Da Five
It all comes down to this




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" previews the two championship games in a new, innovative way. Five statements are presented and the five individuals participating have to deduce whether it is a fact or fiction.

1. Fact or Fiction: Lahainaluna will hold Iolani to under 14 points.

Kalani Takase, SL reporter: Fiction. While the Lunas are coming off their best showing of the season in a 52-7 win over Kamehameha-Hawaii last week, the Raiders are no slouches on offense. They average nearly 35 points and over 350 yards per game, but have done it with a balanced attack (172 rush yards per game to 180 pass yards per game). Iolani's lowest scoring output of the season came in a 55-20 loss to Saint Louis.

Jordan Helle, ESPN Radio Maui/OC16: Fiction. The Lunas' gameplan will be outstanding, but I think Iolani has enough weapons to put a couple of touchdowns and a field goal on the board. I don't anticipate 36 to be put up by the Raiders like in 2012, but I wouldn't be surprised to see 17 to 20 on the board for Iolani. With the way Lahainaluna's offense executed last week, I think that will be good enough from the D.

Michael Lasquero, SL reporter: Fact. The Lunas' numbers speak for themselves. In 10 games this year, Lahainaluna has held opponents to 6.5 points per game and have not given up more than 14 points per game since the month of August. The Lunas' defense has also posted three shutouts, two of which came against Division I MIL representative Maui. Unless Keoni-Kordell Makekau starts booming 50-yard field goals, which he probably can, I don't see Iolani cracking the 14-point total.

Gary Dickman, ESPN 1420 Radio: Fact. Lahainaluna will hold Iolani below 14 points. I think this is the year that the Lunas finally win their championship in Division II. I know Iolani is a good team, but I just feel that the Lunas are on a mission after their past failures. Two years ago they had a late lead on Iolani in the championship game, but ended up losing 36-33. Last year they lost to eventual champion Kaiser, but again, had a halftime lead that they let slip away. Co-head coach Garret Tihada talked about how the team started working out right after the Kaiser loss in preparation of the championship game this Friday. That kind of dedication has been evident with the Lunas' current undefeated streak. 

Brandon Ching, SL reporter: Fiction. I know the Lunas held KS-Hawaii to 7 points in the semifinals and going into this game they have an idea of what they'll be facing, but Iolani executes their offense at a higher level so I feel they will score more than 14 points. Austin Jim On and his receivers will find a way to move the ball down the field and also with KJ Pascua and Storm Lotomau, they've shown they have the ability to run the ball too.   

2. Fact or Fiction: Punahou's offensive output against Kahuku should be of some concern.

Takase: Fact. I don't want to sell Kahuku's defense, or its effort against Punahou, short, so I first have to give credit there. That said, the Buffanblu should be concerned over their lack of offensive production — especially in the rushing department — against the Red Raiders. They were held to negative four yards on 20 carries, including just 25 yards on eight attempts for Wayne Taulapapa. Outside of Kanawai Noa's 83-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to start the game, Punahou was held without very many big-yardage plays.

Helle: Fact. Kahuku's defense is the best in the state perhaps and most teams have struggled against them all year long. However, if it wasn't for Kanawai Noa's heroics in other phases of the game, the Buffanblu may have been upset. The 3-week lay-off and Kahuku's defense have Punahou's attack out of rhythm big time. Still, with the playmakers Punahou has, they can find it again quickly.

Lasquero: Fact. Punahou just does not have the weapons in the passing game that it did in last year's title run. Those weapons include: receivers Trent Sitar, Dylan Combs and Luke Morris, TE Dakota Torres and most importantly, offensive player of the year QB Tui Tuileta. The Buffanblu also do not have a jumbo running package in place with Kotoni Sekona gone to graduation and Reupena Fitisemanu at Kahuku. Unless RB/SB Heisman Hosoda is back and healthy, I can't see the Buffanblu outscoring Mililani in a shootout. Punahou will need its defense and special teams to come up big and create favorable field position for its offense.

Dickman: Fact. Punahou should be concerned with its lack offense last Saturday, only scoring 13 points in a controversial win over Kahuku. I've wondered all year long how Punahou would fare against a good defense. Most of the season the Buffanblu didn't have to face a defense that is like the caliber of Kahuku and Mililani's defense. I know DL Rex Manu, a Punahou transfer, will have some extra motivation as well as the rest of the Trojans. They've been waiting for this opportunity since last year's loss to Punahou in the title game. The Buffanblu will score, but I don't see them scoring a lot.

Ching: Fact. You got to give credit where credit is due and Kahuku did an outstanding job defensively. It is concerning because based on what I saw, Punahou's offense requires a lot of timing and the Red Raiders did a good job disrupting the rhythm and made Ephraim Tuliloa rush some of his throws. The Buffanblu also had a hard time getting the running game going and Mililani doesn't yield a lot of rushing yards. It will be interesting to see what kind of adjustments Punahou makes tomorrow against Mililani.   

3. Fact or Fiction: Mililani will rush for over 100 yards against the Buffanblu.

Takase: Fiction. Only one team (Iolani) has been able to break the 100-yard rushing mark against the Buffanblu this season. The Trojans have a number of studs on the offensive line in guards Andru Tovi, Derrick Fetui-Suaipaia and right tackle Jordan Agasiva and a workhorse running back in Vavae Malepeai, but as good as they are the Punahou defense might be even better. The flexibility of the linebacking corps — comprised of Saitui Moeai, Ronley Lakalaka, Kalama Chung and Laakea Look — behind a veteran defensive line of Canton Kaumatule, Patamo Soa and Joe Saula is enough to shut down a talented Mililani rushing attack.

