Blog
Big games galore!




On a weekly basis, ScoringLive's "Da Five" will pose five questions revelant to the prep sports world, and get responses from five different individuals. What results will hopefully provide multiple angles of insight and analysis for fans to take in.

Week four of the prep season is a big one with six total top 10 matchups spreadout throughout Division I and Division II. Members of ScoringLive offer their thoughts on some of the headliners this weekend.

1. Name a new/improved player that adds a new dimension to their respective team that wasn’t there in 2013.

Jared Kanoa, SL all-purpose: I have to say that Saint Louis' Tua Tagovailoa is a difference maker. In addition to his amazing throwing arm, he is also mobile around the pocket. His ability to scramble helped keep key drives alive against Mililani in week one. Tagovailoa is a leader and it shows when he uses his athleticism to lengthen drives if his receivers are covered. Because of Tagovailoa’s ability, the opposing defense has to also account for him and not just the receivers and running backs. This adds another dimension to the Saint Louis offense because it takes away either a blitz backer or an extra coverage guy, opening up more options for the offense.

Michael Lasquero, SL reporter: Campbell running back Terrell Johnson gives some added beef to the Sabers’ running attack this year. The addition of Johnson should help ease in sophomore quarterback Ezra Savea. Isaac Hurd was a great quarterback for the Sabers last year, but there were moments in 2013 where it seemed like there was a lot on his shoulders. If you play back the state semifinal game against Mililani, you’ll see that the Trojan defensive line basically abandoned the middle and brought havoc on the edges. Having a legitimate running threat in between the tackles will make Campbell’s offense more balanced and harder to defend.

Shawn Sueoka, SL contributor: Kalakaua Timoteo is a force to reckon with. He has a great release off the line and the speed to pull away from defenders. He has good body control and some of the best hands in the state. On the first play from scrimmage for Mililani, this past week against Kailua, Timoteo ran down the near sideline and caught a pass from quarterback Mckenzie Milton for a 78-yard touchdown to begin the game. Timoteo adds a deep threat to the already potent Mililani offense and at 6-foot-2, along with his leaping ability, he is a great jump ball option near the goal line.

Brien Ing, SL founder: Impact guy of the year has got to be Ranan Mamiya. Looks far more explosive and downhill than he did a year ago. He’s electric in the backfield as well as in the return game, and the Govs even line him up in the slot to give opposing defenses even more to ponder.

Kalani Takase, SL reporter: Terell Johnson. The Campbell junior running back brings big time speed and durability to the Sabers' run game. In 2013, they had the luxury of Isaac Hurd at quarterback and, most of the time, didn't need much support from the running backs except to block for him. With Hurd's graduation and the arrival of sophomore Ezra Savea to take over the QB job, Johnson is a nice piece the Sabers can ride until Savea settles in.

2. Different offensive philosophies meet this weekend with Leilehua traveling to Waianae for an OIA Red Division showdown. Which offensive identity – and more importantly which team – will prevail between the two.

Kanoa: Honestly I think Waianae will prevail in this matchup because it has seen both ends of the spectrum. The Seariders have seen a dominant passing attack in Moanalua and an adequate run game with Kaiser’s Jensen McDaniel. Leilehua has not really been tested this season with blowout wins against Kailua and McKinley. This game will not be decided by offense, but by the defensive play of both teams. The Seariders will prevail because they have seen how their defense stacks up against the pass and the run, giving them time to fix the holes in their defense.

Lasquero: I think the question comes down to which team can be more like the other. Can Waianae have an adequate passing game to complement its running game, and can Leilehua have a productive running game to go along with its passing game. With explosive ball carriers in Ikaika Piceno and Randy Neverson in their stable, I give the edge to the Mules in this contest.

Sueoka: This is one of the better matchups this week and both need a win to distinguish themselves in the OIA Red division. Just looking at the game is too close to call. You have two great offenses and both have solid defenses. I think Waianae will come out victorious in this one. Quarterback Ioane Kaluhiokalani Jr. led the team to victory last week, in his first game of the year, against Kaiser and he'll look to keep it going against the Mules. Although Leilehua has two victories on the year I feel their defense have not been tested as physically as they will be on Friday. Look for a tight game between these two old OIA West teams, but I think the Seariders come out on top.

