Prep Game Of The Week – 9/10/14

FOOTBALL
CAMPBELL vs. KAPOLEI
SEPTEMBER 12, 2014, 7:30 P.M.
@ KAPOLEI HIGH SCHOOL

Chris Hart

If you just look at win-loss records, you might think this would be an easy win for Campbell. But the reality is, Kapolei has had a brutal schedule — all their games have been against top-10 teams. That being said, I am picking the Sabers here. But it won’t be easy. It’s interesting (and scary for the rest of the OIA) that the playmakers on this team are all underclassmen. Quarterback Ezra Savea is 6-f00t-3 and a good manager of the game. He’s not asked to do too much, as Campbell’s running game is awesome. Running back Terrell Johnson was an Enterprise Rent-a-Car Player of the Week finalist in the past and has been averaging almost 10 yards per carry. You also have Austin May in the backfield, which means opposing defenses get no break. Receiver Jayce Bantolina has been Savea’s favorite target, but if Kapolei focuses too much on Jayce, Campbell has at least two other receivers who can get the job done. It’s Coach Hernandez vs. Coach Amosa in this one, but I think the boys in orange have too much firepower to stumble here.

Gary Dickman

You’re right about Kapolei’s schedule, Chris. And it doesn’t get any easier on Friday against Campbell. I talked with assistant coach Fred Tufono, who recalled the first game of the season, where a tragedy in the stands occurred involving a player’s father. That really upset the team, and they were unable to focus enough to beat a tough Kahuku team. But the Hurricanes’ next game, a two-point loss to Farrington, showed Kapolei can compete with any team in the state. That’s what head coach Darren Hernandez constantly gets from his team, year in and year out: the ability to compete with anyone. For the Campbell game, QB Alton Julius is looking to improve on his TD/INT ratio of 3 to 1. He’s got a lot of weapons and balance with his wideouts, as Edward Kea leads the group (as MidWeek goes to press) with three TDs and 11.8 yards a catch. Two other Hurricane receivers have similar numbers: Ty-Noah Williams averages 11.6 yards per catch, and Ronald Young gets 12.8. The defense will have to work together to slow down Campbell’s rushing attack, as they’ve given up an average of 237 yards on the ground so far. If Kapolei can improve its own rushing attack, it can finally get that win against a top-10 team.

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