Three of our panelists feel that Saint Louis QB Tua Tagovailoa is carrying his team to success. John Lujan | SL

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

In this week's installment, our panelists provide their thoughts on Kahuku's loss to Bishop Gorman, which team's mid-season adjustment has turned its season around, the key matchup between Farrington and Kapolei, and much more.

1. What did we learn from Kahuku's loss to Bishop Gorman?

Brandon Ching, SL reporter: Kahuku was able to move the ball against the Gaels, but the running game became too one-dimensional and that hurt the Red Raiders when they were down a couple scores. I was hoping to see Sol-Jay Maiava throw it around and see what he can do, but I didn't get the impression the coaching the staff was going to make adjustments and was content with running the ball. The ground-and-pound works here in Hawaii because no one can stop it, but against a very good team like Bishop Gorman, where they have the size and athletes, it almost became too predictable and easy to stop. Defensively the Red Raiders held their own, but they had too many missed tackles that led to big gains and scoring plays. Regardless of the outcome, it's always a great experience to get off island and to face a different type of challenge to see where they stack up against other nationally-ranked schools.

Jordan Helle, ESPN Radio Maui/OC16: That Kahuku belongs with the best teams and programs in the country. Sure Gorman won the game handily, and Kahuku's offense wasn't able to pound the ball like usual, but man for man, and particularly defensively, Kahuku definitely belonged on that field. Kahuku is a top 25 to 30 team in the nation, and that was evident with the way Kahuku was able to make it difficult on Gorman for the majority of the game. Also, and this is something that we knew, but a lot of the country learned: Red Raider Nation is second to none. The amount of support at that game and all week in Vegas was world-class.  

Michael Lasquero, SL reporter: That the talent level of Hawaii can hang with the rest of the country. You had the best from the state take on a team stocked full with some of the best players in the nation. I think a super team filled with all of the best players at their positions from Hawaii would do very well against an all-star team from the mainland. Speaking of which, there used to be an annual Hawaii vs. Mainland all-star game at Aloha Stadium that ended about six or seven years ago. With the amount of Hawaii-born players that have produced on the collegiate level since then, I think it's time we revisit that idea.

Gary Dickman, ESPN 1420 Radio: Seeing how Kahuku lost 35-7 to Bishop Gorman, I can tell that Bishop Gorman is really good and as good as advertised. I don't think it diminishes anything Kahuku has accomplished over the last two years. I think if that was played on the North Shore, the score would have been different. It's hard to have a high school team travel that far and judge them the same as the team that stayed at home. Again, Gorman is really good, but I'd love to see the game played at a neutral site or here in Hawaii next time.

Kalani Takase, SL reporter: That these "schools" that attract prep football stars from across the country are on a different level than the run-of-the-mill local schools — even those as storied as Kahuku. Let's call a spade a spade: Bishop Gorman football is essentially like Oak Hill basketball: an athletic factory where academics is secondary. Is it good for prep sports? Personally, I don't think so. I remember the last time Oak Hill participated in the Iolani Classic and one of their staff members gave the media members in attendance a team media guide that had numerous advertisements (including a big Gatorade one on the back cover) throughout it. I was surprised, to say the least. I won't harp on Kahuku's loss one bit because it faced a team that was closer to a college program than a high school squad. Kudos to the Red Raiders for representing Hawaii well. 

2. Which player of position group is carrying their team to success?

Ching: Tua Tagovailoa is carrying Saint Louis and he is the Crusaders' offense. He's able to find receivers downfield and when the pocket collapses, he can scramble and gain yards. Also, younger brother Taulia Tagovailoa is Kapolei's guy and he helps the offense move the ball down field to all these different receivers. For teams like Farrington, Waianae and Kahuku, they have some good running back and they are deep enough to give players good reps and carries depending on the situation. Kahuku's defense hasn't allowed a point in the past three games on Oahu and it can carry the team to victory and make life miserable for opposing offenses.

Helle: Campbell's defense. The Sabers' "D" came up huge in their highly important victory over Moanalua to move Campbell into third place in the OIA Division I-Blue. Holding Na Menehune, who was averaging over 28 points per game, to just six points through four quarters and two overtime periods is big time. Campbell's defense also came up with the decisive score against Aiea early in the season. The Sabers' two most critical wins, which may just have earned them third place in the Blue at the end of the year, have been spearheaded by that defense.

