Posted on: Friday, October 8, 2004

Bears, Lunas in big MIL game

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

A date for the Maui Interscholastic League football championship has been set for Nov. 12, but the crown may just be decided tomorrow night.

Defending champ Baldwin, 3-0-2 overall and ranked No. 5 in The Advertiser's statewide poll of coaches and media, faces No. 9 Lahainaluna (5-0-1) at War Memorial Stadium.

Kickoff is set for 7:30.

Each team is 3-0-1 after the MIL first round, including a 6-6 tie against each other. Because of a tie for the first-round title, the overall championship will now go to the winner of the second round.

If there is a tie for the second-round title, a championship game is set for Nov. 12.

In the O'ahu Interscholastic Association, the winner of tonight's arch rivalry showdown between No. 3 Mililani and No. 6 Leilehua (both 6-0) will earn at least a share of the Red Conference Western Division title. Each team is 4-0 in the West.

Kickoff is set for about 7:05 at Mililani Stadium.

Meanwhile, the Interscholastic League of Honolulu's only unbeaten team, No. 7 Iolani, will put its 5-0 record on the line tonight against No. 4 Kamehameha (3-1-1). Iolani is 2-0 in the ILH; Kamehameha is 1-1.

Kickoff is set for about 7:30 at Aloha Stadium.

Here is a closer look at each game:

LEILEHUA at MILILANI

Last week: Leilehua beat Kapolei, 43-23; Mililani beat Pearl City, 35-7.

Notable: This rivalry began in 1975, Mililani's first year as a varsity program. Leilehua won the first five meetings and 16 of the first 19, but the Trojans have won the past four. ... Leilehua has the West's most productive offense, averaging 370.6 yards per game. Mililani leads the West in team defense, allowing 156.8 ypg. ... Leilehua's sophomore quarterback, Bryant Moniz, is the OIA's top passer with 86 completions in 158 attempts for 1,224 yards and 13 touchdowns, against seven interceptions. Moniz was a starting left fielder and batted second for the Mules' baseball team last spring. His favorite target is Chustin Senas, who has 25 catches for 431 yards and six touchdowns. ... Running back Kekoa Perbera leads a balanced Mililani offense with 488 yards rushing and nine touchdowns on 61 carries (8.0 yards per carry). The Trojans' offense (331.3 ypg) ranks No. 2 in the West.

IOLANI vs. KAMEHAMEHA

Last week: Iolani defeated Pac-Five, 38-13; Kamehameha had a bye.

Notable: Iolani has the ILH's top offense, averaging 363.6 yards per game. Kamehameha leads the league in defense, allowing 219.8 ypg. ... Iolani quarterback Kiran Kepo'o leads all O'ahu passers with 91 completions in 158 attempts for 1,371 yards and 13 touchdowns, against seven interceptions. He threw for 293 yards by halftime last week against Pac-Five and had 375 yards before leaving the game early in the fourth quarter with a calf injury. Kepo'o is considered fully recovered and is expected to start tonight. ... The Raiders have two receivers ranking among O'ahu's top eight, with Micah Kalama at No. 2 with 29 catches for 480 yards and three touchdowns and Kekai Kealoha tied for No. 7 with 25 catches for 431 yards and four touchdowns. Those two and Travis Nishioka each had more than 100 yards receiving against Pac-Five. ... Kamehameha held Saint Louis' offense scoreless for three quarters on Sept. 25, allowing only an 88-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. ... The Warriors' balanced offense, led by quarterback Pono Kam, running back Jayson Rego, tight end Kamuela Kapanui and receiver Waika Spencer, rolled up 363 yards against Saint Louis.

BALDWIN vs. LAHAINALUNA

Last week: Both teams had a bye

Notable: Baldwin quarterback Kalehua Moniz is among the state's top passers, with 79 completions in 134 attempts (59 percent) for 1,022 yards and nine touchdowns, against four interceptions. His favorite target is Cody Nakamura (23 catches, 445 yards, 5 TDs). ... Lahainaluna quarterback Preston Medeiros was ill the week of the first Baldwin game and played only in the fourth quarter, completing 1 of 5 passes for 18 yards. He is considered healthy now and expects to start tomorrow.

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