Da Five
OIA playoff frenzy




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 weigh in on the upcoming OIA Division I football playoffs.

1. Who is due for a breakout game when Moanalua takes on Leilehua Friday?

Brandon Ching, SL reporter: For Moanalua, I always expect big things from Michael Feliciano. He is a tough runner and he's shown the ability to catch the ball from the backfield. I also expect Alakai Yuen to do better and he has some good intangibles and when you give him time to throw and make plays, he will hurt you on the ground or in the air. For Leilehua, I think Ty Keough is the go-to weapon for the Leilehua offense and he is tough to stop. 

Shawn Sueoka, SL contributor: The obvious choice for a breakout game in the Moanalua-Leilehua matchup is Na Menehune running back Michael Feliciano. Leilehua has been susceptible to the run game this year, allowing over 120 yards per game. Feliciano averages almost 100 yards per game just by himself. I think the Mules will focus on stopping Felicano, which will allow junior quarterback Alakai Yuen the opportunity to have a good game. When the young gunslinger has been smart with the football he can throw it with the best of them. The 6-foot-3 Yuen is just 111 yards short of the 2,000 mark for the season and has more than doubled his touchdown to interception ratio (19 to 8).

Michael Lasquero, SL reporter: Both teams have potent offenses that can go off at any time so I'm going to go with a defensive player, Leilehua linebacker Devin Griffith. As others have mentioned, Moanalua running back Michael Feliciano could be the key for a Na Menehune victory. Griffith is an underrated linebacker who should be in the conversation for an All-Hawaii selection when the season is over. I've seen him get into the backfield on occasion, but he will need to flex his pass coverage skills against Moanalua. Na Menehune likes to get Feliciano in space on swing routes out of the backfield and I think Griffith will be able to contain him.

Shayne Pajimola, SL contributor: I'm going with Moanalua running back Michael Feliciano. He did not have a good showing against Mililani, but still contributed in a way. Feliciano will need to have a huge game Friday night if Moanalua wants to keep its season alive. 

Brien Ing, SL founder: Assuming that the Mules scheme to try and keep Michael Feliciano in check, it wouldn't be the worst idea for Na Menehune to try and get wideout Brandon Bender more involved. The 5-foot-10 junior averages an absurd 27.7 yards per reception, and in his last four games he's scored three times on a pass play that went for at least 60 yards.

2. Can the Hurricanes contain Castle WR Jeremy McGoldrick?

Ching: Kapolei has to keep Jeremy McGoldrick in check because he has been a dynamic playmaker for the Knights, but you have to realize he's a very good player so he will find a way to get his numbers and help his team. However, Castle has a lot of good skill players so it's not a good idea to key in on one player because that offense spreads the wealth around. 

Sueoka: Castle's wide receiver Jeremy McGoldrick has wowed us with some amazing 100-plus yard performances. Aside from Kailua, McGoldrick and the Knights have struggled against top-tier defenses. Against Kahuku, Leilehua and Waianae, McGoldrick had 10 catches for 99 yards combined. Kapolei will most likely place its top cover corner Tana Liana on McGoldrick and help out with safeties Ezra Savea and Jay Amina.

Lasquero: Interesting question. For Kapolei to contain McGoldrick, it will have to do something no team has done this year and hold him out of the end zone. McGoldrick and Castle quarterback Willie Ewaliko are a good tag team that have chemistry that can't be measured by stats or on paper. Although Castle is the underdog in this matchup, it has not played in the last two weeks and should be well rested against the Hurricanes. I foresee McGoldrick having a big game and the Knights upsetting Kapolei to get into the quarterfinals.

Pajimola: The Hurricanes won't be able to contain wide receiver Jeremy McGoldrick. I haven't gotten to watch McGoldrick play this season, but the stats and numbers he is putting up is phenomenal. His speed and playmaking ability will be the key difference in a game with so much at stake. McGoldrick's leadership is very key to this Castle team and I see him leading his team into the quarterfinals.

Ing: I think the lack of a run game for the Knights will allow for more focus to be shifted to stopping a go-to receiver like McGoldrick. Still, the goal I think will be to limit rather than contain. The Hurricanes have allowed a receiver to reach triple digits in yardage in 3 of its last 5 games, but they have only given up two touchdowns in the last 12 quarters. Admittedly both of those scores came through the air, but the defensive unit as a whole for Kapolei has played well, and there isn't any reason to think it shouldn't continue this week.

3. Is Kailua the most dangerous team playing in the first round?

Ching: I definitely think so because they play with a lot of confidence and they don't beat themselves. Their offensive line has been sturdy all year giving Noah time to throw and it opens up the running game. Their defense anchored by linemen Christian Mejia and Hano Kohatsu as well as an athletic secondary that bends but doesn't break. If they keep it up, I can see them going far in the playoffs. 

Sueoka: Kailua is the best team playing in the first round followed closely by Kapolei. Offensively Kailua boasts a balanced attack averaging 333 yards of total offense per game, 208 coming through the air and another 125 coming on the ground. Senior quarterback Noah Auld has been an intricate part of the puzzle this year. The 6-foot-2 Auld's touchdown to interception ratio is almost Marcus Mariota like with 23 touchdowns to three interceptions. If Auld is able to take care of the football and their defense continues to have strong performances you can look for the Surfriders to make a deep run into the OIA playoffs.

