Da Five
Lunas win streak, league finales




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.

This week's edition of "Da Five" reflects on Lahainaluna's MIL winning streak, previews the OIA Division I semifinals and more.

1. Why do you think Lahainaluna has been so successful in the MIL in recent years (16 game winning streak).

Jordan Helle, ESPN Radio Maui/OC16: The Lunas are on a 16 game league-winning streak and have lost just once since the start of the 2012 season, in overtime to a Keelan Ewaliko-led Baldwin team. Their sustained success has been the result of consistency. They've continued to put in the offseason work and they continue to play fundamentally sound and disciplined football that is very effective at the high school level. Their consistent commitment and execution allows the Lunas to play mistake-free and put immense pressure on their opponents.

Shawn Sueoka, SL contributor: To build a consistent team you need a few important base ingredients: teamwork, discipline, and belief. Your team will need all three if you hope to win week in and week out. The team has to play as one unit and not individuals, be discipline in all aspects of the game so the other team cannot find any weakness, and if you're team doesn't believe in the system, the coaching and themselves then you might as well not suit up to play. These keys have made Lahinaluna a weekly winner.

Aven Santiago, SL all-purpose: This Lahainaluna squad is a well coached and a well-oiled machine. You can see that they have a blue print to success and have been following it for the past couple of season. The closest game they had this year was a two-point road victory over Kapaa in the preseason. In league play this year the Lunas have been blowing teams out by nearly 40 points a game while also holding them to nearly a touchdown per contest. I cannot wait to see Lahainaluna in person come state tournament time.

Gary Dickman, ESPN 1420 Radio: Lahainaluna currently has a nice run going, winning 16 MIL games in a row. With an impressive streak like that, it has to be based on a few things. A lot of credit has to go to the team's co-head coaches in Bobby Watson and Garret Tihada. To have that kind of consistency it takes a lot of effort. The Lunas' offense and defense have both been doing a great job. I used to live in Lahaina and worked with some of the high school kids before. It was a long time ago – and I'm not going to say when because it'll make me feel really old – but the students had more interest in basketball than football so the culture must have changed since then. I think that's important in developing a winning program. Last year, former Kaiser coach Rich Miano told me how impressed he was with the Lunas. It all starts with the coaching and all the players have totally bought in.

Michael Lasquero, SL reporter: I think a lot of the Lunas' success has come from the plethora of veterans that they have. Lahainaluna has a handful of four-year varsity players that include RB/LB Jared Rocha-Islas and WR/DB Scott-Isaac Medeiros-Tangatailoa. Quarterback Makoa Filikitonga also seen playing time at Aloha Stadium as a sophomore. Having players like this come state tournament time will give Lahainaluna an edge over teams that will be experiencing the bright lights for the first time.

2. What player or positional group needs to come up big for Campbell to pull off the upset against Mililani?

Helle: The quarterback play for Campbell needs its best of the year for the Sabers to pull off the upset. Sophomore Ezra Savea has gone though the expected growing pains this season and Anthony Pablo has stepped in admirably at times. The Saber defense has been solid all year long and the Sabers' two-headed rushing attack has carried the load at times on offense. With a superb receiving corps led by Jayce Bantolina, the Campbell QBs will need to step up and get the ball into their playmakers' hands. 

Sueoka: The obvious position for Campbell is quarterback. In the Sabers' first meeting with Mililani Campbell played well for the first half of the game. Consistent play at quarterback will be key for the Sabers in this matchup. The only way they can get consistent play from that position will be if the offensive line is able to keep Rex Manu and Kaimana Padelo away from Ezra Savea. If the offensive line can accomplish this then Campbell will have a shot at shocking the state.

Santiago: Besides committing penalties, the Campbell offense has to step it up for this next game against Mililani. Not just in scoring, but clock management as well. The Sabers had a lead going into the later part of the game, but gave it up in the late in the third quarter. If Campbell wants to pull this upset off, the Sabers needs to do their best at keeping Mililani's offense off the field by grinding the clock down. This keeps an explosive Trojan offense on the sidelines, giving them less time to get into rhythm and put points on the board. 

