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.
Showing posts with label Saint Louis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Saint Louis. Show all posts
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Saints march to No. 1
No surprise here.
Star-Bulletin: Top 10 poll
If you were at Aloha Stadium on Friday night (or read my story in the Star-Bulletin), you know that the Saint Louis-Kahuku game was a close one until the final quarter. Saint Louis, a bit rusty on offense, was up to the task on defense. The Crusaders limited Kahuku to 120 rushing yards en route to a 21-6 win.
Kahuku will work on its mistakes for the next 10 days before flying out to Utah to play Bingham. Saint Louis is back on the gridiron this weekend at Kailua. Get there early. Parking can and will fill up easily and quickly, leaving latecomers with street parking. If you don't mind the walk, you'll be fine.
Not surprsingly, Saint Louis ascended to the No. 1 ranking in the Star-Bulletin Football Top 10. While Kahuku received some votes as low as No. 5, the Red Raiders tallied enough support to fall only one spot to No. 2.
Kamehameha will finally make its debut under new coach David Stant this weekend. The Warriors go to Castle, a team that is smarting after a one-sided loss at Mililani. It's early and there are a ton of questions about teams up and down the Top 10, but for now, Saint Louis is a clearly, unanimously, the best in the state.
Star-Bulletin: Top 10 poll
If you were at Aloha Stadium on Friday night (or read my story in the Star-Bulletin), you know that the Saint Louis-Kahuku game was a close one until the final quarter. Saint Louis, a bit rusty on offense, was up to the task on defense. The Crusaders limited Kahuku to 120 rushing yards en route to a 21-6 win.
Kahuku will work on its mistakes for the next 10 days before flying out to Utah to play Bingham. Saint Louis is back on the gridiron this weekend at Kailua. Get there early. Parking can and will fill up easily and quickly, leaving latecomers with street parking. If you don't mind the walk, you'll be fine.
Not surprsingly, Saint Louis ascended to the No. 1 ranking in the Star-Bulletin Football Top 10. While Kahuku received some votes as low as No. 5, the Red Raiders tallied enough support to fall only one spot to No. 2.
Kamehameha will finally make its debut under new coach David Stant this weekend. The Warriors go to Castle, a team that is smarting after a one-sided loss at Mililani. It's early and there are a ton of questions about teams up and down the Top 10, but for now, Saint Louis is a clearly, unanimously, the best in the state.
Footballholics Anonymous
Yep, it's in full gear now. Rumblin', stumblin', tumblin'.
Catch up with scores on the football forum with my scoreboard, which is updated every day with story links from across the state and freshly-brewed scores.
The Top 10 countdown series that I recently completed in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin is just a heavy pupu platter. Coming up in the next few days are previews of the OIA Red and White Conferences, as well as the new Top 10. I was originally against our Top 10 countdown. Just seemed way too early to ask coaches and media for ballots on August 2. Players hadn't even gotten their pads on, let alone start scrimmaging.
I was wrong. My bosses have pretty good instincts, and so far, I've gotten a huge number of unsolicited comments about the countdown. Not a single negative opinion. Hard for me to believe it's that one-sided, but that's the truth. Of course, a poll that early will be more wrong than right, and Saint Louis proved this to be true by knocking down Kahuku 21-6 on Friday.
No surprises there. Kahuku has 96 players to analyze and played a bunch of them, perhaps all. The offense showed a lot more than it did in last year's opener against Punahou because they had an OC and a playbook intact this time. Jray Galeai has a ton of potential, but coach Reggie Torres emphasizes that his new quarterback needs time to settle in. He runs well, makes good decisions on the option, and has a nice throwing touch. Even with a one-dimensional offense last year, Kahuku won the state title. Drawing up a defensive gameplan against the Red Raiders this fall won't be quite as simple.
Saint Louis, as expected, was tough and most of the time looked like it was in mid-season form. Micah Mamiya had total command and the Crusaders were content to sit in a shotgun formation for much of the game. That allowed Mamiya to make quick decisions and unload the ball if the pass rush was heavy. They didn't let him run the option until the second half, but I was surprised they let him run it at all considering last year's shoulder injury in the state semifinal. I suppose they can't coddle him forever, plus it gives opposing teams something else to work on when they see the video. They did show both shotgun two-back and pistol formations, as have a few other teams this season.
