Pupule Pigskin Picks, Week 2, Aug. 24-25

Week 1 record: 13-1-1. Sounds nice, but at the prep level, anything below 90% is really not good. So, I'm kind of on the bubble.

Week 2: No fooling around for many teams as regular-season play begins. The schedule makers didn't hold back, that's for sure. It's time to put on the hat and bring it.

OIA Red
Mililani at Waianae
Friday. Talk about a whopper. I wish I could leave town early, stop by Waianae Starbucks, kick back in the air conditioning with a vanilla frapuccino, then stop by Tasty Freeze for a burger and homemade french fries with the awesome mustard-mayo sauce ... but it ain't gonna happen. Got things to do until 4 p.m. in town, so I'll be lucky to be out of traffic and on Farrington Highway by 5, and by then, it's straight to Torii Field because of the traffic tie-up that normally clogs the Nanakuli area. Who wins this game? I think Waianae will find its identity after a few games. So many new faces on defense, but plenty of talent. Mililani will bring enough weaponry to stay close. Pupule says: Trojans 16, Seariders 14.

Campbell at Aiea
Saturday. Sabers lost out on game-speed experience when thieves vandalized their stadium last week before a nonconference game. Aiea is ahead of a lot of teams because of Keenan Naeole and his talented receivers. Pupule says: Na Alii 29, Sabers 19.

Radford at Leilehua
Saturday. Oh man, this doesn't get more intense. Old rivals in a huge showdown. Rams are young and Coach Fred Salanoa is downplaying his team's status as a potential contender. True, the Rams are young, but Salanoa and his staff are terrific. Mules are looking for an offensive identity since the graduation of All-State quarterback Bryant Moniz. Pupule says: Mules 14, Rams 7.

OIA White
Waipahu at Waialua
Friday. Both teams searching for new offensive focal points, but Waipahu has the edge with running back Keo Palimoo. Can Waipahu's defense corral new Bulldog quarterback Donovan Mata? If the answer is yes, Waipahu starts the rugged White schedule with a 'W.' Pupule says: Marauders 20, Bulldogs 12.

Nanakuli at Pearl City
Friday. Golden Hawks have experience, but last week's loss to Kalaheo was a wake-up call. Can the Hawks contain Chargers' running back Antoin DeWalt? Not many teams have. Pupule says: Chargers 27, Golden Hawks 14.

Kalani at Roosevelt
Friday. Possibly the two smallest teams in the league. Kalani is in building mode, while Roosevelt has experience and skill at quarterback. Pupule says: Rough Riders 34, Falcons 20.

Anuenue vs. Kaimuki
Saturday at Kaiser Stadium. These teams were in a close game last year until Anuenue ran out of gas in the fourth quarter. Now, Na Koa are older, stronger, faster ... but Kaimuki is deeper. Will the Bulldogs learn new coach Darren Johnson's system quickly? Or will Anuenue's cohesion and run-and-shoot offense show some new wrinkles? Tough call. Pupule says: Bulldogs 30, Na Koa 27.

Nonconference
South East (Calif.) at Maui
Thursday. Can't find anything about South East on the net right now. Maxpreps.com is down. Doh!

Hilo at Kauai
Friday. Vikings will bring old school football to Vidinha Stadium. Coach Albert Kawelu believes in run-first offense and hard-nosed defense. The Red Raiders won in coach Derek Borrrero's debut last week. Interesting matchup of contrasts. Pupule says: Red Raiders 24, Viks 14.

Komabagakuin at Kapaa
Friday. Never heard of the team from Japan. Have to take a pass here.

Kwansei at King Kekaulike
I've seen Kwansei play before. Back in the 1990s, they came to the Big Island and shut out then-perennial BIIF champion Konawaena 26-0. Kwansei back then was a West Coast offense team, extremely precise and technically sound. Their coach had gone to the U.S. and spent time under the tutelage of Bill Walsh. King K better be ready. Pupule says: Kwansei 26, Na Alii 17.

Baldwin at Kamehameha-Hawaii
Friday. The Bears are on the road, and big gun Jordan Helle is battling injury. KS-Hawaii lost a lot of talent last year, but could get a boost if Kolten Wong suits up. MIL's D-1 champion versus BIIF's D-2 champ. Pupule says: Bears 27, Warriors 15.

Konawaena at Waimea
Friday. Wildcats are struggling, Menehunes are ramping up. Pupule says: Waimea 41, Konawaena 16.

Saint Louis at Kailua
Friday. Crusaders don't want to risk injury to anyone, especially quarterback Micah Mamiya, but they have a history of playing all out regardless of the situation. Won't be easy against an improved Surfrider squad. A year ago, Saint Louis went to Castle and rallied in the second half for a close win. Pupule says: Crusaders 31, Surfriders 13.

Ft. McMurray at St. Anthony
Saturday. Damn. I need help with Ft. McMurray info. Maxpreps please fix your site!

Waiakea at Lahainaluna
Saturday. Lunas finally get the game unis on. Pupule says: Lunas 34, Warriors 14.

Kalaheo at Iolani
Saturday. Big, big test for the uprising Mustangs. Their biggest test in years. OIA teams have not fared well at Eddie Hamada Field in recent years. Iolani is ranked in the Star-Bulletin Top 10 now, but last week's win over Kaiser wasn't a strong test. Kalaheo quarterback Cody vonAppen is a savvy quarterback who makes smart plays that don't show up in the stats. Pupule says: Raiders 44, Mustangs 35.

Farrington vs. Damien, Kunuiakea Stadium
Saturday. Battle of Houghtailing Street. This is basic smashmouth football at its best. Pupule says: Govs 20, Monarchs 14.

Kapolei vs. McKinley, Roosevelt field
Saturday. Interesting matchup. Despite the lopsided loss at Punahou last week, McKinley has some considerable talent on the field. Kapolei, though, has a very solid system and a potentially great defense (re: shutout of Damien last week). Pupule says: Hurricanes 20, Tigers 16.

Kamehameha at Castle
Saturday. Warriors have waited all summer to get on the field and butt heads with someone else. Pupule says: Warriors 28, Knights 14.

Pac-Five at Moanalua
Saturday. Intriguing matchup of two teams with some new faces. Moanalua has incumbent Jordan Monico at quarterback. He's arguably the toughest QB to bring down in the state, projects as a linebacker or safety in college, imho. Pac-Five defense is stellar, led by Aaron Tipoti and a tough linebacking corps. Pupule says: Wolfpack 23, Na Menehune 21.