Dickman: For Campbell to pull of the upset over Mililani it'll take a lot. Mililani is just that good. However, I remember that in September Campbell led the Trojans in the third quarter, which is the closest that Mililani has come to losing. Mililani's lowest point total this season is 41, and they've been "held" to that total twice. I think it will have to be the Campbell defense that will have to come up big in this matchup. We all know Mililani is going to score, but if the Sabers can slow them down a little – maybe hold them to around 30-40 points – they'll have a chance to win. 

Lasquero: The play of Campbell running backs Terell Johnson and Austin May will be key. One of the biggest detriments to the 2013 Campbell team was the lack of a strong running game. If you play back the tape of these two teams' meeting in the state semifinal last year, you'll see that the Trojans defensive line are spread out, leaving both A-gaps wide open. If the Sabers can force the Trojans' defense to respect both the run and the pass, good things will come for them. 

3. What will be the deciding factor in the Farrington-Kahuku matchup?

Helle: Kahuku's ability to get in the end zone will go a long way to deciding this matchup. Kahuku's defense and special teams have been outstanding all year long. Last week seven offensive points were able to hold up against Kapolei, but Farrington has the ability to score in bunches with RB Ranan Mamiya. If Kahuku can find a rhythm offensively and avoid the penalty bug, it will take a ton of pressure off the defense and special teams units. Avoiding those potential penalties will be monumental for the Red Raiders. 

Sueoka: There are so many deciding factors in this game it's really hard to pinpoint one. For both sides one thing is key: taking care of the football and sticking with the ground game. I think both coaches can honestly say they are not exactly in love with their quarterback's passing ability. The deciding factor in this contest will be the running game. The team that is able establish themselves on the ground will have the upper hand.

Santiago: I think it'll come down to which playmaker shows up that day. Both teams have rugged and solid defenses that'll most likely make huge plays in this game, but I want to see that one player that can step it up and make a game-changing play. We all know about Ranan Mamiya and how dangerous he is with the football. Whether it's a handoff, reception, or a return, the Saint Francis transfer will need to make huge plays for Farrington to pull this win off. For Kahuku, I think it'll depend on how well Keala Santiago performs. He can be a playmaker specifically in the battle for field position with him in the return game and on defense. It'll be fun to watch him make plays to set up the Kahuku offense up against the Red Raiders' former OIA Red East rival.

Dickman: The deciding factor in the Farrington-Kahuku game will hinge on the play of Farrington RB Ranan Mamiya. He has the capability of carrying the Governors to a victory in this game. Although QB Montana Liana can make the big throw, Farrington doesn't really have a strong passing game that can take over games. I think this matchup will come down to whether or not Kahuku can keep Mamiya in check. Doing that would mean limiting Mamiya to around 100 yards and no long touchdown runs. 

Lasquero: I think this game will come down to special teams. I think Farrington's supporting cast on offense will turn some heads tonight and Kahuku's defense will deliver. In my opinion, both teams have strengths and weaknesses that will counteract each other as the game plays out. However, both teams have excellent special teams units. Kahuku's Keala Santiago and Keala Gilman can score on any given return while Farrington has speedy returner Ranan Mamiya and a long-distance kicker in Kekoa Sasaoka. This past Sunday we saw the Saint Louis Rams (yes, I am a fan) take down the defending super bowl champs with some fancy special teams play. Special teams, although often forgotten, is just as important as offense and defense.

4. Which team has a better chance at forcing a "playoff" for the ILH overall title, Damien or Saint Louis?

Helle: The Monarchs have a better shot in Friday's ILH games. They trailed Iolani just 17-14 at the half in their regular season meeting back in August. They've been playing well as of late, with consecutive wins against Pac-Five and also playing St. Louis tough in the first half. Damien has improved steadily under Eddie Klaneski, and they now have a full complement of players to compete with Iolani.

Sueoka: Trying to pick this upset is like trying to pick your second favorite flavor of ice cream. Your second choice is good, but does it really compare to your all-time favorite? Both Damien and Saint Louis had had awful showings in their first matchup against the defending ILH champions. However, both squads have shown improvement towards the end of the season. I'll say Damien has the best shot just because Iolani hasn't been as dominant in Division II play as Punahou has been in Division I. The Monarchs will need to play a near perfect game to knock the Raiders off the ILH Division II throne.

