Pupule's Top 20

Time for some shuffling. Here's how I voted in today's Star-Bulletin Football Top 10.

1. Saint Louis (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Kahuku 21-6
This week: at Kailua
Crusaders have some work to do, but what they've already done supercedes all opposition. They had the physical power to contain Kahuku's lethal ground attack. They were superior on special teams, which is never surprising. The offense will come around, and when it does, Saint Louis will be explosive. Mamiya's return is the biggest plus of all, and when he regains his accuracy, this group of receivers will show how good it can be.

2. Punahou (1-0-0)
Last week: def. McKinley 56-18
This week: bye
Buffanblu have a lot of strengths at the skill positions and an experienced defensive unit. Sloppy tackling, however, will be a focal point after the unit gave up two long touchdown passes to McKinley.

3. Kahuku (0-1-0)
Last week: lost to Saint Louis 21-6
This week: bye
Red Raiders have great potential, but as Reggie Torres says, they need time. Jray Galeai is getting more comfortable with the offense. Strong arm, great wheels, only a junior. Kahuku defense stood strong despite poor field position for much of the second half against Saint Louis.

4. Baldwin (0-0-0)
Last week: did not play
This week: at Kamehameha-Hawaii, Friday
Bears slide one spot in my ballot only because Punahou executed so well on Saturday against McKinley. Perhaps the most explosive passing attack in the state. The O-line is relatively young and will be tested this weekend.

5. Mililani (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Castle 43-6
This week: bye
Trojans are always tough at home and proved it with a rout of Castle. The Darnell Arceneaux era is off to a bullish start.

6. Waianae (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Farrington 21-7
This week: bye
I can hardly wait for the Mililani-Waianae showdown.

7. Kamehameha (0-0-0)
Last week: did not play
This week: at Castle
Almost unfair to gauge a team that hasn't played yet. If the Warriors win, but don't blow out Castle — a proud program that returns home this week — voters will give Mililani more votes. That's not fair since emotion is a huge part of prep football. Castle will likely respond well to last weekend's loss at Mililani, and it usually plays well at home. Castle led Saint Louis before losing last season 17-13.

8. Aiea (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Kaimuki 21-7
This week: bye
Na Alii beat a solid Kaimuki squad, and yet Iolani zoomed into the Star-Bulletin Top 10 and landed above Aiea. Never underestimate the power of a good returning quarterback (Keenan Naeole).

9. Iolani (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Kaiser 44-0
This week: vs. Kalaheo, Saturday
Raiders rolled big over alumni and Kaiser coach Pat Samsonas at the Father Bray Classic. Big test for the ILH's defending D-II champion this weekend. Kalaheo is coming off a 43-0 win at Nanakuli. Afternoon football at Iolani hasn't been kind to OIA teams recently, though.

10. Lahainaluna (0-0-0)
Last week: did not play
This week: vs. Waiakea, Saturday
Often underrated, the Lunas are West Maui's favorite sons this time of year. Physical, disciplined and tricky with that Wing T offense.

More?

11. Leilehua (0-0-0)
Last week: won at Kailua 6-3
This week: bye
The Mules' offensive success in recent years may not prepare fans for baseball scores, but this is going to be more of the norm. Leilehua has led the OIA Red West in total defense the past two seasons and the trend continues. Can't fight the trend.

12. Farrington (0-1-0)
Last week: lost at Waianae 21-7
This week: vs. Damien, Kunuiakea Stadium, Saturday
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.

13. Kapolei (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Damien 14-0
This week: vs. McKinley, Roosevelt Stadium, Saturday
Hurricanes are on a mission. So much talent has departed in recent years, but they keep reloading. Damien provided basic run-first football. McKinley will be more familiar — a run-and-shoot/flex option offense with big-play potential.

14. Pac-Five (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Radford 21-12
This week: at Moanalua, Saturday
Every year, the Wolf Pack holds its own against OIA teams, then faces a mountain in the ILH. So far, so good.

