Farrington hopes stadium's fast track helps against Kahuku

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Tomorrow night's O'ahu Interscholastic Association football quarterfinal doubleheader at Aloha Stadium will feature an intriguing rematch and a classic power vs. finesse showdown.

Kahuku defeated Farrington, 35-7, in a regular season meeting earlier this month. In that game, Farrington's standout running back, Matt Bell, was held to 43 yards on 14 carries. Bell went on to lead the OIA Red Conference-East in rushing with 770 yards and the Governors led the division in team rushing, but were held to 92 yards on the ground that night.

"That field has a lot of sand," said Bell, referring to Kahuku's rugged home turf. "It was hard to run there. This time it's at the Stadium, so it should be different."

Bell also said Farrington plans to go to the air more in an effort to throw a more balanced attack at the Red Raiders. But that is easier said than done against Kahuku's secondary, which rates among the state's best.

In their 12-7 victory over previously unbeaten Kailua two weeks ago, the Red Raiders kept the Surfriders' potent passing game in check for most of the second half.

Cornerbacks Sam Spurrier and Kyle Juliano are considered to be top-notch cover guys. Spurrier helped limit Kailua's David Kaihenui, who tied for the Red Conference lead in receiving yards with 682, to two catches in the first half and none in the second.

Spurrier also made a game-saving tackle by running down Keali'i Kalahiki near the goal line as time ran out.

Safety Viliami Nauahi is one of the state's most heavily recruited college prospects, and fellow safety George Perry was a first-team all-state selection last year.

In tomorrow's nightcap, Campbell's secondary will be challenged by Castle's dynamic and unpredictable offense. The Knights are particularly effective using an inside receiver screen, which takes advantage of their overall team speed. To make Castle even tougher to figure out, the Knights have been splitting time with two quarterbacks — 5-foot-7, 138-pound sophomore Louis Mansanas and 5-10, 162-pound senior Jacob Ramos.

Castle's defense, meanwhile, must find a way to slow Campbell's powerful running game, which led the 14-team Red Conference with an average of 287 yards per game.

The Sabers have two strong runners in seniors Mapa Malupo (6-0, 220) and Shauncey Saito (5-10, 180). Malupo led the Red in rushing with 775 yards, and Saito was fourth with 510.

Campbell also showed it can throw the ball, as quarterback Jonah Canionero completed 11 of 22 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns against Wai'anae two weeks ago. Canionero has an excellent receiver in Ali'i Basham (23 catches, 327 yards, 4 TDs).