Santiago: I have to go with Saint Louis. When you have debatably the best quarterback in the state and a team that is completely different from who they were at the start of the season, you have to give edge to them to at least force a playoff. But it'll be a tough road for both of the underdogs this week. Iolani and Punahou have proven they are the top dogs in their respective divisions and it'll be difficult for their opponents to knock them off that pedestal.

Dickman: I'm not predicting a Damien win, but I think the Monarchs have a better chance at beating Iolani than Saint Louis does against the defending state champions. Punahou is just that great of a team.

Lasquero: I think Damien has a shot at stealing one from Iolani. The Monarchs trailed by only three points at the break when the two teams met at the start regular season. It was also quarterback Dallas Labanon's first game of the year. Learning the dive and pitch keys in the veer-option takes a while to get a grasp on and I think Labanon has made great strides ever since. On the other side of the ball, Damien needs to be able to shut down the run game. If the Monarchs are able to do this well, make reservations for a rubber match between the two teams.

5. The top three teams in the BIIF D2 each beat one, but lost to the other. Who is your favorite to represent the league in the state tourney?

Helle: I give Kamehameha-Hawaii a slight edge as the top seed. The Warriors will enjoy home field advantage, while HPA and Konawaena will battle it out in the other semifinal. The difference between the three teams has been razor thin, and I anticipate two weeks of tight games to decide the BIIF Division II representative.  

Sueoka: I like Konawaena to take the BIIF Division II crown for a fourth straight year. Although Kamehameha-Hawaii beat them the Wildcats in the regular season, I think Konawaena had improved greatly since and are ready for the next go around with the Warriors. If you go with the theme "defense wins championships," Konawaena has the advantage, allowing just over 13 points per game and giving up less than 90 yards per game. The Warriors allow a little less than 21 points per game and concede over 235 yards per game. Also, don't count Hawaii Prep out as they have come on strong of late especially with its upset of KS-Hawaii.

Santiago: I think Kamehameha-Hawaii has the best shot. With one of their losses coming against a good Hilo squad in a one-score game, I think KS-Hawaii should be able to make some noise come state tournament time. But don't count out Hawaii Prep, who also beat KS-Hawaii a couple weeks ago. They have just as good as a chance as the other teams in that division.

Dickman: The BIIF Division II race is harder to predict, as I haven't seen either of these teams play in person this year. In the end I think it'll come down to Konawaena and KS-Hawaii. These two schools have been winning as of late. I like Konawaena out of the group because they have the best defense out of the four BIIF Division II schools. I think in the playoffs with all thing being equal, the team with the better defense generally wins.

Lasquero: Kamehameha-Hawaii has the edge with home field advantage through the playoffs. This should bode well for an up-tempo offense that can accelerate its pace on field turf. It is also important to point out that the Warriors' two regular season games against Konawaena and Hawaii Prep were all on the road. KS-Hawaii took care of business in the regular season and is now able to reap the benefit of it.

 





Show your support

Every contribution, no matter the size, will help ScoringLive continue its mission to provide the best and most comprehensive coverage of high school sports in the state of Hawaii and beyond.

Please consider making a contribution today.

ADVERTISEMENT


MORE STORIES

Kapaa takes down Kauai for second straight league win

Bob Manintin pitched six strong innings as the Warriors snapped the Red Raiders' seven-game winning streak.

Waianae holds off Castle; Mililani next

Teizsha Kaopuiki hit two home runs to power the Seariders in the opening round of the OIA Division I...

Surfriders erase early deficit, pull away from Falcons

Ninth-ranked Kailua scored 10 unanswered runs behind six scoreless innings of relief from DJ Kauahi to...

Pearl City ends Kaiser's season with playoff road victory

The Chargers rapped out nine runs on 14 hits, capped by Jayson Au Hoy's three-run home run in the top...

Shinagawa's catch spurred Cougars in OIA East finale; Painter continues producing for unbeaten Bears

The Kaiser junior centerfielder made a pivotal highlight-reel grab against Kailua Saturday, while the...

Campbell scores 11 runs in opening frame in rout of Leilehua

Ismael Diaz delivered a pair of two-RBI doubles as part of a 29-minute top of the first inning for the...