One of them is Punahou, which didn't run the option at all. I thought that was a possibility with Kimo Makaula (6-2, 210) at quarterback, but he stood there in the pocket like Brett Kan. The Buffanblu showed their I formation in addition to the pistol and shotgun sets, including the two-back. Cayman Shutte's background as a quarterback in the Punahou system showed brilliantly yesterday in the 56-18 win over McKinley. His timing and coordination with receivers was impeccable.
Coach Kale Ane insists there's no controversy, and I agree. Makaula, the ex-linebacker, is a good mid-range passer who will be tough to bring down. He never looked flustered yesterday throwing the ball, and time will give him a chance to become a better ballhandler (two fumbles). Shutte, who was 10-for-11 with four touchdowns, took advantage of McKinley's press coverage. His timing with receiver Robbie Toma, who had a huge game, was uncanny.
I don't think I want to miss a single Punahou game this season. And yes, though it was hot at Alexander Field, I would rather see all games played in the afternoon. There's nothing like it, and it would render electrical issues meaningless.
A game that ends before sundown gives families and friends a chance to hang out together afterwards. Fellowship should count for something in high school sports, and that comes more naturally when there's time. A night game? I understand the importance of gate revenue, and the economics of high school sports revolves around football income. What I hope for is a societal change, a collective mentality of what's best for the kids. I see that with afternoon football, not with evening games that often end closer to 11 p.m. than 10.
Catch up with scores on the football forum with my scoreboard, which is updated every day with story links from across the state and freshly-brewed scores.
The Top 10 countdown series that I recently completed in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin is just a heavy pupu platter. Coming up in the next few days are previews of the OIA Red and White Conferences, as well as the new Top 10. I was originally against our Top 10 countdown. Just seemed way too early to ask coaches and media for ballots on August 2. Players hadn't even gotten their pads on, let alone start scrimmaging.
I was wrong. My bosses have pretty good instincts, and so far, I've gotten a huge number of unsolicited comments about the countdown. Not a single negative opinion. Hard for me to believe it's that one-sided, but that's the truth. Of course, a poll that early will be more wrong than right, and Saint Louis proved this to be true by knocking down Kahuku 21-6 on Friday.
No surprises there. Kahuku has 96 players to analyze and played a bunch of them, perhaps all. The offense showed a lot more than it did in last year's opener against Punahou because they had an OC and a playbook intact this time. Jray Galeai has a ton of potential, but coach Reggie Torres emphasizes that his new quarterback needs time to settle in. He runs well, makes good decisions on the option, and has a nice throwing touch. Even with a one-dimensional offense last year, Kahuku won the state title. Drawing up a defensive gameplan against the Red Raiders this fall won't be quite as simple.
Saint Louis, as expected, was tough and most of the time looked like it was in mid-season form. Micah Mamiya had total command and the Crusaders were content to sit in a shotgun formation for much of the game. That allowed Mamiya to make quick decisions and unload the ball if the pass rush was heavy. They didn't let him run the option until the second half, but I was surprised they let him run it at all considering last year's shoulder injury in the state semifinal. I suppose they can't coddle him forever, plus it gives opposing teams something else to work on when they see the video. They did show both shotgun two-back and pistol formations, as have a few other teams this season.
One of them is Punahou, which didn't run the option at all. I thought that was a possibility with Kimo Makaula (6-2, 210) at quarterback, but he stood there in the pocket like Brett Kan. The Buffanblu showed their I formation in addition to the pistol and shotgun sets, including the two-back. Cayman Shutte's background as a quarterback in the Punahou system showed brilliantly yesterday in the 56-18 win over McKinley. His timing and coordination with receivers was impeccable.
Coach Kale Ane insists there's no controversy, and I agree. Makaula, the ex-linebacker, is a good mid-range passer who will be tough to bring down. He never looked flustered yesterday throwing the ball, and time will give him a chance to become a better ballhandler (two fumbles). Shutte, who was 10-for-11 with four touchdowns, took advantage of McKinley's press coverage. His timing with receiver Robbie Toma, who had a huge game, was uncanny.
I don't think I want to miss a single Punahou game this season. And yes, though it was hot at Alexander Field, I would rather see all games played in the afternoon. There's nothing like it, and it would render electrical issues meaningless.
A game that ends before sundown gives families and friends a chance to hang out together afterwards. Fellowship should count for something in high school sports, and that comes more naturally when there's time. A night game? I understand the importance of gate revenue, and the economics of high school sports revolves around football income. What I hope for is a societal change, a collective mentality of what's best for the kids. I see that with afternoon football, not with evening games that often end closer to 11 p.m. than 10.
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