Aiea (7-1, OIA) at Moanalua (7-1,), Friday, 7:30 PM
This could be the Aloha state’s football game of the year. Aiea is a tightly disciplined football team that makes their own breaks (three of their 7 wins were by three points or less, all snatched in the last quarter). Despite their seven wins, not one of their players is in the top five in any statistical category: their success is truly a team effort. They’ve won four straight, including a 32-6 yawn fest over Waialua last week. Moanalua relies on a bruising running game, spearheaded by Tahje Canyon, who has scored 13 TDs and gained 1074 yards -- second in Division II.
Kaimuki (2-6, OIA) at Mililani (6-2), Friday, 7:30 PM
On the surface, this is one of those games that should not be in doubt, but seventh-ranked Mililani will have to get it done on the football field to extinguish the unranked Bulldogs, who play a lot tougher than their record indicates. Mililani is still reeling from last week’s 54-41 upset at the hands of Waianae. Kaimuki lost to Farrington (7-1) by just three points last week, and won two straight games prior. This game has all the makings of an upset.
Kaiser (3-5, OIA) at Pearl City (3-4), Friday, 7:00 PM
After starting strong (3-0), Kaiser has lost three straight. Pearl City, meanwhile, has looked unbeatable at times, but has not strung together four straight quarters of great football. They were beaten by Kalaheo (5-3) last week, and have vowed to reignite their bruising running game against Kaiser’s defense. Pearl City will need a win to retain their Top-10 ranking (they’re ninth), while Kaiser could salvage a disappointing season with a win.
Waialua (2-5, OIA) at Radford (5-3), Friday, 7:00 PM
Radford is for real. They extracted last-quarter wins over powerhouse Saint Louis and Kaiser earlier in the season, then tore Kalani apart last week 56-6. Although they were on nobody’s pre-season Top 10, they continue to evolve as a unit. Waialua was a pre-season darling, but has taken three consecutive beatings, totaling 110-25. Watch Radford to blow them out with a big time air game.
Iolani (7-2, ILH) vs. Pac-Five (5-3), Saturday, 5:00 PM
Whatever may happen in this clash of second-ranked Iolani and fifth-ranked Pac-Five, you’re not likely to see a repeat of Iiolani’s 31-3 win. PJ Minaya, Pac-Five’s live-armed quarterback -- the most prolific passer in Hawaii high school history -- is a hundred percent, for one thing. Minaya has passed for 32 touchdowns and 2427 yards, and completed 55% of his passes, but his hand was injured in the first go-round between these two team. Iolani’s Jarrett Arakawa is second in completions, yardage, and touchdowns, trailing only Minaya. Pac-Five’s London Amorin leads the division in catches (64), yardage (1009), and touchdowns (13), and Iolani’s Trevyn Tulongari (51, 567) is second in the first two categories.
Saint Louis (7-2, ILH) vs. Punahou (3-4), Saturday, 7:45 PM
Saint Louis is on track, and never looked tougher than in their 28-0 shutout over Iolani last week -- but that’s precious little comfort in the face of an earlier season loss (23-21) to Punahou. Saint Louis quarterback Jeremy Higgins is the second-ranked arm in D-1, averaging better than 280 yards in accumulating 20 touchdowns and 1804 yards. Both teams are coming off convincing wins last week.
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