Lasquero: I really like Damien quarterback Marcus Faufata-Pedrina. As stellar as Tua Tagovailoa has been for the Saint Louis offense, I think Faufata-Pedrina means more to the success of the Monarchs. The junior signal-caller is undersized at 5-foot-8, but he makes up for it with his competitive nature. He is also a sound decision maker, having thrown just one interception since Damien's season-opening loss to Moanalua. Campbell's defense also deserves some love as it has has forced multiple turnovers in all of the Sabers' regular season games.

Dickman: This should be easy, but there are two answers as to what player or position group is carrying their team to success. Quarterbacks is the first answer, and the two that stand out are brother Tua and Taulia Tagovailoa. They are the main reasons why Saint Louis and Kapolei are so successful. We knew how great Tua was going into this season, and I knew Taulia was good last year, but he's surpassed my expectations this season. Taulia has had a great season, and having June Jones as his offensive coordinator has definitely helped him get better. But I also have to include Kahuku's defense. The Red Raiders' defense have dominated everybody in Hawaii for two years on this incredible run. I know their offense is good, but the Red Raiders' defense is the reason they won the state championship last year and are the favorites to repeat this season.

Takase: I'm going to go with the obvious answer in Saint Louis quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The Crusaders are unbeaten at 4-0 (3-0 in the ILH) and Tagovailoa is a big reason why. His 1,211 passing yards only ranks him fifth in D1, but look closer and you'll see the Alabama-commit has thrown 13 touchdowns and zero interceptions. Whatsmore, he's run for 257 yards (6.9 per carry) and five touchdowns on the year. Against Punahou two weeks ago, Tagovailoa put up a phenomenal performance, throwing for 447 yards and six TDs on 31-of-42 passing and rushing for 104 yards and three more scores on 15 carries. 

3. Which team's mid-season adjustment has helped turn the season around?

Ching: Leilehua seems to have turned it around after posting two straight wins and it looks like its offense is putting it together. Around this time is a good time to get hot since the postseason is couple of weeks away and a team like Leilehua needs all the momentum it can get heading into the final stretch. The Mules have a bye this week and next week they will be put to the test against Mililani.

Helle: Lahainaluna's QB rotation has jumpstarted its offense, and helped the Lunas secure the MIL Division II first round title. Early in the season the Lunas' offense struggled in losses to Kapaa and Maui High. Since then, the Lunas have rotated signal callers and moved the ball with great success. It's allowed them to throw four different looks at teams, and the Lunas have been able to rotate between looks seamlessly. The Lunas come at you with under-center Wing-T, fly motion looks and the counter-run game out of the shotgun, while also mixing in Wildcat looks. Shuffling quarterbacks isn't usually a recipe for success, but the Lunas have now put up at least 27 points in their last three games.

Lasquero: I don't think it turned the season around per se, but I like how how Baldwin has made the switch to be a more run-heavy team. Our stats on the Bears are incomplete, but they are currently averaging 250 yards on the ground per game. It's clear that Baldwin has some guys on the offensive line that can move mountains, and as any coach will tell you, the battle is won in the trenches. I think this unheralded coaching move will pay dividends in the Division I state tournament without the powerhouses of Oahu standing in the Bears' way. 

Dickman: As far a team turning their season around, it's kind of hard. All of the great teams have continued what they started. I'm going to go with Leilehua, who in its first three games let up an average of 54 points a game. But in the Mules' last four games, they have cut that down to only letting up only 15 points a game, a 39-point differential. I'm not sure what they did specifically on defense, but they fixed their problems and have now won three out of four, and are playing their best football at the right time of the year.

Takase: Leilehua. The Mules have won three of their last four games after a rough 0-3 start to the season with lopsided losses against powerhouses Punahou (70-9), Kahuku (49-15) and Kapolei (44-13). Since then, Leilehua has allowed an average of just under 12.8 points per game and no more than 19 in a 12-point loss to Farrington. In their three victories, the Mules have averaged 42 points, including a season-high 48-point output at Nanakuli on Aug. 27. Kaleoaloha Piceno, who was the team's top receiver coming into the year, has shifted over to running back and helped established a much-needed ground game. Piceno has 20 carries for 161 yards and two touchdowns in his last two games. 

4. What will be the deciding factor between Farrington and Kapolei?

Ching: I would say limiting penalties. Both teams commit a lot of penalties based on what I seen and those things can either kill drives and it could give the other team life. Farrington's secondary is active with good athletes in that area. They will be tested against Kapolei's offense. Jaymin Sarono has been the guy, but other receivers shown that they can step up and make big gains so it's difficult to key in on one particular receiver. Kapolei's defensive line and front will be tested against the Govs' O-line and that battle in the trenches will be important.

