mililani has a potent 1-2 combination of a ground game with a committee of speedy backs, along with the experienced leadership of quarterback Maka Kahoano. ‘Aiea passer Kali Kuia sustained an injury against Kaiser and sat much of the game. He passed for more than 2,000 yards last season—in the White Conference.

Pupule Crystal Ball: If there’s a time to catch Mililani, it’s early in the season. The Trojans, however, will be well prepared. Mililani 32, ‘Aiea 20.

Leilehua (1-0) @ Wai’anae (1-0)

On Paper: The visiting Mules are quicker and faster than last year’s squad. Wai’anae barely got past Campbell, 2-0, last week, while Leilehua throttled Radford, 35-3.

The Skinny: The changeover at the top won’t result in a dropoff for the Mules because the new coach is former JV head coach Nolan Tokuda. The feisty, uptempo-oriented Tokuda doesn’t mince words and expects a whole lot from his talented squad. Wai’anae, meanwhile, is trying to open up its offense.

Pupule Crystal Ball: Raymond Torii Field is one of the most difficult sites for any visiting team to win at. The Mules may have more speed and explosiveness, but learning how to win at the varsity level—Tokuda’s JV teams were 17-4 in two seasons—may take some time. Leilehua 27, Wai’anae 26.

Pearl City (1-0) @ Nanakuli (0-1)

On Paper: The Chargers are smaller, and depth remains an annual problem.

The Skinny: The Golden Hawks have size and will run the clock with its veer option attack. Matching Pearl City’s innovative offense and speed will be an issue.

Pupule Crystal Ball: This will come down to three or four pivotal plays, and the speedier team will prevail. Pearl City 21, Nanakuli 14.

Maui (1-0) vs. Kamehameha-Maui (0-1) @ War Memorial Stadium, Wailuku, 7:30 p.m.

On Paper: The Sabers are bigger, stronger, faster … which is par for the course when they’re a year older. KS-Maui’s oldest players, of course, are only juniors.

The Skinny: Someday, KS-Maui will be on a competitive playing field with MIL powerhouses like Baldwin and Maui. As the league expands, talent spreads out more and more, as it did when King Kekaulike opened. That took a lot of potential linemen—many from Upcountry Maui—away from Maui.

Pupule Crystal Ball: Sabers do it on special teams for a 24-7 win.

Saturday, Aug. 28

No. 1 Saint Louis (1-0) vs. No. 2 Kahuku (0-1) @ Aloha Stadium, 7:30 p.m. (non-conference)

On Paper: The game of the year. Well, until the state tournament, anyway. That’s how it goes when two teams from last year’s state championship meet again.

The Skinny: Kahuku has key changes, particularly at quarterback. Learning the offense isn’t so simple. Kahuku loves to air the ball early in the season. Will the Red Raiders tone it down and keep things simple? They can always revert to I-formation smashball and take advantage of their mammoth linemen and backs. Saint Louis, of course, has a quarterback who has seen plenty of playing time: Stan Nihipali.

Pupule Crystal Ball: Crusaders come through on special teams for a 30-22 win.

Kwansei (Japan) @ Hawai’i Prep (0-1), 2 p.m. (non-conference)

On Paper: Kwansei’s last visit to Hawai’i resulted in a 26-0 victory over Konawaena more than a decade ago. Kwansei’s staff is well-versed in the West Coast offense; the head coach in the ‘90s was instructed by none other than the best: Bill Walsh.

The Skinny: HPA is searching for new stoppers on defense and a go-to back since Mike Kopra was injured in a 28-14 loss at Waimea last week.

Pupule Crystal Ball: Kwansei in a thriller, 28-21.

Kapa’a (1-0) @ Lahainaluna (1-0), noon (non-conference)

On Paper: The Lunas were extremely young last year, and could contend for the title as soon as this fall. Kapa’a, ground-oriented team, will face a stingy defense.

The Skinny: Kapa’a edged Waialua, 13-7, last week, while Lahainaluna went to Kealakehe and won, 28-19, against the defending BIIF champion.

Pupule Crystal Ball: Lunas 34, Warriors 14.

McKinley (0-1) @ No. 8 Iolani (1-0), 1 p.m. (non-conference)

On Paper: Kiran Kepo’o passed for more than 360 yards last week in his first season as the established starter at quarterback for the Raiders. The Tigers haven’t quite seen anyone like Kepo’o in preseason yet.

The Skinny: McKinley gave Pac-Five a good game before losing by a point last week. Whether the Tigers can stop the smaller, but quick Raiders will be another good test.

Pupule Crystal Ball: Iolani 24, McKinley 20.

No. 3 Kamehameha-O’ahu (0-0-1) vs. No. 6 Kailua (1-0), 4 p.m. @ Aloha Stadium

On Paper: Both teams have a wealth of talent, though Kanani Souza has more high school coaching experience than his first-year counterpart at Kailua.

The Skinny: Kamehameha’s offense shows a spark now and then, but was basically conservative in a 14-all tie with Baldwin last week. Kailua rallied from a 20-point deficit to edge Kapolei, 27-20. If the Surfriders take a lead into the final quarter, they can rely on running backs Damien Torres and Kekoa Sua to carry the load. Parker Bode showed some flair out of Kamehameha’s final-minute shotgun attack, particularly on connections with nimble receiver Aaron Nichols.

Pupule Crystal Ball: Kamehameha-O’ahu in a squeaker, 27-26.

Ka’u (0-0) vs. Pac-Three (0-0) @ War Memorial Stadium, Wailuku, 7 p.m. (non-conference)

On Paper: The Tritons of Pac-Three are as thin as they come in the MIL, but they’ve never seen the likes of Ka’u, not in some time. The visiting Trojans barely have enough numbers to field at team.

The Skinny: The game should be competitive for a half before fatigue hits the Trojans.

Pupule Crystal Ball: Pac-Three 28, Ka’u 7.

No. 7 Baldwin (0-0-1) @ King Kekaulike (1-0), 7:30 p.m.

On Paper: This will probably be the most fiercely contested game in the state this weekend, particularly because it is a regular-season game between two MIL title contenders.

The Skinny: Playing at home could be a plus for Na Ali’i if they manage to move the ball on the ground. Otherwise, they’ll get caught up in a scoring fest with Kalehua Moniz and his fleet-footed corps of receivers. Moniz passed for 262 yards last week at Kamehameha-O’ahu.

Pupule Crystal Ball: The Bears have too much defense and too much precision offensively for King K in a 33-19 win.