15. Kealakehe (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Scotts Valley (Calif.) 23-21
This week: bye
Good news: Waveriders won their opener under a new coach. Bad news: Offense scored only one touchdown.

16. Kauai (1-0-0)
Last week: def. Keaau 35-6
This week: at Hilo, Friday
Keaau is D-I in name, but hasn't been a strong program since the school opened nearly 10 years ago. Hilo will provide much better competition for the Red Raiders. Classic matchup of opposites. Kauai's run-and-shoot versus Hilo's rugged defense. Hilo veteran Albert Kawalu against first-year Kauai coach Derek Borrero.

17. Kamehameha-Hawaii (0-0-0)
Last week: did not play
This week: vs. Baldwin, Friday
This team is 17th when Kolten Wong is on the field. He's been busy with baseball, you may have heard.

18. Kailua (0-1-0)
Last week: lost to Leilehua 6-3
This week: vs. Saint Louis, Friday
A lot of raised expectations on the Windward side for the Surfriders and gentleman coach Gary Rosolowich.

19. Damien (0-1-0)
Last week: lost at Kapolei 14-0
This week: vs. Farrington, Kunuiakea Stadium, Saturday
Monarchs want to make a statement against neighborhood rival Farrington.

20. Kalaheo (1-0-0)
Last week: won at Nanakuli 44-0
This week: at Iolani, Saturday
Biggest game for Kalaheo in recent memory is a few days away. Senior quarterback Cody vonAppen is a key, steadying factor for Coach Mellor's squad.

OK, maybe I panicked

The burn blisters on my left wrist ...

Not so bad. I realized later yesterday that this is probably what happened:

> Sweaty arm
> Watch slides down
> Scorching hot sun raises temperature of metal watch
> Hot watch burns my wrist

The blisters are somewhat circular, too, which closes my thesis that it was the metal of the watch that scarred me, not just the ultraviolet rays of the sun. But enough about that.

Saw Bob Hogue, the coach/senator/public address announcer/game broadcaster at Farrington this afternoon. The season is nearing and all of us in the sports media are closing in on the top teams for information. For those of us who have made it to scrimmages, there's some info to work with.

Unfortunately for me, I was driving around the island to photo shoots and missed all scrimmages, so what I hear from coaches and other watchers is all I have for now. This Friday, though, the nonconference schedule kicks off ... I expect some sloppy play, especially since two-a-day practices are history for public schools. Illegal procedure, offside and general lack of conditioning will be prolific. This is really the first time in the state's prep football history that DOE schools have missed out on team camps and two-a-days.

Players are happy for the break, old timers scoff at the easier preseason preparation and media have to race around the island since photo shoots are bunched up in the afternoons. That's the life we chose.

Three days away from opening kickoff. Holy crud how did this happen so quick?

Farrington at No. 10

Yeah, I know you want prep football news. So here it is.

Star-Bulletin: Govs open at No. 10 in prep poll

Today marks Day 1 of a new project initiated by my bosses at the Star-Bulletin. A preseason Top 10 poll, highlighting one team each day.

Good idea. I'm not big on polls this early in the season, but the coaches and media came through with their ballots and we have our Top 10. I love polling in general, so it was fun as always.

Farrington is in an interesting space. The system is in place. Coaching and administrative leadership is outstanding. A ton of starters are back on defense. Developing former backups into starters is what the Govs are focusing on now. This is a team that tied Kahuku in the OIA Red East standings last season, so a No. 10 ranking might be a bit underwhelming.

We'll see soon enough. Farrington is in the public eye for many reasons, but the one I think is most important is this: despite ups and downs in the community and on campus, the football program has been par excellance in motion. Senior leadership has been superb and serves a positive role.

There's nothing flashy about humility and consistency, but that's what the Govs have, top to bottom. That's one reason why I always enjoy covering Farrington sports.

Well, the BBQ chicken and burgers don't hurt, either.