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A delayed season




On a weekly basis, ScoringLive's "Da Five" will pose five questions revelant to the prep sports world, and get responses from five different individuals. What results will hopefully provide multiple angles of insight and analysis for fans to take in.

The first-ever edition of "Da Five" has members of the ScoringLive crew weighing in on the effects of Iselle. They also look ahead to the weekend and offer their opinions on certain aspects.

1. What game last week were you most bummed about getting cancelled?

Michael Lasquero, SL reporter: Kamehameha at Waianae. It’s exciting to watch the speedsters in pass league do their thing, but nothing beats a good old battle in the trenches. Kamehameha and Waianae are generally two teams strong up front. A good ole' power running game, grind out matchup is one that I’ve been waiting for all summer.

Shawn Sueoka, SL contributor: It’s hard to say you could be bummed about any game in particular. There were so many great first round games and the buzz that comes with the first week of games. I would have say that I was bummed in general to have the opening week of the football season delayed.

Brandon Ching, SL reporter: I would say the games I was assigned to cover. Being that it's a new season, I was looking forward to opening kickoff this past weekend and a lot of us from SL have been itching to cover a football game for the first time in months. I feel for all the players and coaches who have been working hard all off-season only to have it delayed another week. 

Kalani Takase, SL reporter: Campbell at Kahuku. I was quite interested to see two things in particular from this game: 1) The Sabers post-Isaac Hurd and 2) The Red Raiders' energy in Lee Leslie's debut. I thought that could potentially be the most tightly-contested game of the week.

Brien Ing, SL founder: The game I was the most bummed over was the one we were set to broadcast live, No. 3 Saint Louis visiting No. 2 Mililani at Kauinana Stadium. Fortunately for fans and players though, the game was rescheduled, and the state will get a second-chance at seeing two of the best in the state battle this coming Saturday.

2. Who got hurt the most with the cancellation of games?

Lasquero: Punahou, and a lesser extent, the OIA’s new format. With Punahou’s meeting with Leilehua canned, the defending champions currently do not have a non-league game scheduled before their ILH-opener with Saint Louis. Not good when the ILH regular season champion has a boosted chance into the state tourney. For the OIA’s new format, last week’s cancellations showed the downside of having only one non-league game. Hopefully next year will have a better success.

Sueoka: All the Big Island teams and their families suffered the most for having to endure Tropical Strom Iselle. On Oahu I'd have to say that all the OIA teams because now their first game is a divisional game rather than an interleague game that wouldn't count towards their division record.

Ching: I think mostly the OIA schools who have to start the regular season this week and also Punahou. The Buffanblu were supposed to play Leilehua this past weekend and their next game will be against Saint Louis in the ILH opener which is on Aug. 29. The preseason is a great way for teams to get the kinks out and it gives the players game experience you may not get from practices or controlled scrimmages. By the time the ILH season starts, the Crusaders will have two games under their belts so it will interesting to see how the defending state champs respond.

Takase: Kind of a cop-out answer, but I'll say the kids themselves. Most teams have been working out (weight lifting, conditioning, etc.) since early this calendar year and with an average of just seven to eight games for the entire season, each game carries a lot of weight.

Ing: It was sort of a lost opportunity for all teams scheduled to play in the opening week, despite the benefit of giving injured players some extra rest. I guess feeling the hurt the most are those OIA teams that are now forced to hit the ground running (so to speak) with league play instead of being able to work some kinks out in at least one real game that ‘doesn’t count.'

3. What matchup this weekend is the most intriguing?

Lasquero: Kapolei at Kahuku. You have two top ten teams playing with a new offensive coordinator. Darren Johnson replaces Jason Cauley as offensive coordinator at Kapolei and new Kahuku coach Lee Leslie brings a wide-open attack to the table. After Kapolei’s scrimmage with Saint Louis, a lot has been said about the Hurricanes’ offensive line. A meeting with perennial power Kahuku should validate whether or not the line is for real. It is also worth noting that Kahuku has not lost a home game since 2007 — which coincidentally came at the hands of Kapolei in the OIA quarterfinals.

Sueoka: Besides the obvious Mililani vs Saint Louis matchup the next is the OIA with cross division teams playing each other from the Red and Blue will give us new matchups we only see in the post season. Particularity Kapolei at Kahuku and Moanalua at Waianae.

