'Aiea, Kahuku look to continue perfect seasons
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
No matter what happens tomorrow, the 'Aiea High School football team will finish this season as the winningest in school history, percentage-wise.
But that's a consolation prize Na Ali'i would rather not settle for.
'Aiea will try to advance to the O'ahu Interscholastic Association final four for the first time since 1992 when it takes on resurgent Wai'anae in the feature game of a playoff doubleheader at Aloha Stadium.
Defending OIA and state champion Kahuku will play Roosevelt in the 5:05 p.m. opener.
Here is a closer look at each game:
KAHUKU vs. ROOSEVELT
- Records: Kahuku 9-0 overall, 8-0 Red Conference; Roosevelt 6-3, 6-2 White Conference
- Seeds: Kahuku No. 1 Red, Roosevelt No. 3 White
- Last week: Kahuku defeated Wai'anae, 21-6; Roosevelt lost to 'Aiea, 37-14
- Series record: Kahuku leads, 14-8-2
- Last meeting: Oct. 13, 2000 — Kahuku 48, Roosevelt 0
- Key factors: Roosevelt quarterback Chris Mols was hampered by a high ankle sprain in last week's loss to 'Aiea, limiting his mobility. He will need to be nimble to avoid a heavy pass rush led by Jonathan Mapu and Darrell Tachibana. ... Mols, who threw for 2,011 yards and 18 touchdowns in the regular season, is one of the state's best pure passers. He also is experienced in reads and looking off his receivers. ... Roosevelt can score from anywhere on the field, as evidenced by a 99-yard pass play from Mols to Corey Higa in a victory over Kalaheo. Receiver Jerry Perreira is one of the league's finest, having caught 26 passes for 492 yards and nine touchdowns. But he dropped three passes against 'Aiea, something the Rough Riders cannot afford to do against Kahuku. ... Mols will spread the ball around, as five receivers (Higa, Perreira, Shown Francis, Matthew Terukina and Anthony Holyfield) each have caught at least 16 passes. ... Roosevelt has struggled to establish a solid ground attack, averaging only 59.5 rushing yards per game. ... Kahuku's arsenal of offensive weapons (quarterback Inoke Funaki, running backs Mulivai Pula and Earvin Atuaia, receivers James Kammerer, Ferron Fonoimoana and Moana Hafoka) have been well-documented, but the Red Raiders' defense allowed only 194.3 yards and 9.6 points per game in the regular season. Kahuku has surrendered only 115.5 passing yards per game.
'AIEA VS. WAI'ANAE
- Records: 'Aiea 9-0 overall, 8-0 White; Wai'anae 6-3, 5-3 Red
- Seeds: 'Aiea No. 1 White, Wai'anae No. 4 Red
- Series record: Wai'anae leads, 19-4
- Last meeting: Oct. 7, 2000 — Wai'anae 27, 'Aiea 0
- Key factors: 'Aiea quarterback Lole Laolagi set an OIA single-season record with 31 touchdown passes, but he also threw a season-high five interceptions against Roosevelt last week. Wai'anae's Kekoa Reyes is one of the state's top safeties, and he has had an interception in each of the past two games. ... Wai'anae's defense was much maligned after giving up 55 points to Castle and 27 to Kailua, but the Seariders have allowed only 41 points in the past five games. Reyes, who started the season solely as a quarterback, now plays safety and shares the quarterback role with Caleb Paakaula. ... Wai'anae's ground game also has picked up steam, with Reyes, Chad Rodrigues, Kawena Rosario and Sautia Lave each rushing for over 200 yards this season. The Seariders also have a deep threat in receiver Teacel Hines (19 catches, 304 yards, 4 TDs) ... 'Aiea has passed for a league-high 2,221 yards, but Na Ali'i also have a formidable running threat in Laolagi (258 yards, 5 TDs) and fullback Junior Neemia, who averaged 5.1 yards per carry in the regular season. ... The teams scrimmaged in August, but 'Aiea coach Wendell Say realizes the Seariders have improved significantly since starting the OIA season 1-2. "They've made changes," Say said. "They're much better now."
