Crystal Ball-Ing: Pondering the HHSAA football first round

Leilehua and Roosevelt goes off island this weekend to take on Baldwin and Kamehameha-Hawaii respectively. Michael Lasquero | SL

It has been a minute since I've posted something "bloggy," but with a bit of breathing room before the start of the state football play, thought it was a good chance to bust out the crystal ball again.

First off though, I wanted to thank you all for contuining to support ScoringLive as your source for high school sports. You likely experienced what-the-heck moments in the opening weeks of the football season, when our servers were operating at a much less than desireable output. Trust me when I say that it was just as frustrating for me as it was you.

Hopefully you've noticed the difference laely, as we recently completed a pretty extensive overhaul of our backend system architecture, and I for one feel so much better now that our site is running how it should be again.

Anyway, on to the ponderings for the opening round games.

Leilehua vs. Baldwin at War Memorial - Nov 15, 5:30 p.m.

The Bears posted a 5-3 league record en route to an MIL league title, but ultimately allowed more points per game (21.6) than they put up on the scoreboard (20.9). Leilehua lost only two games all season, both to Na Menehune, and by a combined 5 points. A heartbreaking overtime outcome in the OIA D1 title game by the Mules should serve as motivation.

QB Laa Asuega-Stark has carried Baldwin all year offensively, throwing for 11 TDs and rushing for four more. His production is vital to the Bears having any chance at a victory. The Mules have a bevy of pass catchers at QB Kekoa Turangan's disposal as well as a run game more than serviceable enough to keep defenses off balance. Ultimately, the Mules have the edge in just about every facet and should win fairly comfortably.

Prediction: Leilehua 49 - Baldwin 10

Roosevelt at Kamehameha-Hawaii - Nov. 16, 7 p.m.

The Rough Riders came up just short of a league title, and should head into the first round of the tourney eager to wash away the disappointment of a walk-off loss with a resounding win on the gridrion. Kamehameha-Hawaii went undefeated in BIIF play, and all three of its non-league losses came at the hands of state qualifying teams, but a 47-0 loss to D2 second seed Kapaa does stick out.

Playing at home will factor in to an extent in the Warriors favor, but the Riders just have too many weapons on offense and a defense that has surrendered only 9.7 points per game. KS-Hawaii has its own share of weaponry, and having already seen the likes of Kapaa, Hilo and Iolani certainly can't be discounted in terms of experience, but this contest has all the look and feel of a lopsided win for the OIA runner-up.

Prediction: Roosevelt 55 - KS-Hawaii 7

Reach Brien Ing at [email protected].