Pupule's Top 20 (Aug 26)

Here's how I plan to vote today. Subject to change by the 3 p.m. deadline.

1. Saint Louis 2-0-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: def. Kailua 48-7
This week: at Aiea, Friday
Room for improvement? Of course. That would be scary, indeed.

2. Punahou 1-0-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: did not play
This week: at Leilehua, Saturday
A bye week works in Punahou's favor, with so much competition for playing time. Intriguing matchup between Punahou's offense and Leilehua's defense.

3. Kahuku 0-1-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: did not play
This week: at Bingham (Utah), Friday
Huge week for the Red Raiders. Bingham is a defending state champion. Kahuku is a defending state champion. Winning in Utah isn't easy. Ever.

4. Baldwin 1-0-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: won at Kamehameha-Hawaii 29-0
This week: vs. San Clemente (Calif.), Thursday
Key starters sat out the KS-Hawaii game and the Bears still won handily.

5. Waianae 2-0-0 (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Mililani 13-9
This week: vs. Iolani, Friday
Game with Mililani was terrific. Waianae's offense still working out the kinks, as expected, but the defense was spectacular in the second half.

6. Kamehameha 1-0-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: won at Castle 21-12
This week: vs. Campbell, Saturday
Big road win in Coach David Stant's debut. Remember, Castle led Saint Louis before losing 17-13 last year.

7. Mililani 1-1-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: lost at Waianae 13-9
This week: vs. Pac-Five, Saturday
Offense moved the chains well in the first half, but didn't overcome Waianae's tactical moves. Next step in Trojan evolution: either insert a punishing big back (when defenses go small as Waianae did) or move Dalaunte "Taz" Stevenson back to RB.

8. Kapolei 2-0-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: def. McKinley 42-27
This week: bye
Hurricanes have a lot of balance, size and speed on defense. Big question marks at RB and WR.

9. Kalaheo 2-0-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: won at Iolani 28-25
This week: vs. Moanalua, Saturday
The Mustangs confirmed their status with a big win at Iolani. For me, the Iolani matchup was a clear turning point for the program under Coach Chris Mellor. Winning at Nanakuli the week before was good, but now the Mustangs know they belong with ranked teams.

10. Lahainaluna 1-0-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: def. Waiakea 48-0
This week: vs. Bonita Vista (Calif.), Friday
Lunas move on to this week's big tussle — the only home game for the team left this season.

More?

11. Leilehua 2-0-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: def. Radford 41-0
This week: vs. Punahou, Friday
Mule defense has allowed just three points in two games. Major test coming soon.

12. Aiea 1-0-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: vs. Campbell, suspension pending
This week: vs. Saint Louis, Friday
Na Alii won the game with Campbell 33-26, but a post-game fracas has the result in limbo.

13. Farrington 0-1-1 (0-1-0)
Last week: tied Damien 14-all, Kunuiakea Stadium
This week: at Kailua, Friday
Very little time for the Governors to rest after a loss on the road at Waianae. These are excellent testing grounds for a team that has potential. Damien will be just as ornery after a road loss to Kapolei.

14. Damien 0-1-1 (0-0-0)
Last week: tied Farrington 14-all, Kunuiakea Stadium
Monarchs haven't won yet, but have competed well with higher-ranked teams (Kapolei and Farrington).

15. Iolani 1-1-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: lost to Kalaheo 28-25
This week: at Waianae, Friday
Raiders have some work to do, and though veteran coach Wendell Look won't use youth as an excuse, the team looked young in the loss to Kalaheo. The good news is that they'll learn quickly if program history is any indication.

16. Kauai 2-0-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: won at Hilo 40-0
Red Raiders have outscored opponents 75-6.

17. Kealakehe 1-0-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: did not play
This week: at Honokaa, Saturday
Only one nonconference game for the Waveriders, and now the BIIF season starts. Frankly, Kealakehe could have a great team and never be tested until states. BIIF is a solid D-II league in reality.

18. Castle 0-2-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: lost to Kamehameha 21-12
This week: vs. McKinley, Roosevelt Stadium, Saturday
Knights bounce back with a proud effort at home. No surprise there.

19. Moanalua 1-0-1 (0-0-0)
Last week: def. Pac-Five 28-7
This week: vs. Kalaheo, Kailua Stadium, Saturday
Na Menehune are rising to the challenge even without Jordan Monico.

20. Pearl City 1-0-1 (0-0-0)
Last week: def. Nanakuli 35-14
This week: vs. Kaimuki, Friday
Chargers rely on Antoin DeWalt. Heavily.

21. Waimea 2-0-0 (0-0-0)
Last week: def. Konawaena 13-0
This week: vs. Ft. McMurray (Canada), Saturday
Another game at the old Hanapepe Ballpark.

Polls: The equivalent of whipped cream. Enjoy, but don't substitute for real food.