Ing: The Mules have an offensive game much like Na Menehune, who took down the Seariders in the season opening week. Pauole leads the state in passing efficiency thus far, and the run game for Leilehua upgraded at least a bit compared to the past few seasons. That being said, Waianae looks to have a nice weapon out of the backfield in Jurick Valdez, though the yards per carry average for the run game as a whole (3.7 yds per rush) is far from stellar. Mules passing game carries the visitors over the Seariders.

Takase: I like Leilehua and their wide-open spread attack. I also feel the Mules have more top-notch athletes than the Seariders, namely the trio of seniors Toma Savea, Ikaika Piceno and Randy Neverson. Leilehua has the ability to score quickly — something that Waianae has not shown yet this year — and as the past has shown, the Seariders often have difficulty catching up when playing from behind.

3. There are three top 10 Division II matchups this week (Iolani vs. Damien, Konawaena vs. KS-Hawaii, Kapaa vs Waimea). Which matchup is the most important one to win?

Kanoa: I believe the most important one to win is probably the Iolani-Damien game. That could be a preview of the ILH Division II championship game barring any late run from Pac-five. Damien is coming off a highlight opening season win against Kauai and has the talent to take the ILH crown. However, Iolani quarterback Austin Jim On is back at the helm and is poised to shine in the Raiders’ offense.

Lasquero: Friday’s ILH contest between Iolani and Damien is a must win for both teams. Barring any collapse from the Division I ILH teams, every game against a Division II opponent is crucial. Also, the regular season champion has an added advantage in the league’s postseason tournament. Even if the regular season champion were to lose in the postseason tournament, they will still have a “playoff” game with the postseason champion to determine who goes into states.

Sueoka: With the Division II being so competitive this year you definitely can't say one game is more important than another game. All three of these games need to be won by both teams. However if you had to go strictly on schedule then the Konawaena and Kamehameha Schools-Hawaii game is of great importance this week. These two teams will only play each other once and that will be it. They wouldn’t see each other again until the end of season in the playoffs. It will be essential for the Wildcats, the defending BIIF D II champions, to get off to a good start and as well for the Warriors who will be playing their first game of the 2014 season.

Ing: If Damien has any aspirations of taking that ‘next step’ the season, taking down Iolani in its opener is a must. In recent memory, the closest Damien has gotten to taking down Iolani was a 27-21 decision in 2008. The Monarchs’ win against 2013 Division II runner-up Kauai was a good confidence booster.

Takase: In my opinion, it is Kapaa-Waimea. With defending KIF champion and reigning state runner-up Kauai looking vulnerable after an 0-2 start, this is an opportunity for either the Warriors or Menehunes to get an early jump on the rest of the league.

4. To avoid starting the year off 0-3, what player or position group needs to come up big for Kapolei this week against Mililani?

Kanoa: I believe Kapolei’s receivers will have to come up big in order for Kapolei to roll out with a victory. Kapolei quarterback Alton Julius showed against Farrington that he has the arm strength and accuracy to move the ball and score touchdowns when the run game was being scouted. Another group that has to come up big is Kapolei’s defensive line and linebackers. They are going up against arguably the most dangerous one-two punch in the backfield in running back Vavae Malepeai and quarterback McKenzie Milton. Both have big play potential whenever the ball is in their hands. Kapolei has to end the run game early and force Milton to win through the air.

Lasquero: I believe the Canes’ offensive line will have to come up big for Kapolei to win Saturday. As of right now, the Mililani offense has looked like a juggernaut that is near impossible to stop. The only way really to stop them from scoring is to keep them off the field. A clock-milking run game will really help Kapolei limit the Trojans’ offense. 

Sueoka: The Blue is such a difficult division this year with the likes of Farrington, Mililani, Moanalua & Campbell… Oh wait that's Kapolei’s first five games with the addition of Kahuku. It's a no brainer that Kapolei has the toughest schedule along with St. Louis to begin the year. But coach Darren Hernandez and his squad won't make excuses. Offensively I think the hurricanes are right where they want to be. It's the defense that needs to pick it up. In their two losses so far they have allowed 200 plus yards on the ground to both the Red Raiders and Govs. It will start up front with the defensive line. They will need to get a good push into the backfield to disrupt the run and keep Mililani's quarterback McKenzie Milton in the pocket. 

