GAMES OF THE WEEK
Oahu, Big Island crowns on line
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
The remaining state tournament football berths will be determined today and tomorrow on O'ahu and the Big Island.
Wai'anae and Leilehua meet for the Red title tonight. Both already secured berths to the state Division I tournament. The winner also will draw a first-round bye.
Farrington will play Kapolei tomorrow for the OIA's third and final Division I state berth.
Meanwhile, Roosevelt will play Kaimuki for the White title today. Both also secured Division II state berths.
On the Big Island, both Division I and II have playoffs for overall league titles because there were different champions in the first and second rounds. Only the winners will advance to their respective state tournaments.
OIA RED CHAMPIONSHIP
WA'IANAE VS. LEILEHUA
8 TONIGHT AT ALOHA STADIUM
These schools are hungry for a league title, as an Eastern Division team has won the last nine years (eight by Kahuku alone).
The Seariders (8-2) haven't won since 1997, while the Mules (7-4) haven't won since 1984, the last time Leilehua even played for the OIA championship.
Both teams won their semifinals by limiting their opponents to a field goal. It could be another defensive battle as when they met during the regular season, when Leilehua won, 8-0, on two field goals and a safety. This could be a game played between the 20-yard lines.
The Mules are trying not to get caught up in the hype. Coach Nolan Tokuda said in the past, the emphasis was on winning.
"The focus now is to enjoy the moment," he said. "Enjoy playing with the guy next to you."
It's probably a way to take pressure off, especially to sophomore QB Andrew Manley, who will play in his third varsity game.
"He gets the ball off pretty fast," Wai'anae coach Dan Matsumoto said. "He's pretty disciplined for his age."
In the Sept. 14 game between the teams, RB Rico Newman kicked both field goals. But since the loss to Campbell, Tokuda has used reserve DB Garrison Garma to give the Mules a fresh body to kick PATs, lifting a burden from the multi-faceted Newman, who also is among the team leaders in pass receptions.
The move of Ben McQuown from QB to SB has given the Seariders another weapon on offense, as it allows him to use his rushing and receiving skills.
OIA RED THIRD PLACE
KAPOLEI VS. FARRINGTON
ABOUT 6:30 P.M. TOMORROW AT WAIPAHU
This is the first meeting ever between the teams and it doesn't get any more basic. Lose and pack up the equipment.
The Hurricanes (7-4) have been playing well defensively since the playoffs started, having allowing just 28 points in three games combined to Kailua, Kahuku and Wai'anae.
The Governors (5-3-2) also have played well defensively in the playoffs, allowing just 14 points combined against Campbell and Leilehua.
OIA WHITE CHAMPIONSHIP
ROOSEVELT VS. KAIMUKI
5 TONIGHT AT ALOHA STADIUM
The Bulldogs (9-1) powered their way to a 34-13 win against the Rough Riders (6-2-1) during the regular season.
Behind a physical offensive line, Kaimuki RB Justin Paderes rushed for 201 yards and two TDs. But he wasn't the only one doing damage to Roosevelt. Christopher Etuale had a 79-yard kickoff return and a 38-yard punt return that gave the Bulldogs great field position to set up TDs. Paderes led all White Conference rushers with 1,140 yards.
Roosevelt has a strong ground game as well with RB Ranson Tuitama, fourth in the White with 949 yards.
BIIF DIV. I CHAMPIONSHIP
WAIAKEA AT KEALAKEHE
7 TONIGHT
Waiakea (4-7) flip-flopped its first-round record (1-3) to win the second-half title (3-1) after a 28-27 upset of Kealakehe (9-2) last week. The defending BIIF champion Waveriders won the first-round title, when they outlasted the Warriors, 54-35.
The Waveriders have statistical leaders in the state in nearly every category. QB Kawai Kanuha leads with 2,685 passing yards and 28 TD passes; WR Jordon Ursua leads with 54 receptions and is second with 811 receiving yards; kicker Morgan Ynigues leads all specialists with 60 points, including 18 from six field goals.
BIIF DIV. II CHAMPIONSHIP
HAWAI'I PREP AT KAMEHAMEHA
7 P.M. TOMORROW
A battle of the only two private schools on the Big Island that play football.
Both teams love to run for a good reason: Each has a prolific running back. The Warriors are led by Kolten Wong, while Ka Makani are led by Mana Purdy. According to West Hawaii Today, they have rushed for 1,328 and 1,530 yards, respectively.
Kamehameha is the two-time defending BIIF Division II champion, but Hawai'i Prep remains the only BIIF team to win a state tournament game (first round in 2004).
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.