A Weekend Of Prep Matchups For West Oahu Teams
With all five teams from the West Region in action this weekend, MidWeek’s West Oahu Islander previews the prep football matchups.
Campbell at Kailua – Friday at 7 p.m.
This marks the second week in a row the Sabers will play a team from the East, having hosted Division II Kaiser last weekend for their preseason game. Amosa Amosa’s team arguably draws a tougher assignment this week in its Oahu Interscholastic Association crossover game versus a Kailua team that went 4-2 in the Red East in 2011.
Generating offense has never been an issue for Campbell since Amosa took over the program. The Sabers’ offensive lead- ers this year include quarterbacks Justin Tago-Sue
and Isaac Hurd, running backs Paul-Andrew Rhoden and Triston Pebria, as well as a deep wide receiver corps Solomon Leaeno, Amate Savusa and Toese Tia are among Campbell’s defensive leaders.
Castle at Aiea – Friday at 7 p.m.
Defense has been Aiea’s strength in recent years under the tutelage of defensive coordinator Mika Liilii, and Na Al‘ii figure to have a solid test this week with Castle coming to town for an OIA crossover game.
The Knights’ spread offense is led by senior quarterback Kela Shea and a fleet-footed group of receivers. The Aiea defense held opponents to less than 75 yards rushing per outing and yielded 14.0 points per game in 2011. Among the stars of the unit are A.J. Aleaga, Samate Talia and Kyle Ishikawa in the secondary in addition to defensive end Ualesi Sale, one of the state’s most capable at his position. Sale is currently rated seventh among Hawaii prep prospects from the class of 2013, according to the recruiting service rivals.com.
Kapolei versus McKinley – Friday at 7 p.m. (at Roosevelt High School)
This shapes up as one of the more intriguing OIA crossover matchups to take place this weekend. For both teams, it’s an opportunity to put disappointing 2011 seasons fur- ther in the rear-view mirror. Injuries were mainly responsible for Kapolei’s struggles last year, so expectations are high once again for 2012, as the Hurricanes are coming off a great off-season, accord- ing to head coach Darren Hernandez. Look for Kapolei to set the tone, defensively, behind a seasoned defensive line that features Andrew Julius, Elias McMoore, Owen Souza, Isaiah Alapai and Urima Foi. In the second- ary, the Hurricanes’ Kaeo Kanoa and Mason Alfaro are among the state’s best.
Radford at Pearl City – Saturday at 7 p.m.
This is the second straight home game for first-year head coach David Hallums and the Chargers, who hosted Division I Kapolei last weekend. Pearl City will only play three true road games (their Sept. 15 date with Anuenue will be played on a neutral field — at Waialua) among their full slate of nine games for 2012. Pearl City finished 9-3 in 2011 en route to earning a berth in the First Hawaiian Bank Division II State Championships.
Iolani at Waipahu – Saturday at 7 p.m.
The Marauders were rewarded for a solid 9-4 season (and Division II OIA Title) in 2011 by being promoted to Division I. Although this interleague game against Division II Iolani won’t count in Waipahu’s playoff posi- tioning, it is nevertheless a chance to take care of some unfinished business, since the Raiders defeated the Marauders 34-0 in last year’s DII First Hawaiian
Bank State Championship game. Expect Waipahu to have revenge on their minds as a motivating factor. All totaled, Iolani has won five straight DII State Championships and six in the last seven years.