Ing: Kapolei put themselves in a position to win a week ago against Farrington with some fairly solid play on defense, trickery via play action for big plays through the air and showed some real promise in the return game. Against Mililani, I think an overall team effort is going to be in order again, but I’ll suggest that Panaewa Julius is a guy that needs to step up. Making the correct reads and the proper throws against the Trojans will keep the defense from keying in on the Hurricanes’ ground game.

Takase: Defensive ends. Mililani running back Vavae Malepeai will likely get near or surpass the 100-yard mark — as he has done in 13 of his 18 career varsity games — but Kapolei will have to deny quarterback McKenzie Milton any big downfield runs, especially on third-down situations, to keep the potent Trojan offense from racking up huge points and give the Hurricanes a chance to winSaturday night. If the defensive ends can keep Milton contained in the pocket and force him to throw the ball instead, it could save Kapolei defensive coordinator Brad Hewahewa and head coach Darren Hernandez some headaches.

5. Punahou makes its season debut against Saint Louis this Friday. What/Who are you looking forward to the most in the reigning state champions' opener?

Kanoa: I am looking forward to seeing Punahou running back Wayne Taulapapa. His sophomore campaign ended with a dominant showing in the 2013 state tournament where he took over games on the ground. With his flamboyant numbers in his sophomore year, we can only dream of what a full year of training can do for this very young and talented junior running back.

Lasquero: A lot of eyes will be on defensive lineman Canton Kaumatule, but I am more actually interested in the guys behind him. Punahou has arguably the best linebacker corps in the state with guys like Ronley Lakalaka, Saitui Moea'i and Kalama Chung all back for their senior seasons. Punahou runs a 3-4 defense that has its linebackers doing creative stuff to disguise blitzes and coverages.

Sueoka: We know what we’re going to get from Punahou a balance offense with an outstanding defense that is only going to be better with the addition of former Kahuku head coach Reggie Torres to that side of the ball. SL All-Hawaii receiver Kanawai Noa and Junior running back Wayne Taulapapa return to lead the offense, but who will replace the offensive player of the year and USC Trojan Tui Tuileta at quarterback? Three inexperienced quarterbacks battled over the summer and for the first time in three years the Buffanblu will have a new signal caller.

Ing: While there is probably a lot of anticipation to see what Ephraim Tuliloa will do at quarterback, I’m looking forward to seeing what the Buffanblu defense will bring to the table in 2014. With no shortage of offense amongst the elite teams in D1 thus far, it seems that what a team can do defensively is of particular importance.

Takase: Kanawai Noa. The senior wide receiver has put up prolific numbers in his first two varsity seasons at Punahou and I don't think many will argue that he has proved to be one of the top receivers, if not the best, in the state. Noa has an uncanny ability to set-up opposing defensive backs and has the speed to get by them, while also showing great adjustment to balls in the air. You can be assured that Noa will get his share of looks from first-year starting quarterback Ephraim Tuliloa Friday night.





Show your support

Every contribution, no matter the size, will help ScoringLive continue its mission to provide the best and most comprehensive coverage of high school sports in the state of Hawaii and beyond.

Please consider making a contribution today.

ADVERTISEMENT


MORE STORIES

Radford wins on walk-off wild pitch to turn back Kalaheo

Mataio Tauanuu batted 4-for-4 and scored the game-winning run in back-and-forth game for the Rams.

Punahou continues unbeaten streak, hands Kamehameha second straight loss

Third-ranked Warriors suffered consecutive losses in the regular season for the first time since 2017.

No. 4 Iolani rallies to hand No. 1 Kamehameha first ILH loss

Ethan Akagi and CJ Taira scored the winning runs for the Raiders off a wild pitch to hand the top-ranked...

Punahou pulls away from PAC-5 to notch first ILH win

The Buffanblu ended a five-game skid and broke into the win column to keep the Wolfpack winless in the...

Kalani's Nishigaya headlines All-OIA East selections

Forward/midfielder Kaiulani Nishigaya helped lift Falcons to first-ever league title; Kaiser's Noelani...

Trojans' Fuamatu-Maafala leads All-OIA West picks

Mililani's Iai Fuamatu-Maafala named Player of the Year; Campbell's James Curran named coach of the year.