Posted on: Friday, October 29, 2004

Refreshed Kahuku plays 'Aiea tonight

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

After resting a number of key skill position players on offense two weeks ago, plus a bye last week, the top-ranked Kahuku Red Raiders are well-rested and healed for their O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red quarterfinal against 'Aiea tonight at 7 at Aloha Stadium.

"The extra week really helped," Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai said. "Everybody's up mentally and physically."

It is a match between last year's OIA Red and White champions. 'Aiea was rewarded with a promotion to the Red.

The Red Raiders (7-1) have already shown what they can do when their reserves play; they hammered Kailua, 46-0, without starting quarterback Bronson Ponciano-Ahue, receiver Spencer Hafoka and running backs Micah Strickland, Malosi Te'o and Hyrum Moors. With everyone available, Kahuku is guaranteed to have fresh legs on the field for the whole game.

"It's a big challenge for us," 'Aiea coach Wendell Say said. "In a game like this, the kids are running on adrenaline. Hopefully, we can stay focused and not worry about getting tired."

'Aiea (5-4), which eliminated Roosevelt in last week's first-round game, was able to get the West's fourth seed for the Red tournament because of its defense, which allowed a division-best 176 yards per game. Na Ali'i got steady performances this season from lineman Rocky Savai'igaea, linebacker R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane and cornerbacks C.J. Tausaga and Kimo Byrd.

"'Aiea's got a good defense," Livai said. "The key will be our offensive line. If we do what we need to do, everything should be OK."

But Kahuku has a good defense, too, allowing 168 yards per game. Like on offense, the defense is deep, led by all-state strong safety Al Afalava.

"We don't have the big names on defense like last year," Livai said. "We rotate three sets of linebackers."

'Aiea's job will be to hold the ball with running back Donny Mapusaga (592 yards, 5 TDs) to help quarterback Kali Kuia distribute passes to a number of receivers, the most active being Lahaina Olsen-Kuroda (325 yards).

NOTES

'Aiea is 7-6 in postseason, winning its last five dating to last year's White championship and Division II state title... Kahuku is 47-16 in postseason..

Mililani vs. Kailua: 4:30 p.m. today at Aloha Stadium.

Mililani (8-0), the only unbeaten team in the OIA tournament, hopes to change its luck against Kailua (4-4-1), having lost to the Surfriders in the semifinals last year and in 2001.

The Trojans have demonstrated they can score from the ground and air with consistency. Running back Kekoa Perbera (708 yards, 10 TDs), quarterback Maka Kahoano (46 of 101 for 885 yards, 9 TDs) and receiver Jon Santos (26 catches for 540 yards, 6 TDs) are the main reasons.

Kailua's offense also can create problems, especially with the running back duo of Damien Torres and Kekoa Su'a. They accounted for 1,545 of the team's 1,615 rushing yards. Torres had 1,163 of those yards with 11 TDs.

"They still have the two backs and now they're used together (at the same time)," Mililani coach James Millwood said. "Any of those (two) guys can take the ball all the way on any down. We have to make sure tackles."

Millwood said the linebackers have been instrumental in the defense's success, led by converted defensive back Aaron Po'oloa, Michael Suan and Josh Andrews.

"You make a mistake against an opponent like Mililani, they're going to take advantage of it," Kailua coach Gary Rosolowich said. "We're going to have to rise to the challenge to have any kind of success."

NOTES

Mililani is 3-10 in postseason ... Kailua is 18-18-1 in postseason; the tie was in 1988 against Leilehua. The Surfriders won a tiebreaking procedure to advance to the next round.

Kapolei vs. Castle: Around 6:30 p.m. tomorrow at Moanalua.

Castle (6-2) has been remarkably resilient, winning games despite an uncanny number of injuries. The Knights lost quarterback Bryce Kalauoka'aea (knee) in preseason, played without two-time All-State linebacker Blaze Soares (knee) for three games and for parts of two others, and missed running back Justin Kruse (fractured rib) for three games, to name a few of the injured.

"We've had 10 guys out at one time or another," Castle coach Nelson Maeda said. "And we still won't be at full strength this week."

Jordan Nakayama and Louis Mansanas Jr. have shared time at quarterback, combining for 1,488 yards passing and 11 TDs.

The Hurricanes (4-4) lost multi-talented quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada to graduation, but Jon Medeiros has been effective running the option with running back Radford Raquedan (585 yards).

NOTES

The Hurricanes are 1-2 in postseason ... Castle is 14-16-1 in postseason; it tied Campbell in a 1998 quarterfinal, but advanced on a tiebreaker.

Farrington at Leilehua: 7 p.m. tomorrow.

A lot of footballs will fly in this matchup.

Leilehua (7-1) is led by quarterback Bryant Moniz, the state's leading passer with 1,842 yards and 20 TDs. His counterpart, Eti Atonio, is fourth with 1,492 yards and third with 14 TDs.

Farrington (4-4) brings more experience under third-year coach Randall Okimoto. Atonio and the team's leading receiver, Alex Mendoza (603 yards), are seniors. Leilehua's Moniz is a sophomore and his favorite receiver, Chustin Senas (631 yards), is a junior. Both are playing varsity for the first time under new coach Nolan Tokuda.

NOTES

Farrington is 17-22-1 in postseason; Leilehua is 10-15-1. The Mules' tie came in a 1988 quarterfinal against Kailua; the Mules lost a tiebreaker and failed to advance.

FIGHT FOLLOW

Kailua suspends five for tonight's game

In the aftermath of a postgame melee in last week's O'ahu Interscholastic Association first-round game, five Kailua High players, including three starters, have been suspended for tonight's quarterfinal against Mililani.

Kailua coach Gary Rosolowich said four players, two of them reserves, were issued suspensions by the school because of their roles in the benches-clearing brawl following Kailua's 14-12 win against Nanakuli last Friday at Kailua.

Another starter had been ejected by game officials for throwing a punch. By OIA rules, the player is automatically suspended for the ensuing game.

"We just have to adjust and hope the others can do their job," Rosolowich said of losing the five players.

Nanakuli athletic director Hugh Taufaasau said only senior players were found to have engaged in fighting. Since Nanakuli has been ousted from the playoffs, essentially they averted punishment. But Taufaasau said if the players turn out for other sports, they will suffer some sort of consequence.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.