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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, September 21, 2007

State's top two teams square off at Aloha Stadium

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

While some O'ahu Interscholastic Association football teams already are on the verge of clinching playoff berths, Saint Louis has yet to play an Interscholastic League of Honolulu game.

In fact, the defending ILH champion Crusaders have not even played any kind of game this month.

But after a 21-day layoff, Saint Louis — ranked No. 1 in The Advertiser's statewide Top 10 poll of coaches and media — returns to action tonight to face No. 2 Punahou. Kickoff is set for 7:45 at Aloha Stadium.

'Iolani and Pac-Five will play at 5 in the opener of the doubleheader.

Saint Louis' last game was on Aug. 31, a 41-12 victory over an 'Aiea team depleted by 16 suspended players. The Crusaders opened their season with a 21-6 win over defending state champion Kahuku, then stomped Kailua, 48-7.

Here is a closer look at this weekend's top games:

PUNAHOU VS. SAINT LOUIS

RECORDS: Punahou is 3-0 overall, 1-0 in the ILH; Saint Louis is 3-0, 0-0

LAST WEEK: Punahou defeated Kamehameha, 28-7; Saint Louis was idle

NOTABLE: Punahou welcomed back two of its top players, running back Dalton Hilliard and linebacker/fullback Manti Te'o, to the lineup last week after both sat out the previous game due to injuries. Te'o recorded two sacks and applied constant pressure on Kamehameha's passing game, and also contributed as a blocking back and caught a 9-yard pass. Hilliard rushed for 98 yards on 24 carries, including 60 yards in the second half as the Buffanblu tried to run down the clock. ... Crusaders quarterback Micah Mamiya ranks second in the state in passing efficiency, with 34 completions in 62 attempts for 577 yards and seven touchdowns, against two interceptions. ... The teams' last two meetings went down to the wire, with Saint Louis winning both last season (33-27 and 38-35).

'AIEA AT MILILANI

WHEN: Tonight, at about 7:30

RECORDS: 'Aiea is 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the OIA West; Mililani is 4-1, 2-1

LAST WEEK: 'Aiea defeated Radford, 30-17; Mililani defeated Kapolei, 23-7

ADVERTISER TOP 10 RANKING: Mililani is No. 4; 'Aiea is unranked

NOTABLE: 'Aiea's James Buchanan leads the state in receiving yards, with 396 on 27 catches (20.8 ypc) and two touchdowns. Mililani sophomore Taz Stevenson ranks second, with 310 yards on 18 catches (17.2 ypc) and three touchdowns. Stevenson also has a kickoff return for a TD. ... Na Ali'i quarterback Keenan Naeole ranks second in the state in passing yardage, with 847 yards (211.8 yards per game). He has completed 62 of 119 passes with six touchdowns and five interceptions. Mililani quarterback Rustin Funakoshi is fourth, with 680 yards and five TDs against three interceptions. ... Mililani kicker Colin Lund leads all specialists in scoring, with five field goals and nine PATs for 24 points.

FARRINGTON VS. KALAHEO

WHEN: Tomorrow, at about 6:15 p.m.

WHERE: Roosevelt Stadium

RECORDS: Farrington is 2-1-1 overall and 2-1 in the OIA East; Kalaheo is 4-1, 2-1

LAST WEEK: Farrington defeated Moanalua, 30-22; Kalaheo defeated Castle, 29-13

ADVERTISER TOP 10 RANKING: Kalaheo is No. 8; Farrington is unranked

NOTABLE: Kalaheo quarterback Cody vonAppen is fifth in the state in passing yardage, with 611. ... Farrington running back Joshua Fernandez rushed for 106 yards against Moanalua.

Read Wes Nakama's blog on prep sports at http://blogs.honoluluadvertiser.com.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.