Da Five
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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.

In this week's installment, our panelists provide their takeaways from Saint Louis' first game of the year, thoughts on the big game between Farrington and Moanalua and much more.

1. What were your thoughts on the Crusaders' season-opener?

Shayne Pajimola, SL contributor: Saint Louis showed pure dominance in its win over Fagaitua. I was very impressed with the Crusaders' defense and how they came out ready to play and the offense put on a show with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa leading the attack. With a team full of Division I studs, I feel like these guys will be a team to be reckoned with and will have a good chance to take home the title this year.

Brandon Ching, SL reporter: I thought they looked good at times, but there is a lot of room for improvement. The Crusaders need to limit their penalties because some good offensive drives and defensive stops against Fagaitua were negated by penalties. Tua Tagovailoa has a fresh receiving core and they can move the ball down the field, but I think they are still trying to find the right chemistry and timing with routes. Defense and special teams could get tightened up a bit, but at least Saint Louis has another opportunity against Liberty to correct it before the ILH season.

Gary Dickman, ESPN 1420 Radio: I got to see the Crusaders' live last Friday when they beat Fagaitua high school from Samoa. My thoughts were that this turned out to be an easy win for Saint Louis in its first game of the year, which is kind of ridiculous to play in when other schools were playing in their third contest this season. I thought quarterback Tua Tagovailoa looked really good, even without All-Hawaii receiver Drew Kobayashi, but not as good as I expect him to be when the ILH season starts. I was also impressed with OL Nate Herbig, who is huge and will dominate this season. One negative thing I noticed though was the amount of penalties the Crusaders racked up. I think they had around 18 total, with majority of them being 15-yard penalties. 

Jared Kanoa, SL contributor:  I was somewhat surprised. I knew that Saint Louis was going to be one of, if not, the most prolific offenses in the state but I did not expect the defense to hold Fagaitua to a single digit score. Coming off of a season where the Crusaders' defense gave up an average of 572 yards per game to division I opponents and 324 yards per game to division II opponents I was anxious to see the gelling and growth this squad could build on during the offseason. The defense of the Crusaders showed a little improvement holding Fagaitua to only 247 total yards, well below either average from a year ago. There is no doubt that the offense can put up the numbers with the offensive beast Tua Tagovailoa as their quarterback but with no clear cut leader on defense it will be something to watch for as this Crusader team grows and improves during the course of the year.

Kalani Takase, SL reporter: Despite it being Saint Louis' first game of the season, I felt it was a much-needed convincing victory. The players had lots of time to work out the kinks since a sub-par showing in a scrimmage at Mililani two weeks early. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was his usual electrifying self in just one half of play and more importantly, the defense looks much improved, holding Fagaitua to just six points. 

2. Pac-Five, Waialua and KS-Maui all picked up victories against a higher-ranked opponent. Which win was the most significant?

Pajimola: KS-Maui's upset win over Lahainaluna was real significant to me. The Warriors showed that they have what it takes to beat a powerhouse team in Lahainaluna, or any team in general, and it bolstered their confidence as they continue in the MIL season. That game was a turning point in KS-Maui's season and showed how good this team can be.

Ching: KS-Maui because they were 0-21 heading into the game against D2 MIL powerhouse and then-fourth ranked Lahainaluna. The Warriors did not look good against Iolani in the Father Bray Classic so credit the coaching staff and players for turning it around. 

Dickman: I was impressed with Waialua beating Pearl City after the game got delayed two days because of weather. Pearl City is a good team and keeps on getting better, so for Waialua to come in and beat them when no one expected them to, was pretty impressive. I also think that KS-Maui beating Lahainaluna was pretty big. The Lunas have been dominant the last few years, but they lost to Kapaa earlier in the year, so losing to KS-Maui wasn't quite the same to me as Waialua beating the Chargers.

Kanoa: From the core of the North Shore Waialua has been the number one "what the heck" team of the year. From 1-2 record this time last year to an unblemished 3-0 now Waialua has really been a true underdog team. As I watched them scrimmage during the preseason against Pac-Five I would have never guessed this where they would be now. The team was ravaged by academic probations and injuries now lead their division at a cool undefeated record. Waialua has my pick for the most significant win because they not only came out with the upset victory on the last drive but they also had to postpone the game due to weather and they still got it done. Waialua seemingly had all the momentum going into the fourth quarter but due to weather they had to postpone the game and play it a full two days later. At the resume of play on Monday Pearl City jumped in front early to not only gain the lead but also all the momentum. But some how the boys of the North Shore got it done.

Takase: Pac-Five's win at Waimea was a nice one, but still just a non-league game. I think most would say KS-Maui's upset of perennial MIL power Lahainaluna was the most significant. However — and not that I want to take anything away from coach Cody Nakamura's bunch — the teams will play again (on Sept. 25) and possibly a third time in the MIL playoffs. Therefore, I'm going to go with Waialua and its 27-23 win at Pearl City. With just four of the nine OIA D2 teams qualifying for the postseason, the win was a huge one for the Bulldogs. 

3. There are currently six 0-3 teams statewide. Who desperately needs a win to right the ship?

Pajimola: Campbell desperately needs a win. The Sabers are all out of sync and need to turn this around if they want to content for the OIA title. They will need to make some changes and adjustments if they want to jumpstart their season. If they dig deep, I believe the Sabers can do it and push for their first win of the year. Don't count them out just yet as they still have a chance to do big things in the OIA.

