Ola Tatofi (43) and the rest of the Kapa'a defense have been a big of the Warriors success, allowing just allows 5.7 points and only 130.3 yards per game to the opposition. Manuel Henriques | Special to SL

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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 the final week in BIIF and OIA play and more.

1. Why do you think Kapaa has been able to be so successful this seaosn?

Michael Lasquero, SL reporter: The Warriors are just following the blueprint that Kauai coach Tommy Cox and the Red Raiders laid out in 2013. This year's Kapaa squad has many of the same ingredients that Kauai had in 2013. Like Cox, Kapaa coach Phillip Rapozo is a first-year coach coming up from the junior varsity ranks. Kapaa also has great linebacker play just like Kauai did with 2013 Division II defensive player of the year James Bukoski. The Warriors also has likes to frequently run the ball out of a spread formation set. The scary thing is I think this year's Kapaa squad has more talent than Kauai did last year.

Gary Dickman, ESPN 1420 Radio: Kapaa has been very successful this season. The Warriors lost their season opener to Lahainaluna, but has won six games since then. It's too bad their first scheduled game of the season against Nanakuli was cancelled because of a hurricane. Kapaa has a great defense that has posted three shutouts and let up only 22 points in the six games it has won. The offense is also doing a great job with 32 points per game. I feel like they have a lot more talent than the other schools on Kauai, as evident in their win-loss record. I also admire head coach Phillip Rapozo. He wants his team to have fun above anything else.

Brandon Ching, SL reporter: Based on numbers, Kapaa appears to be playing really good defense and they held their Kauai opponents to less than 10 points a game and that's not easy to do. Also they rely heavily on their running game to wear down their opponents and to control the clock so I would say those would be their keys to success. 

Jordan Helle, ESPN Radio Maui/OC16: A stout defense. They've only allowed double-digit points once this season, and that was to consensus Division II No. 1 Lahainaluna. Even in that early season matchup, Kapaa held the Lunas to just six points through three quarters. The Warriors' defense is championship caliber and can carry them deep in the state tournament, much like the Kauai team a year ago.

Kalani Takase, SL reporter: Looking at the statistics, the answer seems to be defense. Kapaa allows 5.7 points and only 130.3 yards per game by the opposition. After a season-opening 18-16 loss to top-ranked Lahainaluna (in the final seconds), no one has scored in double digits against the Warriors this season. Two of their three shutouts on the season came against last season's league champ and state runner-up, Kauai. A 52-point offensive output in Saturday's KIF-finale against the Red Raiders was a season best and should provide some momentum heading into the state tournament.

2. What did we learn in Punahou's 35-28 win over Saint Louis?

Lasquero: I learn that any team facing Punahou is going to need something extra if they hope to beat the Buffanblu. Although Saint Louis jumped out to a 13-0 lead, the defending state champions were able to adjust and climb their way back into the game. In my opinion, the key to beating Punahou is to play off of their tendencies. That's how Mililani was able to score on those two gadgets last year in the state championship game. Mililani saw that when the receiver motions over on the jet sweep, the safety on the opposite side comes down to help out in run support. This opened up a one-on-one opportunity on the perimeter and the Trojans were able to cash in. 

Dickman: I learned a few things in Punahou's win over Saint Louis. One, if your band plays while the other team is on offense, they will get a warning like Punahou did. I also learned that even though it was a close game being tied 28-all in the fourth quarter, Punahou still rose to the occasion. Quarterback Ephraim Tuliloa, who hasn't been in a close game all year, held his composure and did a great job in leading the Buffanblu to victory. I have wondered all season what would happen to Punahou when tested in the fourth quarter of a close game, and they answered that question with its best game of the season. The defense came through when tested. This game could help them if they face a similar situation in late November playing for the championship against whichever OIA team they play – although I think we all know what team that will be; it starts with a ‘M'.

Ching: Seems like Punahou needs to work on their pass defense because Tua Tagovailoa was able to pass the ball around and move the offense down field. Despite being down during the game, Punahou showed how well they adjusted because they were able to get to turn up the pressure defensively and they dialed up the right plays on offense. On the flip side, Saint Louis has come a long way despite the loss and they really gave the Buffanblu a run for their money and they should hold their heads up high and be proud of their effort. 

Helle: I think we already knew Tua Tagovailoa is a star in the making. We saw Punahou show signs of mortality for the first time all season. They fell behind 13-0 early and turned it over a couple of times. The Buffanblu isn't invincible, and maybe Mililani has a chance to knock them off in the state tournament. Even in a challege from the Crusaders, Punahou showed why they are an elite level team. A close win like this will do more to benefit Punahou in my opinion.

Takase: I learned that Saint Louis is ready to turn the corner. The Crusaders closed the gap on Punahou over the course of the season and found their next star quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa, who had a sensational sophomore campaign in 2014.

3. Which two BIIF teams do you foresee representing the league in the state tournament?

Lasquero: I think Hilo will come out and win its matchup with Kealakehe decisively. The Vikings will be looking to prove that they can contend for a state title and will win by at least three scores. For Division II I see Konawaena making their fourth straight trip into the state tournament. Yes, the Wildcats are on the road, but defenses travel. Konawaena is led by iron man RB/LB Bubba Ellis-Noa. In last year's state tournament I seen him stood up a larger Fitou Fisiiahi at the line of scrimmage. I think the Wildcats will gravitate to Ellis-Noa's style of play and will stymie the Warriors' passing game.

Dickman: The team that I see making into the state tournament from the BIIF Division I is Hilo. They've been the best team on the big island all year, with that stingy defense not allowing anyone to score enough to beat them. The Division II representative is a big harder to predict. I'm going to go with Kamehameha-Hawaii based on the fact that they beat Konawaena, 20-6 in the regular season.