Ching: Saint Louis at Mililani. This could potentially be a preview for the state championship game if both teams are able to survive their respective divisions and make their way through the state tournament. However, I think Mino Jiyu Gakuen (Japan) at 'Iolani this Saturday will be intriguing. It's neat that the game of football has expanded internationally and although the communication and language will be different, the rules are pretty much the same.

Takase: Kapolei at Kahuku. I think both teams have a lot to prove. There are tons of storylines with this one. Darren Johnson was with Kahuku last year as an assistant and he's now the OC at Kapolei. This should be a battle of two teams trying to establish themselves as hard-nosed, smash-mouth squads.

Ing: Kapolei visiting Kahuku is the one that most intrigues me personally. The Hurricanes ran the ball with some authority and power against the Crusaders in a July scrimmage, and I think Kapolei definitely has the size and strength to counter what we’ve come to expect from Kahuku perennially in the same regard. Add to that the first page in the next chapter of Red Raider football with Lee Leslie at the helm, and you’ve got a recipe for an interesting football game.

4. What team has the biggest chance at a upset victory this week?

Lasquero: Moanalua over Waianae. With first-year head coach Jason Cauley at the helm, Moanalua’s offense will keep them in games and competitive. This will also be Na Menehune quarterback Kawika Jacobe's return back to Waianae so he should feel right at home. The Seariders is generally a team to start off slow, before getting hot into the playoffs.

Sueoka: Kauai and Konawaena catches my eye in a possible upset this week. Although it would be a minimal upset. The Wildcats upending the KIF defending champions and the Division II State runner up from a year ago would be quite the accomplishment. You can guarantee after Isselle and all the damage caused the people of the Big Island will need some uplifting. What better way than a Division II upset of the Red Raiders.

Ching: Kapolei. I think this game will come down to controlling the line of scrimmage. The Hurricanes have big boys on their o-line and if they can gel, play smart, and create holes for their running backs it will eat up the clock and it will keep Kahuku's offense off the field. If the defense can stop the Red Raider run game, I think it will give them an opportunity to steal a victory at the North Shore. 

Takase: I'm going to go with Kailua. The 'Surfers are a relatively unknown with a new coach in Hauoli Wong. They have several returners in key positions, so a win Saturday could go a long way for them later in the season.

Ing: I’m gonna say Kapaa. Don’t get me wrong though, I'm not suggesting that Lahainaluna isn’t worthy of its preseason top-billing in the D2 Power Rankings, but I do think that the Warriors have a bevy of returning starters and enter 2014 with something to prove as a unit after a runner-up finish in the KIF a year ago.

5. Enough of this small talk. Mililani vs Saint Louis, who you got?

Lasquero: Mililani. People are expecting a aerial shootout, but my gut tells me that All-Hawaii first team running back Vavae Malepeai will have a field day against the Crusaders’ defense. It also doesn’t hurt to have four starting offensive lineman returning if you’re a Trojan fan. Ryder Kuhns and company will put up numbers and touchdowns on the board, but the nitty gritty aspect of the game comes down to winning the line of scrimmage. A boisterous home crowd should give the Trojans the edge to come up with two wins in one week.

Sueoka: With both teams having high potent offense lead by two of the best quarterbacks in the state, Ryder Kuhns and McKenzie Milton (Saint Louis and Mililani respectively), it will come down to which defense makes more stops and causes turnovers.
Mililani comes back with a very untested defense and a lot of questions on that side of the ball before the OIA season starts.
I think the Crusaders pull out a narrow victory with the help of their defense. Remember Cal Lee is defensive guy and he's going to pride himself on how his defense plays.

Ching: I'm going with the Crusaders. Ryder Kuhns will look to air it out to his receivers and test Mililani's secondary. Also, if the Saint Louis defense rises to the occasion to contain McKenzie (Milton) and Vae (Malepeai), then they will have a good chance of winning this game. This should be a good game and both teams are grateful for the opportunity to play each other despite last week's cancellation.

Takase: I like the Trojans on their home turf. I think the loss to Punahou in last year's state final has left a bitter taste in their mouths and I know that they've been hard at work since not long after that game. Either way, it should be a great game.

Ing: Edge to Mililani, but not by much. If its a relative 'push' at QB and WR, then the Trojans have to get the nod in the running game, especially with 2013 All Hawaii first-team RB Vae Malepeai set to tote the rock for at least part of the game behind a OL that is largely intact from last year. I'm anticipating (hoping for?) lots of offensive fireworks, but somehow feel that a big play or two on defense or special teams will decide it.





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