ScoringLive photo illustration

Purchase image 1 of 1

Punahou, Saint Louis, Mililani and Kahuku.

While we currently rank them from one to four ordered as above, there isn't a whole lot of difference between any of these four schools in terms of power, at least in my estimation.

So it is unsurprising to say the least, to hear the rumblings that ensue every Monday afternoon as the latest ScoringLive/Hawaiian Electric Power Rankings are unveiled.

The arguments for (and against) any of these teams being above or below the other are many, and I thought it might provide a bit of perspective (for better or worse) by providing my take on each of these teams.

My top four teams in descending order, and some commentary about each of them:

1. Punahou

In a word, balanced. It is hard to argue that there is a team more complete from top-to-bottom than the Buffanblu. While the numbers don't necessarily indicate as much, it starts with the running game and Wayne Taulapapa, who leads the ILH in rushing yards (195) and touchdowns (3) and also ranks in the top ten in both categories statewide at the Division I level. The constant threat Taulapapa presents in the backfield creates space for an underrated receiving corps, led by Eamon Brady and Ethan Takeyama, who have each hauled in five touchdown passes thus far. Punahou is also blessed with two more-than-capable passers in Ephraim Tuliloa and Nick Kapule, who have combined for over 1300 yards and 17 scores thus far. Defensively, the Buffanblu have quietly established themselves amongst the state's elite, allowing just 12.2 points per contest and just 97.6 on the ground. Add to that the strong and accurate leg of kicker John Toner (21 XP, FG), and there really isn't any significant weaknesses to be had. I'm not sure if the Buffanblu will emerge unscathed through what is a brutal ILH regular season, but should they manage to run the table, it will be difficult to imagine a team more ready for a tourney run.

2. Mililani

Pundits are quick to point out the 76-53 loss Miliani was dealt by Liberty in Nevada in early September as a reason to knock them down a level, but make no mistake, I'm not sure there is a defense in the state that can slow down the offensive machine that is the Trojans. Armed with arguably the most talented trio of offensive skill players on any team in the state in QB McKenzie Milton (1934 pass yd, 26 TD), RB Vavae Malepeai (639 rush yd, 14 TD) and WR Kalakaua Timoteo (711 rec yd, 13 TD), the Trojans present a nightmare to scheme for. The one knock clearly is on the defensive side of the ball for Mililani, which allows nearly 300 yards of offense a contest and 27.7 points on the scoreboard per game. That being said, if the defense can at least keep opposing teams relatively at bay on the scoreboard, the Trojans are simply too dynamic with the football on offense. While I feel the Buffanblu are tops at the moment, I would not find it surprising at all to find the defending state champs keeping the Division I title in Trojan town for another year.

3. Saint Louis

If success was based solely on the sheer amount of talent available on both sides of the ball, then Saint Louis should be all but penciled into the Division I title game come November. And so far, so good.  The Crusaders have rattled off four wins to open the year, and on the surface, a 43-16 win over Liberty, yes, the same squad that blew up for 70-plus points against the Trojans, would seem to indicate that the Crusaders are superior to the Trojans (at least based on win against a common opponent). I think though, it was pretty clear that the Patriots made some significant adjustments a week later against the visiting Trojans following the blowout loss in Honolulu, but that aside, it certainly validated that notion that the Crusaders are a team to be reckoned with. Over their first two games, the Crusaders outscored its opponents 98-22, but that margin has trimmed significantly in league play to just 59-44. The Crusaders' defense has surrended 294.5 yards through the air in ILH D1 play, though five interceptions (one returned for TD) have helped. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and running back Jahred Silofau both did not play in a relatively narrow win over Iolani, but appear likely to do so against Punahou on Sept. 25th. A win over the Buffanblu could go a long way to establishing Saint Louis as not only tops in ILH D1 play, but perhaps the state.

4. Kahuku

They say defense wins championships, and if that adage holds true, then Kahuku certainly looks prime to raise the Division I trophy. The Red Raiders' defense has allowed just 3.7 points in six games, and a meager 92.7 yards of offense to opposing teams. The run defense for the Red Raiders is of particular note, as it allows just 4.2 yards (not a typo) per game, and has yet to allow a score through six games. Kahuku's defense is also tops in the state scoring-wise, having notched six scores thus far. And while the scoring output for the Kahuku offense (45.3 ppg) certainly does not indicate any issues, the one deficiency for the Red Raiders is arguably their offense. The Kahuku running game averages 212.3 yards per contest and has reached the end zone 27 times thus far (Waianae has 32) and it is unclear whether or not Kahuku doesn't pass the ball all that often by choice or because they simply don't have to, thanks to its suffocating defense. Do I need to mention that the Red Raiders also have a rock solid kicker in Kekoa Sasaoka that has booted through 32 XP and four field goals? An interesting match up that could ultimately decide the top seed in the Red will happen on Oct. 3 when Kahuku runs with Waianae at Aloha Stadium, but with all due respect to the Seariders, I'm not sure how much we can really learn about Kahuku until the OIA playoffs. Kahuku's defense has been as good as advertised thus far, but the relative lack of a passing attack could be a factor should the Red Raiders somehow trail in a contest. A potential tilt between the Red Raiders and Trojans in the OIA semis or finals could be an epic one.