Ching: Representing D1, I foresee Hilo and for D2, right now it's a toss up. The Vikings have come this far with a 9-0 overall record and I feel they want to carry that momentum and win the BIIF and represent the Big Island in the state tournament. Konawaena and KS-Hawaii have been playing well lately and both teams have improved since they played each other earlier. My gut says the Wildcats pull it off and I think it helps that they have that previous BIIF championship and state tournament experience and perhaps they can rely on that.

Helle: I like the two original winners prevailing in a couple of rematches for the BIIF titles. Hilo needed a defensive score to beat Kealakehe the first time, but the Vikings are just too deep. KS-Hawaii and Konawaena might deliver one of the games of the year, with both teams being fairly evenly matched. QB Micah Kanehailua is the difference maker for the Warriors here though.

Takase: Hilo and Kamehameha-Hawaii. The Vikings got by Kealakehe, 7-0, in the regular-season meeting, but I expect the score this time around to be more lopsided. Meanwhile, the Warriors beat Konawaena, 20-6, in their regular-season meeting, and I expect a similar result. The 2 1/2-hour bus ride for both teams could be a factor, as well.

4. What will be the deciding factor in the OIA D2 title game?

Lasquero: This game will come down to which team's supporting cast will show up. The Chargers' receiving corps had over a handful of critical drops in their regular season meeting with the Golden Hawks. This ultimately left the door open for Nanakuli to complete a second half rally. Nanakuli RB Makaila Haina-Horswill played a big part in the Goldne Hawks' rally against Pearl City so I'm expecting the Chargers will make a concerted effort to contain him.

Dickman: The Division II title game between Pearl City and Nanakuli should be a great game. Nanakuli is undefeated while Pearl City is a one-loss team. Both teams are well coached, have great QB play and rarely turn the ball over. I'm going to go with the Golden Hawks in this game. I know how much this game means to them. They're playing with confidence and I think they'll win the OIA D2 title and continue this ride through the state tournament.

Ching: Coach Kami made an interesting comment after the Radford game saying that his team needs to finish and play all four quarters. I think the Chargers learned that lesson when they played the Golden Hawks the first time. Against Pearl City and Kalani, even though Nanakuli was trailing during the game, they have that resiliency that helps them pull through to get the win. The team that limits penalties, mistakes, executes the game plan, and plays all four quarters will come out on top. But I think it will also come down to desire: who wants it more and who wants to hang that championship banner in their gym for everyone to see. 

Helle: The way the OIA D2 season has played out, it looks like we may be in for another thriller on Halloween. Nanakuli has started slow at times this year, mainly last week against Kalani and in their first matchup with Pearl City. If the Chargers get a lead early, can they do enough to extend it and not give Nanakuli a shot in the 4th quarter? We've seen Nanakuli repeatedly find ways to win during close contests down the stretch.

Takase: Nanakuli's ability to run the ball and if Pearl City can take care of the football. The Golden Hawks trailed the Chargers, 20-7, at halftime the last time the teams played, but got three second-half touchdown runs by Makaila Haina-Horswill to rally for the win. Pearl City quarterback Jordan Tammu has been steady all season, throwing for 154 yards per game with 23 touchdowns against just two interceptions.

5. What player(s) or position group needs to come up big in order for Kahuku to hand Mililani its first loss?

Lasquero: I will be watching the play of juniors LB Hirkley Latu, LB Manaia Atuaia and FS Keala Santiago. At 6-foot-3, 200-lbs, Latu should be able to handle the physical running style of Mililani RB Vavae Malepeai. Atuaia is a smaller linebacker, but has the quickness to either spy or contain Mililani QB McKenzie Milton. I will watch Santiago cover the best slot receiver in the state Kainoa Wilson. Santiago has the ability to bait throws and the speed to close on a thrown pass. If Kahuku can make Mililani rely on younger skill players to make plays, I like the Red Raiders chances in this one.

Dickman: For Kahuku to beat Mililani it'll come down to whether or not its defense can slow down the Mililani machine-like offense. The Trojans have an amazing stat of having scored at least 41 points in each contest this season. I don't think the Red Raiders are able to keep up with that production offensively. Kahuku will have to come up with the defensive effort of the decade if they want to have a chance to win. I know anything's possible, but I also know that not everything is probable. It'll take a major miracle for Kahuku to stop Mililani. But as Herm Edwards has said, "you play to win the game. Hello!" Let's see if it'll work on Friday night.

Ching: Everyone on both sides of the ball has to come up big so I don't know how I can single out a particular position group. For Kahuku to beat a team like Mililani, it won't take a particular position group, instead all 11 guys on both sides of the ball have to be on the same page to do their role and execute their assignments in order to pull off a victory. It also comes down to limiting penalties and turnovers because those things can kill drives or extend drives for the other team and you don't want to give the Trojans those kinds of opportunities. 

Helle: Kahuku's defense needs to play lights-out. The Red Raiders' pass rush and secondary are good enough to give Mililani's plethora of skill players its toughest challenge of the year. With Kahuku's offense continuing to struggle, the pressure is immesly on the shoulders of the Red Raiders' defense to make this a relatively low scoring ballgame.

Takase: Defensive backs. I've got to believe that Vavae Malepeai will get his typical 100+ rushing yards on 20 or so carries, but what Kahuku can ill afford are big plays from McKenzie Milton in the passing games. That's easier said than done of course, with standouts Kainoa Wilson and Kalakaua Timoteo leading the Trojans' receiving corps.