Kahuku players converge on a Moanalua ball carrier during a scrimmage. Peter Caldwell | SL

Purchase image 1 of 2

Kapolei's Trensten Sprangling powers his way in for a score in a scrimmage against Saint Louis. Tyler Kanoa | SL

Purchase image 2 of 2

The official kickoff to the 2014 prep football season is still a week away, but things got underway Thursday with numerous scrimmages across Oahu. ScoringLive attended several of those scrimmages and our reporters offer these early observations.

KAPOLEI at SAINT LOUIS — Kalani Takase, SL Reporter
KALAEPOHAKU — There were lots of big bodies on both sides of the ball, but most impressive was the 'Canes ability to run the ball — particularly up the middle of the Crusaders' defense. Running backs Trensten Spragling (5-8, 170, Sr.) and Ronald Young (5-10, 200, Sr.) picked up big yards behind a huge offensive line anchored by tackles Villiamu Auwae (6-6, 275, Sr.) and Pesi Savea (6-8, 310, Sr.). Ronald Matautia (5-11, 205, Sr.), who transferred from Waianae with Spragling, played mainly at linebacker, but also got some touches in short-yardage situations at running back. Quarterback Alton Julius (6-1, 210, Sr.) struggled at times with accuracy on deep routes, but showed some nice touch when rolling out of the pocket.

Other observations:
-Ryder Kuhns started at QB for Saint Louis and threw for a pair of touchdowns and ran for another in three drives. Kuhns, a senior and the incumbent, appears to have a slight edge on sophomore Tua Tagavailoa, who was at the controls for two drives.
-Saint Louis junior wide receiver Drew Kobayashi appears ready for a breakout season in 2014. The tall and lean Kobayashi burned the Kapolei defense for an 80-yard touchdown pass from Kuhns on the Crusaders' first play from scrimmage.
-The biggest question mark for Saint Louis — a squad that is simply loaded with talent and athleticism — is its run-defense. Spragling and Young broke several arm tackles at the second and third levels after busting through the line of scrimmage.

FARRINGTON at KAMEHAMEHA — Shawn Sueoka, SL contributor
KAPALAMA HEIGHTS — Only School Street separates the Farrington Governors and the Kamehameha Warriors in Thursday afternoon's scrimmage. The passing offenses were behind schedule as the first three possessions for both teams ended in punts. The Governors and Warriors stuck to their ground games and eventually found some success with their passing games. Stars like defensive linemen Breiden Fehoko, of Farrington, and running back Kaulana Apelu and defensive linemen Mika Tafua, of Kamehameha, sat out to nurse their bothersome injuries.

Other observations:
-Senior QB Montana Liana started off slow, but looked like a true senior offensive leader for the Govs.
-Junior QB Fatu Sua-Godinet looked shaky in his first outing, while his backup, junior Kekona Neuman led an impressive 12-play touchdown drive in his first opportunity.
-Farrington senior RB Ranan Mamiya, who played quarterback and safety at Saint Francis last year, scored on a 44-yard touchdown run.
-The Warriors won the turnover battle two interceptions to one.

KAHUKU at MOANALUA — Brandon Ching, SL Reporter
SALT LAKE — Despite introducing new head coaches in the offseason, it doesn't seem like much has changed for the Kahuku and Moanalua offenses. Kahuku still looks big upfront on the offensive line and will rely on their running game to wear down opponents. Moanalua seems like they are running the same offensive sets as last year, showing multiple spread formations and motioning the slot receiver. Here are some observations:

Other observations:
-Kesi Ah Hoy appears to be the lightning for Kahuku's running game. He scored two TDs: one for 80 yards and another for 11 yards and had a long run of 25 yards. He definitely gives the Red Raiders a change of pace and during his long runs, he displayed good vision and made tacklers miss in the open field.
-Kahuku QB Tuli Wily-Matagi will need to work on his accuracy as the passing game is a work in progress, but the defensive line looked aggressive and made life difficult for Moanalua QB Kawika Jacobe and stifled the running game.
-Moanalua SB Jason Sharsh returns and provides Jacobe a great target down field. Sharsh hauled in two TD passes. Karson Cruz and Rodson Kealohi should also provide good receiving targets. Jacobe displayed some mobility to buy himself time, but the offensive line is a work in progress at this point.

CAMPBELL at PEARL CITY — Stacy Kaneshiro, SL Reporter
PEARL CITY — Division I contender Campbell scored early and often (about six scores) against Division II Pearl City in a control scrimmage at Bino Neves Stadium. Abiel Taito, whose primary position is safety, started Campbell's first offensive series at quarterback. He scrambled for a 75-yard touchdown on the second play of the day. Junior tailback Terrell Johnson, who played JV last year, had several nice runs, while spelling last year's starter, Austin May, who is nursing a sore shoulder. The Sabers, some 60 or so strong, will make their final cuts after they host McKinley, 9 a.m. Saturday, in another controlled scrimmage. The Chargers looked like a team that lost 33 players to graduation; nearly. Second-year coach Robin Kami said about three-fourths of the team is new. Pearl City will visit Moanalua for another scrimmage set for about 8 p.m. Saturday.

Other observations:
-Taito is the probable starting QB in next Friday's non-league game at Kahuku, as well as the regular-season opener Aug. 15 at Castle. Projected starting QB Ezra Savea, a transfer from Kapolei, is not eligible those two weeks because of academic probation.
-Campbell's All-Hawaii defensive back Solomon Matautia took some reps at wide receiver in the scrimmage. His primary position is on defense, but will be used in spot situations, Campbell coach Amosa Amosa said. Matautia was especially effective on bubble screens because of his knack for making tacklers miss.

PAC-FIVE at MCKINLEY — Jared Kanoa, SL contributor
HONOLULU — McKinley WR/QB Nino Mitchell scored big on two booming runs out of the wide receiver position going for 79 and 62 yards. Both TD runs came off a fly sweep where Mitchell weaved passed Pac-Five defenders en route to the end zone. Mitchell, a transfer from North Carolina where he played quarterback, is playing his first season here in the islands for McKinley. With his explosive speed and excellent vision he is poised to have a breakout year come the regular season. The Wolfpack leaned heavily on their passing game throwing a total of 38 time with one touchdown while only running the ball only once.

Other observations:
-McKinley ran the ball 19 times for three touchdowns.
-Pac-Five QB Kainoa Ferreira went 11-for-18 passing with one TD.
-Other standouts for the Tigers were QB/WR/RB Micah Kerisiano, RB/LB Christian Lettiller while QB Ryan Johnson, S John Black and WR Tsubasa Brennan made some nice plays for the Wolf Pack.