Posted on: Friday, October 15, 2004

Seven teams have shot at playoffs

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

The O'ahu Interscholastic Association wraps up its regular season this weekend with four playoff berths still up for grabs.

Kailua, Roosevelt and McKinley are competing for the final two berths in the Red Conference Eastern Division. Kailua (2-2-1 in the East) and Roosevelt (2-3) are at home tonight against Kahuku and Castle, respectively. McKinley (1-3-1) plays Farrington tomorrow at Roosevelt.

If Kailua and Roosevelt win, they make the playoffs. If they lose and McKinley loses, they're still both in.

McKinley must win and hope Kailua and/or Roosevelt loses. McKinley and Kailua tied during the season, so if both end up with the same record and are behind Roosevelt in the standings, a coin toss would determine the final berth.

In the OIA White Conference, Radford (4-2), Moanalua (3-3), Kalaheo (3-3) and Kaiser (3-3) are vying for the remaining two playoff berths.

Radford, Moanalua and Kaiser are at home tonight against Waialua, Waipahu and Kalaheo, respectively.

If Radford wins, it's in. If Moanalua loses, it's out because it would lose the head-to-head tiebreaker with Kaiser or Kalaheo. The loser of the Kaiser-Kalaheo game is out.

There are two scenarios in which three of the four teams can finish with 4-3 records. Both would require a coin toss because in each scenario one team beat one, but not the other.

Here is a closer look at two of the crucial games:

KAHUKU AT KAILUA

When: About 7:30 tonight

Records: Kahuku is 6-1 overall, 5-0 in the OIA Red East; Kailua is 3-3-1, 2-2-1

Last week: Kahuku defeated Roosevelt, 67-21; Kailua lost to Farrington, 25-13

Notable: The same teams met in last year's regular season finale, with Kahuku winning 26-9. Kailua was trailing 12-9 with just over four minutes remaining, before the Red Raiders rallied for two touchdowns. They met again in the OIA championship game, with Kahuku winning 6-0 in the final minute ... Kekoa Su'a, part of the Surfriders' potent running back tandem, will miss the game while participating in a baseball tournament in Arizona. The tournament features some of Hawai'i's top baseball players with many major league scouts in attendance. ... Kahuku running back Micah Strickland, who led the Interscholastic League of Honolulu in rushing last season while playing for Punahou, ran for 305 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries last week. The yardage total was the highest on O'ahu in at least four seasons.

KALAHEO AT KAISER

When: About 7:30 tonight

Records: Both teams are 3-4 overall, 3-3 OIA White

Last week: Kaiser defeated Waialua, 33-3; Kalaheo lost to Radford, 41-14

Notable: The same teams met in last year's regular season finale, with the same playoff berth at stake. Kaiser won, 33-8, clinching its first playoff berth since 1997. However, that berth was taken away four days later when it was ruled Kaiser had used an ineligible player in that game. ... Kalaheo quarterback David Pershin has thrown for more than 1,000 yards, while Kaiser quarterback Shannon Wise has 923 yards passing. Kaiser's Matt Ching leads all O'ahu receivers with 36 catches for 634 yards.

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