Ching: In the Blue Division, Campbell needs a win to stay in the hunt in the standings because that division is tough from top to bottom. In the Red, I think the same can be said for Kaiser because they need a victory to get into the win column to get into the thick of the standings. 

Dickman: As for the many 0-3 teams, the teams that need a win the most are Kaiser and Campbell. They were both expected not only to get into the OIA playoffs, but to be high seeds. Although 12 out of the 14 teams get into the league playoffs, their path to the OIA title game might be tough if both teams finish near the bottom of the league. For confidence, momentum, and to not have such tough road through the OIA, both teams need a win in the worst way.

Kanoa: Campbell definitely need to get their heads together. They have all the talent their with a young quarterback, a fast athletic back, and a bunch of ball hawk defenders to me they need to find a way to get it down this week. I am not to worried about the performance of Campbell thus far however. They were plagued by injures to their starting quarterback and star running back in the contest against Mililani a week ago and during the Castle game. I think once the Sabers get healthy and find their footing they and drive back and fix their season. 

Takase: To me it comes down to one of three teams: Anuenue, Kalaheo or Campbell. Anuenue, which has forfeited its last two games, and Kalaheo, which began the year in the ScoringLive/Hawaiian Electric Division II Power Rankings, will face one another Saturday at Kailua's Alex Kane Stadium. I'm going to go with Campbell. The Sabers, who were ranked sixth in the preseason power rankings, have struggled in all three phases (offense, defense and special teams) so far this year and play in the ultra-competitive OIA D1 Blue. All but one of the seven teams in the division will qualify for the league playoffs, so the Sabers will have to find a way to get a win in the coming weeks or they could be on the outside looking in come mid-October.

4. Any upset specials this weekend?

Pajimola: I feel there will be an upset this weekend: KS-Hawaii vs. Kealakehe. I feel with how good Kealakehe is playing this year, they can beat KS-Hawaii and possibly even Hilo. I see this game being a great game overall as Kealakehe is showing promise that it can content for the BIIF D1 title. A victory over KS-Hawaii will boost the Waveriders' confidence going forward.

Ching: Not really, in some divisions and leagues, if you aren't prepared and ready to play you'll get beat no matter who the opponent is. 

Dickman: I could pick McKinley over Kahuku, but that would be much more than upset; that would be a major miracle. I see Leilehua beating Waianae as an upset. Before the season, this would have been expected, but Waianae has been one of the two surprises this year so far, along with Kailua. I've been impressed with the Seariders' 2-1 start and how they've been winning. They won't be an easy out in the OIA playoffs and they can hang with anyone. Leilehua has been disappointing so far, but the Mules are at home and are desperate for a win. Based on the season so far, that's an upset special to look for.

Kanoa: I am not sure about any upsets but what I am willing to push is that the Waipahu-Castle game is going to be one to watch. Castle coming off a hard fought lost to a huge Waianae squad looks to bounce back agains the Marauders of Waipahu as they won their first game of the season a week ago. Castle with their legion of cardio super heroes has all the talent to be a great football team with a do it all utility player in Jeremy McGoldrick seemingly doing everything to help the Knights pass every opponent they face. Waipahu also has a utility player in Blaise De Asis to lead the way for the offense. it will be an interesting one as these two sleeper teams clash this weekend.

Takase: I don't really foresee any upsets this weekend. If I had to pick one or two, I'd say both Leilehua and Moanalua have outside chances to take down Waianae and Farrington, respectively. The Mules and Na Menehune are both capable of scoring quick via big plays, while the Seariders and Governors are your more typical "three yards and a cloud of dust" kind of offenses. 

5. Who wins the contest between Moanalua and Farrington?

Pajimola: Farrington will come away with the victory in this game. With two really good football teams coming into the matchup, be ready for a war and a heavy-weight fight till the end. I see Farrington running back Challen Faamatau having a huge game when these two teams battle in an OIA D1 Blue showdown.

Ching: I think the Govs will pull it off in the end. They have a good running game with Challen Faamatau and Freedom Alualu and quarterback Bishop Rapoza has shown he can spread the ball around. Defensively they have been tough up front and have athletic playmakers. This season, Moanalua's passing offense isn't as prolific in recent years and they aren't where they want to be yet so they have been relying on Michael Feliciano to run the ball. Na Menehune's offensive line will have a big task to open up holes against a stout Farrington defense. 

Dickman: I'm looking forward a lot to this game this week. The Governors lost a lot on both sides of the ball from last season and a lot of fans have been asking how they'll be this year. My answer right now is 98-14, which is their points for and points against totals so far this year. They have a new QB in Bishop Rapoza, who's been really effective and RB Challen Faamatau, who's been unstoppable. The offensive line is big and doing its job and the defense hasn't missed a beat. They will be tested by Na Menehune's RB Michael Feliciano, who scored four touchdowns last week and has nine on the season, along with 458 yards and averaging almost nine yards a carry. Moanalua is an overtime loss away from being 3-0 so this should be a great game, but I think Farrington will win this in a close one.

Kanoa: Heck who knows. This season has been a season of confusion and shock. No game is a guarantee anymore. But what I do know is that there will be a lot of physical play among these two teams both coming off of wins last week.

Takase: I like Farrington in this one. I think the Govs just have too much power — especially on offense — against a Moanalua defense that will be without starting strong safety Kyle Bender (ejected in win over Aiea) and could be without starting free safety Dalton Nascimento (hamstring) Saturday. Na Menehune coach Jason Cauley has expressed concern about his undersized defensive line in several interviews this year.





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