Windward Teams To Battle Through Weekend On The Road
All four Windward teams playing road games at 7:30 p.m. Friday, as described below.
Castle at Waianae
The Knights are in the midst of a tough stretch that began two weeks ago with a Leilehua road date and ended last week at home against Kahuku. But they’re making progress. The 44-7 win at Waipahu Aug. 30 was a huge boost, followed up by playing the best any team has done against the Mules before finally succumbing, 41-28. Castle put up 322 yards of offense against a vaunted defense, averaging 4.6 yards per running play. Another big day on the ground against Waianae, which is used to controlling the ball, would be good. With a pair of league losses already, the Seariders need this one to keep alive slim hopes of winning the division.
Kahuku at Kaiser
This is an intriguing matchup, given Kaiser’s elevation to Division I following its 2013 DII state championship. For Kahuku, it represents a second straight road test after facing an improved Castle team last weekend. Should they take care of business here, the Red Raiders will be in position for much-anticipated contests with Leilehua (at home Sept. 26) and Waianae (Aloha Stadium Oct. 4), games that likely will decide the OIA Red crown. Kahuku has relied on its run game offensively, averaging 197 yards on the ground. Defensively, it’s been stellar against the run as well, conceding 43 yards per game on the ground. Kahuku needs to bring its run defense again this week, as Kaiser has averaged 257 yards per game on the ground so far.
Kailua at Kapolei
With both teams’ post-season hopes in question, this matchup is a “must win.” Kailua’s season finale with Moanalua (at home Sept. 27 following a bye) also will figure big in the picture, since Na Menehune were just one game ahead of Kailua in the standings entering last weekend. The Surfriders still were looking for their first win when they met Farrington last Friday. Offensive struggles have been a recurring theme for Kailua, which is averaging one touchdown per game.
Like Kailua, Kapolei has played a brutal schedule, dropping games to Kahuku,
Farrington and Mililani out of the gate. The Hurricanes broke through in week four with a 25-14 win over Moanalua.
Kalaheo at Roosevelt
The Mustangs had a bye week to digest their 10-7 loss to Waialua Aug. 29, but were hoping to return to action last weekend against Anuenue. Na Koa was forced to forfeit its games with Radford and Pearl City recently because of a shortage of players, so the Anuenue-Kalaheo matchup appeared in question, but Mustang athletic director Mark Brilhante expected the game to go on as of late last Thursday. As Kalaheo looks to secure a White playoff berth, every game is a must-win now. It will finish its season with games versus Radford, Kaimuki and Pearl City. The team will look for more offense this weekend after averaging just 150 total yards and 6.3 points through three games. As for Roosevelt, its schedule for the first month of 2014 was as demanding as any in Division II, playing Pearl City and Nanakuli on the road and Radford and Kalani at home.
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