Helle: Fact. After being frustrated last week against Farrington, I have to imagine that both Vavae Malepeai and McKenzie Milton have at least one explosive run each in this game. That should get the Trojans over 100 yards rushing for the contest. Even with a couple explosive runs, the big factor will be if Mililani can find sustained success on the ground through four quarters.

Lasquero: Fact. RB Vavae Malepeai might be limited to around 50 yards, but I see McKenzie Milton having an impactful game on the ground. The junior QB has grown tremendously as a passer so I expect Punahou to respect his arm. This should free up some scrambling lanes for Milton, especially when the Buffanblu defense plays man-to-man coverage.

Dickman: Fiction. I'm not sure Mililani will rush for over 100 yards against Punahou. The Trojans might, but I see QB McKenzie Milton having a great game passing against the best secondary in the state. I love the tight man-to-man coverage that Punahou employs. But in a state with a lot of great quarterbacks, Milton is the best of the bunch. I see RB Vavae Malepeai getting 99 rushing yards rushing to keep my prediction right.

Ching: Fiction. Farrington shut down Mililani's run game and Punahou has a solid defensive unit, so I think rushing yards would be hard to come by in this game. The 43 net rushing yards was the Trojans' lowest rushing output of the season and Punahou yielded 2.4 yards per rush against Kahuku. That's where Mililani will take whatever Punahou gives them so if it's not the run, then they will look to pass and spread the ball around.  

4. Fact or Fiction: The Offensive Player of the year will be playing this weekend.

Takase: Fact. I've got to believe that if Mililani wins, the award would end up going to its junior quarterback, McKenzie Milton, who leads the state in pass yards (2,971) and has a 4-to-1 TD-to-INT ratio. If Punahou ends up winning, I have this feeling that Kanawai Noa will be a pivotal part of it. The senior wide receiver leads all of Division I in receptions (53) and receiving yards (1,072) with nine touchdowns — numbers that would be hard to ignore come time to vote.

Helle: Fact. I have to imagine that it will come down to Kanawai Noa and McKenzie Milton in the race for POY. Being an offensive guy, I'm hoping both of these guys breakout for big games and put on a show. It's amazing how Milton continues to develop as an all-around playmaker, and Noa's ability to dominate a game from the receiver position is extremely rare.

Lasquero: Fact. In my opinion, the Division I award comes down between Mililani QB McKenzie Milton and Punahou WR/RET Kanawai Noa. Both players are the most important players in their respective offenses. You take them out from the equation and neither Mililani nor Punahou makes the title game. For Division II, I see the award going to Lahainaluna QB Makoa Filikitonga-Lukela. The senior signal caller is the conductor to the Lunas' modified wing-T offense.

Dickman: Fact. I have Mililani QB McKenzie Milton winning the offensive player of the year award. Even though there are other great players, RB Ranan Mamiya from Farrington, QB Tua Tagovailoa from Saint Louis and WR Kanawai Noa from Punahou, Milton is the best of the best. He could easily have more impressive numbers if Mililani coach Rod York wanted him to.

Ching: Fact. For Division I there are some Offensive Player of the Year candidates in this match up. Kanawai Noa has 1,072 receiving yards and nine touchdowns this season and he is a dangerous punt and kick off returner. On the other side, McKenzie Milton leads D1 overall with 2,971 passing yards and 28 touchdowns and also adds 12 rushing touchdowns. Vavae Malepeai can make an argument for offensive player of the year too, he leads the state in rushing with 1,248 yards and 24 touchdowns.   

5. Fact or Fiction: Both top-seeded teams will be victorious Friday.

Takase: Fact. In the D2 game, I see the Lunas with a decided advantage on offense against a Raiders' defense that is surrendering 26 points and more then 360 yards per game and with the way they executed against Kamehameha-Hawaii Saturday, it's hard to see them falling short a third time to the Raiders. As for the D1 game, I think this one really could go either way, but I still see the Buffanblu as a slight favorite. Mililani's injuries on its O-line are of concern to me and, as coach Rod York loves to point out, it all starts with the big boys up front. I compare this Mililani team to Punahou's 2012 team: both have a junior, second-year starter at quarterback and will be facing the same opponent in consecutive state finals. The Buffanblu lost to Kahuku that year before breaking through last year. The Trojans are a solid team — perhaps the best in school history — but might still be one year away from that elusive state title.

Helle: Fact. Punahou has played two close games in a row, and closed both times. We know their talent is unquestioned, but I think this experience will allow them to put everything together Friday night. For Lahainaluna, I think the third time is the charm. Their defense is playing as well as it ever has, and the offense is a juggernaut running the football. This core group has been together for 3-4 years on the varsity level and are primed to finally break through.

Lasquero: Fiction. The two title games feature rematches from the past two years. Top-seeded Lahainaluna will get its revenge against Iolani, but Punahou will fall to Mililani. The Lunas have gotten stronger over the course of the season and could probably contend with 75-percent of the Division I teams in the state. Punahou has barely gotten by in its past two matchups. The only problem was that Saint Louis didn't have a strong defense and Kahuku didn't have a strong offense. Mililani is a complete team and will benefit from playing Division I teams all season.

Dickman: Fact-ish. While Lahainaluna will definitely win, the matchup between Punahou and Mililani is hard to decide. Not sure who will win that game, but that's why I can't wait to be there. It might be a game that close that whoever has the ball last will win, at least that's what I'm hoping for.

Ching: Fiction. I think at this point being the top seed doesn't matter and it comes down to the last two teams in D1 and D2. I think that one of the top-seeded teams will win, but for some reason, I don't see both winning. Mililani or Iolani definitely have a shot at winning state titles so it's entirely possible neither of the top-seeded teams will win. I'm giving an edge to Mililani and Iolani because sometimes being on the losing side last season really adds fuel to the fire to win it and this could really motivate them and you can't underestimate the power of who wants it more.   





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