Posted on: Friday, October 1, 2004

Divisional leads, title on line in OIA, ILH

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Kahuku faces its toughest O'ahu Interscholastic Association challenge to date and Campbell can take control of the OIA's White Conference race in league action this weekend.

Kahuku, 4-1 overall and ranked No. 1 in The Advertiser's Top 10 poll of coaches and media, is 3-0 in the OIA Red Conference Eastern Division. Castle, ranked No. 7, is 5-1 and 4-0.

The game is set for about 6:30 p.m. at Kailua Stadium. Castle is playing home games at Kailua this season because its stadium is under repair.

In the White Conference, Campbell (4-1, 4-0) can clinch at least a share of the regular season championship with a home victory over Waipahu (3-2, 3-1).

In the Interscholastic League of Honolulu, No. 6 Iolani (4-0, 1-0) puts its unbeaten record on the line today against Pac-Five (3-1-1, 0-0-1) in Division II action.

Here is a closer look at each of those games:

Iolani vs. Pac-Five

When: Today, 4:45 p.m.

Where: Aloha Stadium

Last week: Pac-Five tied Damien, 19-19; Iolani had a bye

Notable: Iolani has played only one game since Sept. 4, a 28-25 victory over Damien two weeks ago. ... Pac-Five had used a two-quarterback system throughout nonleague action, with sophomore Bryson Beirne and junior Royce Alvarado alternating each series. Beirne, however, had a breakout game against Damien, completing 14 of 29 passes without an interception, for 175 yards and two touchdowns. Alvarado played only one series, and his only pass attempt fell incomplete. ... Iolani junior quarterback Kiran Kepo'o is O'ahu's leading passer, with 72 completions in 125 attempts (57.6 percent) for 996 yards and nine touchdowns, with four interceptions.

WAIPAHU at CAMPBELL

When: Today, 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Both teams had a bye

Notable: Waipahu's only White Conference loss was a 24-23 squeaker to Radford on Sept. 3, when it still was suffering from the effects of several players on academic probation. ... Campbell senior Isaac Laupola is the state's fifth-leading receiver, with 16 catches for 387 yards and six touchdowns. He also scored a touchdown on an interception return against Radford. ... Waipahu senior quarterback Austen Benito leads the state in scoring, with eight touchdowns, nine PATs and one two-point conversion, for a total of 59 points.

CASTLE vs. KAHUKU

When: Tomorrow, 6:30 p.m.

Last week: Castle defeated Farrington, 34-19; Kahuku had a bye

Notable: Castle senior All-State linebacker Blaze Soares still is recovering from a strained knee suffered against Kailua on Sept. 10. He has been cleared to play tomorrow. ... Kahuku has the East's top offense (396.8 yards per game) and best defense (138.2 ypg). ... Castle has not defeated Kahuku since 1988, when it won 8-0.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.