Hawaiian Electric Game of the Week
No. 10 Moanalua visits No. 7 Campbell in battle of unbeatens




Seven unbeaten Division I teams remain in the Oahu Interscholastic Association heading into the weekend, but at least one squad will lose that distinction after Friday night.

The lone game featuring 1-0 teams will take place in Ewa Beach when 10th-ranked Moanalua visits No. 7 Campbell in a D1 Blue division game.

Na Menehune scored a statement victory last week, toppling then-No. 9 Waianae on its home field, marking the first time in 13 tries that they beat the Seariders.

"Anytime a team goes into Waianae and beats Waianae, to us, it's always a sign of a great team," Sabers' coach Amosa Amosa said. "That doesn't happen too often, so that's kind of scary for us to have to play them now because they're coming in hot."

Moanalua got a pair of Kawika Keama-Jacobe-to-Jason Sharsh touchdown passes and Michael Feliciano and Rodson Kealohi each added a rushing score, but it was the defense that shined against the Seariders, limiting them to just 191 yards of total offense, including a modest 84 rushing yards.

"I think how well we can contain their quarterback (Keama-Jacobe) and contain their wide receiver, Sharsh, that's going to be key," Amosa said.

Still, it's mostly the Na Menehune offense that has Amosa worried.

"They like to spread out the field and spread things out, their quarterback is very mobile, so they have good speed and they're pretty athletic," Amosa said. "Anytime we have the opportunity to possess the ball, we've got to score some points and help our defense out."

Campbell will get a boost defensively with the return of strong safety Solomon Matautia, a First Team All-Hawaii selection last year. Matautia missed the Sabers' 35-13 win over Castle last week with a concussion.

"He's unbelievable," Moanalua coach Jason Cauley said of Matautia. Cauley served as Kapolei offensive coordinator the past two seasons before taking over Na Menehune this year.

"I saw him last year and I don't want to see him this year. I wish I didn't have to see him Friday," Cauley said. "We don't need to hang balls up for him to get it."

Cauley is also familiar with Sabers' quarterback Ezra Savea, who transferred from Kapolei after his freshman season last year and will be making his varsity debut against Moanalua Friday. He also did not play against Castle (academic probation).

"I was the one who wanted to pull Ezra up to the varsity last year so I know what that kid brings to the table," Cauley said. "Him being at quarterback this week adds a different dimension for them."

Wide receiver Jayce Bantolina, who caught five passes for 72 yards and a touchdown, is another playmaker that Moanalua is cautious of.

"He caught my eye, I definitely know of him and I know his skill set and how big he is," Cauley said of the 6-foot-2, 205-pound senior wideout. "I really don't want that guy to touch the ball either."

Ultimately, Cauley knows the game will come down to execution and fortitude.

"You've got to be prepared for everything, they're a solid ball team and they don't have many holes really," Cauley said. "It's a tough game for us, but I have confidence in our boys. If they come out physical and with intensity, we might have a chance. They're going to hit us in the mouth, but it's not about us getting knocked down, but about how we get up after we get knocked down."

Kickoff between Na Menehune and the Sabers will follow 25 minutes after the conclusion of the junior varsity game at 6 p.m.

Other games of interest this weekend:
-St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) vs. No. 3 Saint Louis, 7 p.m. Friday at Aloha Stadium
The Braves will be making their 2014 debut after a perfect 16-0 run last year to a California Interscholastic Federation Open Division championship. The Crusaders (0-1) allowed their most points ever in a 63-47 loss to Mililani Saturday. Quarterbacks Ryder Kuhns (12 completions-22 attempts-2 interceptions—157 yards-1 touchdown) and Tua Tagovailoa (18-28-0—198-5) split playing time against the Trojans.

-Waianae at Kaiser, 7 p.m. Friday at Kaiser Stadium
The Seariders (0-1) are coming off a 30-23 home loss to Moanalua in which they committed five turnovers and allowed 23 consecutive points. The rushing game averaged just 2.3 yards per carry while the passing game resulted in three interceptions. Senior quarterback Ioane Kaluhiokalani, who did not play against Na Menehune, is expected to start Friday. The Cougars (1-0) have won their last 14 games dating back to last season and are coming off a 52-7 thrashing of Aiea last week.

-No. 9 Kapolei vs. No. 6 Farrington, 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Roosevelt
The Hurricanes (0-1) continue their arduous opening schedule. They are coming off a 33-19 loss at fifth-ranked Kahuku Friday and can look forward to a home game next week — against No. 2 Mililani. Kapolei generated just 239 yards offensively, but allowed 221 rushing yards by the Red Raiders. The Govs (1-0) throttled Waipahu 35-0 by the second quarter before the Marauders conceded for safety purposes.



Reach Kalani Takase at [email protected].




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