Helle: Can Farrington's defense force turnovers. The Govs' defense has been prolific in forcing turnovers, particularly interceptions. Kapolei's offense has done a really good job of taking care of the football. Farrington typically has a physical and athletic defense, and if it can force some turnovers and gain some extra possessions for their power run game to go to work, they Govs will be right in this game. Kapolei may gain some solid yardage on offense, but how deep those drives end will decide this game. Will Kapolei convert drives into scores, or will Farrington take the ball away?

Lasquero: I kind of touched upon it on the last question, but the winner between in this game will be the one that controls the line of scrimmage. Both teams have dynamic offense, which they wouldn't be able to accomplish without a strong offensive line. When I seen Kapolei early in the season, QB Taulia Tagovailoa got hit on quite a handful of his drop backs, not to mention getting sacked on his first snap of the year. Star Farrington RB Challen Faamatau can dance around defenses, but his shiftiness is a lot more effective down the field than behind the line of scrimmage. The team that can dominate the trenches without sending extra guys will win this game. 

Dickman: The key in this great matchup of Farrington between Kapolei is simple: which defense can stop the strengths of the other's offense? Can Farrington stop the massing attack of Kapolei with Taulia Tagovailoa? Or can Kapolei stop the powerful running game of Farrington, led by Challen Faamatau, who I see as the best running back in the state. Kapolei might run the ball as much as Farrington passes, both of which will be in single digits.

Takase: I think a big factor in this one will be if Farrington can eat up the clock and keep Kapolei and its star quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa on the sidelines. Both defenses appear pretty stout on paper, but I give the edge on offense to the Hurricanes, who have posted 34-or-more points in all five of their wins this season. This should be a fun one to watch. Keep your eyes on the offensive standouts on both sides: running back Challen Faamatau for Farrington and slotback Jaymin Sarono for Kapolei. 

5. What was the most entertaining game that you have watched this year?

Ching: Easily it has to be the Punahou-Saint Louis game on Sept. 9 when the game combined for 108 points and over 1,000 yards of total offense. Punahou was up that game going into halftime and Saint Louis couldn't really stop the Buffanblu in the first half. However, watching Tua Tagovailoa rally his team as they went up big was amazing to see. It's not often you watch player that accounts for nine total touchdowns. That was one of the single most impressive performance that I've seen in all my years covering football.

Helle: I got to cover a wild and exciting game last weekend between Aiea and Kaiser. It wasn't the cleanest of games from an execution standpoint, and it ended up being a 16-point Aiea win. However, it featured big plays and four defensive touchdowns, including three by the Cougars to account for all of their scoring.

Lasquero: Saint Louis and Punahou might be the safe-bet answer, but I thought the air and excitement was taken out by the fourth quarter. As far as being entertained, I'd say Konawaena's non-league matchup with Saint Francis was one that went down to the wire. OK, I'll admit I might be a little biased because I broadcasted that game with Shawn Sueoka, but it was a fun matchup to call between two contenders in Division II. The parity and balance in Division II is incredible, something you don't see much of on the Division I level. With teams from all five leagues in the state making a case to win the D2 state title this year, it almost feels like watching the college football rankings with teams from multiple leagues taking over the top spots in the list. With the OIA starting its season so early and having only one non-league game, which usually ends up being the first game of the year when key players are out, these cross-league games that are potential state tournament matchups are a treat to watch.

Dickman: The most entertaining game I've seen this year is easy, Sept. 9 when Saint Louis beat Punahou 64-44. What a game! I thought Punahou might win and were the bette team for two and a half quarters. Then I got to witness a record-setting performance by who else, Tua Tagovailoa. I've seen Tagovailoa in person 10 to 12 times in his career, and this was the best I've seen him. It's not just his passing, which he's the best in the state, not just his running, but also his elusiveness and his decision making. I love it all and I felt bad for Punahou. They're a really good team, they were a little depleted with injuries and quarterback Nick Kapule passed for 495 yards, more than Tagovailoa's 447. Both teams played great and deserved to win. It was a great game and I'm glad penalties didn't come into play too much. I might have to change my answer when these two teams play again next week so stay tuned.

Takase: Well, considering I was just gone for nearly three weeks (thanks again for granting the leave, Boss, and Michael Lasquero for covering for me), I don't have much to choose from. I didn't actually see Konawaena-Saint Francis live, but I did catch parts of it thanks for the livestream, and that was certainly a fun one, especially down the stretch. I think the closest game I've covered this year — at least, in terms of final margin of victory — was Farrington-Mililani back on Aug. 27. The Trojans held a narrow 7-6 lead at halftime and went up 24-14 midway through the fourth quarter before withstanding a furious Govs' rally in the final minutes.