Expect the unexpected when HPA plays Castle
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By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
When their respective league tournaments started, Hawai'i Prep and Castle weren't expected to reach the Chevron State Football Championships.
The Advertiser continues a series of previews for this week's quarterfinal games of the Chevron/Hawai'i High School Athletic Association state football playoffs: • Tuesday: • Yesterday: • Today: Hawai'i Prep vs. Castle • Tomorrow: Farrington vs. St. Louis
HPA's Ka Makani (8-3) were seeded third in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation tournament. Top-seeded Kealakehe, which beat HPA during the regular season, was the favorite. Ka Makani knocked off second-seeded Hilo in the semifinals before taking down Kealakehe to win their first league title since 1993.
State football previews
Castle's Knights (8-4) were the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red East's third seed. Unlike the top seeded teams — Kailua and Kahuku of the East and Wai'anae and Campbell of the West — Castle had to play an extra game in the OIA tournament. At the end, three of the top seeds packed their equipment. Castle went on to avenge a regular season loss to Kailua to win its first league title since 1945.
The eight-team state tournament officially starts with Castle playing Hawai'i Prep, 5 p.m. tomorrow at Aloha Stadium.
"Although we're still on Cloud Nine from last week (when they upset Kailua), we know we have to roll up our sleeves and go back to work," Castle coach Nelson Maeda said. "We all know that one loss, you're out. Every team in this tournament is capable. HPA was a surprise of the Big Island. That says a lot about their team. They beat Kealakehe and Hilo. I wouldn't be surprised if they're the favorites."
If they are, Ka Makani will have earned that role with the smallest roster in the tournament. Of their 34 players, seven play two ways.
"Our conditioning started kicking in toward the end," HPA's Tom Goodspeed said of his team's success. "We're a small team and we're playing a lot of bigger schools and (the conditioning) started kicking in toward tournament time."
Castle isn't much bigger, listing 43 on its roster, the third-smallest in the tournament. The Knights also will be without receiver/defensive back Brandon Shimomura, who tore ankle ligaments in the OIA semifinals against Farrington. Shimomura played both ways, so it is as if Castle lost two players. The Knights will have at least three two-way players for this game.
The similarities between the teams end there.
Offensively, Ka Makani do what most OIA teams used to do: run the football. Running back Brad Lau (5 feet 8, 165 pounds) is the BIIF single-season rushing record holder with 1,819 yards on 254 carries in 10 games.
"He's a tough runner," Maeda said. "He's going to be their go-to guy. We have to stop him."
Added Goodspeed: "He's a pretty straight-ahead runner, hard-nosed. He's not that big."
Because HPA is expected to run more often than not, Castle is likely to front-load the line of scrimmage. Last week, linebackers Cory Daniel, Blaze Soares and Elde Agcaoili countered Kailua's big offensive line with their quickness and helped hold the Surfriders to 39 rushing yards.
Ka Makani average about 12 pass attempts per game. Quarterback Patrick Blaisdell completed 48 of 121 for 711 yards and four touchdowns with seven interceptions.
Contrary to what a cable TV audience saw last week, Castle passes the ball. Heavy rain meant a water-logged football, so the Knights made two official pass attempts. Both were incomplete.
The only question is who will start at quarterback. Senior Jacob Ramos is usually the starter. He completed 95 of 193 for 1,088 yards and 10 TDs, but was intercepted 14 times. Maeda has also started sophomore Louis Mansanas Jr. and says freshman Bryce Kalauokaaea might also get a look. Kalauokaaea was promoted from the junior varsity.
"He has a rocket arm," Maeda said. "But he is really raw."
Receiver Jared Suzui (47 receptions for 715 yards, 5 TDs) and slotback Ikaika Ho (24-273, 4 TDs) are the primary targets. Castle can complement the pass with running back Kawika Sebay, who averages 4.3 yards per carry.
An area that could see attrition is on the line of scrimmage where the teams combine for six players pulling double duty.
Castle linemen Jonah Navarro (6-3, 290) and Mana Sasaki (6-0, 236) hardly leave the field. Neither do HPA's interior linemen Max Unger (6-4, 270), Micah Stevens (5-10 240), Justin Luzon (5-8, 190) and Scott Paulson (5-10, 160).
Ka Makani's leading tackler is senior linebacker Mike Vitousek (6-3, 190), who tallied 59 tackles and four sacks in nine games (he missed one). Sophomore linebacker Mike Kopra had 50 tackles and thee sacks.
Receivers/safeties Ryan Salmon (5-10, 170) and Kyle Lee (5-9, 145) and linebacker/fullback Leighton Hind IV are the other two-way players for HPA.
With so many same players going both ways, HPA needs to keep the ball away from the Knights, who can wear down a secondary with constant passing, which also prolongs the length of the game.
"We have to control the ball," Goodspeed acknowledged.
Aside from Sasaki and Navarro, another Knight scheduled to play two ways tomorrow is Sebay, who also plays defensive back. Ho, who has played defensive back, will probably not play defense against the run-oriented Ka Makani. Mansanas, a defensive back, might also see two-way action if he gets in at quarterback.
Hawai'i Prep vs. Castle
• What: Fourth Chevron State Football Championship Quarterfinals
• When: 5 p.m., tomorrow
• Where: Aloha Stadium, Honolulu
• Venue information: Parking is $2 and lots open at 3:30 p.m. Turnstiles open at 4 p.m.
• Tickets: $7 adults, $5 students (K-12)
HAWAI'I PREP KA MAKANI
Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion
• Coach: Tom Goodspeed, 4th year, 26-17
• Record: 8-3
• Streak: Four wins
• Tournament history: Debut.
• Scores:
L, Kailua, 0-40*
W, Konawaena, 28-6
W, Honoka'a, 26-0
L, Kealakehe, 21-22
W, Waiakea, 34-0
W, Kohala, 35-0
L, Hilo, 14-15
W, Kea'au, 20-0
BIIF Playoffs
Quarterfinals
W, Honoka'a, 13-0
Semifinals
W, Hilo, 10-7 (OT)
Championship
W, Kealakehe, 18-14
CASTLE KNIGHTS
O'ahu Interscholastic Association champion
• Coach: Nelson Maeda, 8th season, 39-41-3
• Record: 8-4
• Streak: Five wins
• Tournament history: Third appearance, 0-2 overall, 0-1 at Vidinha Stadium, 0-1 at Aloha Stadium.
• Scores:
L, Leilehua, 15-23*
L, Mililani, 7-10
W, Farrington, 18-14
L, Kailua, 0-20
W, Kalaheo, 23-0
W, McKinley, 26-22
L, Kahuku, 12-20
W, Roosevelt, 28-13
OIA Playoffs
First round
W, Kaimuki, 27-7
Quarterfinals
W, Campbell, 28-25
Semifinals
W, Farrington, 13-9
Championship
W, Kailua, 25-0
