Castle looks for 2nd straight OIA upset
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
The Castle High School football team is coming off a big upset of McKinley and is aiming for another against Kahuku.
Pearl City suffered its first league defeat last week but still has a chance to stay in first place and knock Kaimuki out of a share of the lead.
And, Kailua faces one of its biggest challenges to being the only unbeaten team in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association when it faces McKinley.
These are the big story lines in Week 7 of the OIA. Here is a closer look at each game:
Kaimuki vs. Pearl City
Where: Kaiser High School, 511 Lunalilo Home Road, Hawai'i Kai
When: Tonight, 25 minutes after conclusion of 5 p.m. JV game
Records: Kaimuki 4-2 overall, 4-1 in OIA White; Pearl City 4-2, 4-1
Last week: Kaimuki defeated Waialua, 14-7; Pearl City lost to Nanakuli, 28-14
Notable: Kaimuki has the White Division's top defense, allowing 185.8 total yards per game. But the Bulldogs also are struggling on offense, averaging only 173.4 ypg. ... Pearl City has the White's second-best defense, allowing 204.8 ypg. The Chargers' offense is producing an average of 289.2 ypg. ... Kaimuki running back/linebacker Daniel Tautofi is one of the state's top basketball players. He was a second-team all-state selection last winter.
Kailua vs. McKinley
Where: Roosevelt High School, 1120 Nehoa St., Makiki
When: Tomorrow, 25 minutes after conclusion of 5 p.m. JV game
Records: Kailua 6-0 overall, 5-0 in OIA Red-East; McKinley 4-2, 3-2
Last week: Kailua defeated Kalaheo, 49-0; McKinley lost to Castle, 26-22
Notable: Kailua has O'ahu's most productive offense, averaging a whopping 480.2 yards per game. Quarterback Ranson Kepa already has passed for 1,332 yards and 14 touchdowns, and receiver David Kaihenui has caught 21 passes for 561 yards (26.7 ypc) and seven touchdowns. The Surfriders are averaging 42 points per game. ... Kailua also has the Red-East's top defense, allowing 172 ypg. ... McKinley quarterback Abel Werner has a completion percentage of .654 (89 of 136) and has passed for 1,078 yards. Receiver Isaiah Iaea leads the Red-East with 28 catches and has 494 yards in receptions. Running back Mike Vasconcellos has rushed for 326 yards and eight touchdowns.
Kahuku at Castle
Where: Castle High School, 45-386 Kane'ohe Bay Drive, Kane'ohe
When: Tonight, 25 minutes after conclusion of 5 p.m. JV game
Records: Kahuku 4-2 overall, 4-1 in OIA Red-West; Castle 3-3, 3-2
Last week: Kahuku defeated Farrington, 35-7; Castle defeated McKinley, 26-22
Notable: Castle has not defeated Kahuku since an 8-0 victory in the final game of the 1988 regular season. Each team entered last year's game unbeaten in the OIA, but Kahuku won, 57-10. ... Castle uses several two-way players, including quarterback/defensive back Jacob Ramos, slotback/defensive back Jared Suzui and wide receiver/cornerback Ikaika Ho. ...Kahuku used 14 different ball carriers against Farrington, led by Paea Vaimoui's 112 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries.
