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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, October 19, 2007

Baldwin, Lahainaluna clash in MIL

Advertiser Staff

This weekend's most anticipated high school football game might be on Maui, where Valley Island powers Baldwin and Lahainaluna clash tonight at War Memorial Stadium.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

Baldwin, the two-time defending Maui Interscholastic League champion, is 5-1 overall (4-0 MIL) and ranked No. 5 in The Advertiser's statewide Top 10 poll of coaches and media. Lahainaluna (6-0, 4-0) is ranked No. 7.

Ironically, unlike in past years, the two teams are not fighting for the same championship. Baldwin is classified as a Division I team as usual, but Lahainaluna dropped down to Division II this season with DII state champ King Kekaulike moving up.

Baldwin has all but sealed the MIL's Division I crown, since King Kekaulike is 1-3 in the league play and Maui is 0-4. But Kamehameha-Maui (2-2 MIL) still is in the DII race, so tonight's game is important for Lahainaluna's title hopes.

Running backs Lake Casco and Kalias McGhee have made the bulk of the carries for the run-oriented Lunas. Casco has 389 yards and six TDs, and McGhee has 322 yards and four TDs. Casco, who also is the place-kicker, is among the state leaders in scoring with 73 points.

First-year starting quarterback Jake Manning has passed the ball only 47 times, but has been extremely efficient, averaging 9.9 yards per attempt with only one interception; he has a 169.0 passing rating.

Although the Bears have been without all-state wide receiver Chase Nakamura (all season with knee injury), that hasn't hampered their passing game with third-year starter Jordan Helle at quarterback (957 yards, 11 TDs). But Skyler Cabacungan has picked up for Nakamura with 18 receptions for 299 yards and seven TDs.

Meanwhile, the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red (Division I) begins its tournament this weekend with two games. The top three teams from each division — Kahuku, Farrington and Kalaheo in the East and Mililani, Wai'anae and Campbell in the West — draw byes this week.

CASTLE VS. LEILEHUA

WHEN: 7:30 tonight at Mililani (Live on OC 16)

RECORDS: Castle (3-5 overall, 3-3 East), Leilehua (4-4, 3-3).

NOTABLE: The last time the schools met was for the OIA third-place game; the Mules won 14-10.

The Mules still use two quarterbacks — Kaipo Kea and Kaipo DeRego — who have combined for 1,107 yards and 10 TDs. But they will miss receiver Edieson Dumlao (concussion), who has not been cleared. So joining primary receivers Allan Macam and Elijah Manaea will be two players from defense in linebacker Robert Siavii and cornerback Aaremy Palomares.

"He's been our go-to receiver all year," Leilehua coach Nolan Tokuda said of Dumlao. "But we have faith in the other guys."

Running back Rico Newman poses a threat with his feet (295 yards rushing; kicks PATs and field goals) and hands (118 yards receiving).

Not to be outdone, the Knights also employ two quarterbacks in Blake Rapozo (869 yards, 5 TDs) and Thomas Ilae. Slotback Bronson Kekahuna has been getting the most touches (23 for 174 yards).

The Knights will have five players going two ways: Kekahuna (slot/defensive back), Ilae (quarterback/defensive back), Alika Kekoanui (center/defensive end), K.J. Aipia (defensive end/wide receiver) and Solomon Koehler (guard, tackle/defensive tackle).

"It's something we always do," Knights' coach Nelson Maeda said. "We like to put our best on the field."

KAILUA AT KAPOLEI

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. tomorrow

RECORDS: Kailua (3-5, 3-3), Kapolei (5-3, 3-3).

NOTABLE: A rematch of last year's OIA first-round game won by the Hurricanes, 35-14.

The Surfriders drew their bye last week, so they should come in fresh. They like to run with — pick your poison — Kaleo Wong (394 yards), Brandon Adviento (350 yards) and Campbell transfer Lowen Tynanes-Perez (342 yards).

Kailua's defense has been consistent, allowing 14.7 points per game during the regular season. But it will have to contend with the multi-talented Kapolei quarterback/sometimes receiver Mason Koa.

Koa leads the Hurricanes with 314 yards rushing and 350 yards receiving. He also has passed for 497 yards. When he isn't behind center, he's on the receiving end of passes from Noah Pascua, who leads the team with 639 yards passing. With Pascua at QB, he has two dangerous receivers in Koa and Saint Louis transfer Chase Alcott (18 catches for 216 yards).