Lasquero: Yes. Like Castle, the Surfriders have been relatively under the radar since their loss to Farrington. Kailua has all the tools to make a deep run in the playoffs: a smart quarterback, good play in the trenches, a bend but don't break defense and veteran leadership all around. Not to discredit the Surfriders or anything, but I think they've been kicking back the past few weeks to heal up. I feel like Kailua still has something in the tank and that we haven't seen Joe Wong's team at their full potential yet.

Pajimola: Kailua is the most dangerous team playing in the first round, 100 percent. This team wants to prove something to everyone and that's they can win the OIA. Kailua can hang with anyone and they are the dark horse in the playoffs because they can beat any of the top teams in the OIA. This team is scary and have talent on both sides of the ball.

Ing: Kailua is arguably the most dangerous team, and I think the culture and mindset change that team has experienced this year is why. Losing two of three to close out the year is a bit of a concern perhaps, but I believe this senior-laden squad (only 17 underclassmen on the active roster) is determined to make some noise come playoff time. Senior quarterback Noah Auld hasn't been the flashiest at his position, but has made huge strides this year, particularly in his decision making as a passer. Auld's touchdown-to-interception ratio is just a hair under six-to-one and his 55-percent completion percentage is up nearly ten points from his sophomore campaign (Auld sat out most of 2014 with an injury). Another junior leader, Christian Mejia, has been a force on defense, with 12 sacks on the year. He anchors a unit that has allowed just 89 yards per game on the ground.

4. Will the Cougars' lack of depth hurt them against a Campbell team that has nearly 60 guys listed on its roster?

Ching: No, Cameron Higgins and his staff do an excellent job getting their players prepared and they find ways to maximize the talent they are given. I know some of these players have to go both ways and are asked to do even more, but they don't make excuses and they do the best they can. 

Sueoka: Kaiser has been dealing with a lack of depth since the beginning of summer. If Campbell were a punishing ground-and-pound team, I could see the Cougars sterling to the finish line in this one. I don't see it being a problem as they've been playing ironman football since week one. Many thought it would be a struggle for Kaiser, with the early transfer of potential starting quarterback Justin Uahinui, but the Cougars have rallied around seniors Nic Tom, Jensen McDaniel and Parker Higgins to finish third in the tough OIA Red division.

Lasquero: It hasn't hurt them all year and it won't hurt them this week. One key thing to the Cougars' success is their conditioning. When teams feel like they can wear them down, they just kick it into another gear. Even though Campbell will be able to sub fresh bodies on defense, I don't think the Sabers have what it takes to stop Kaiser's run game that has Jensen McDaniel, Parker Higgins and Nic Tom in the lineup. The Cougars will be able to control the tempo of the game and use it to their advantage.

Pajimola: I feel the depth will be factor in this matchup. The key in this game will be fatigue and with Campbell's ability to substitute players in and out to keep bodies fresh, the Cougars' lack of depth will take its toll. I don't feel that they can overcome the odds because of how undermanned this team is and I see them packing it up after this game is done.

Ing: Not particuarly. Defense has certainly been a weak area for Kaiser this year, and points have definitely been put on the scoreboard against Kaiser, but the yards gained by opponents don't seem to indicate a team that is being overpowered due to lack of depth. Limiting Leilehua to 169 yards of total offense and recording four interceptions was a nice confidence boost for a unit that allows an average of 308 yards a contest. Cougars have weapons galore on offense, particularly in the ground game with quarterback Nic Tom and running backs Jensen McDaniel and Parker Higgins, and barring injury of course, depth hasn't seemed to hurt too much.

5. Who are the three OIA Division I teams that make it into the state tournament?

Ching: This is a tough one because there are a lot of deserving OIA teams that should be in the state tournament, but it only comes down to three teams. For now, I think Kahuku and Mililani will get in, but the third spot for me is up in the air. For the last spot in, I think it will come down to Kailua, Waianae or Farrington, but right now, I think the Govs can pull it off to return to the state tournament. 

Sueoka: Right now Kahuku and Mililani are playing on another level compared to everyone else in the OIA. They've been dominant and they've been as good as advertised. They should play each other for the OIA championship on Oct. 30. As for the third spot, I think it will come down to Farrington, Kailua or Waianae. Farrington and Kailua will be a great rematch if the Surfriders can get past Waipahu. If defense means anything in high school football than the Surfriders should make a strong push in the OIA playoffs. Aside from Kahuku, Kailua has allowed the least amount of points this season.

Lasquero: Kahuku, Mililani and Kailua. While Kahuku and Mililani are obvious choices, the third team that will join the two has some mixed results. For Kailua to have a shot at states, they will have to beat Waianae on the road in the quarterfinals. Even though the Surfriders had trouble against the run in their loss to Farrington, most of the yards that the Governors got was on runs in between the tackles. The difference between Farrington and Waianae is that the Seariders' running attack is the Wing-T, which needs their wing backs and quarterback to get to the edge. Kailua's Christian Mejia and Hano Kohatsu are one of the best defensive end tandems in the state and should be able to seal the edge on this aspect. If the Surfriders face off with Farrington in the third place game, I feel like they will be able to avenge their regular season loss to advance.

Pajimola: This is a easy one: Kahuku, Mililani and Farrington will represent the OIA in the state tournament once again. To me these have been the most consistent teams in the OIA all year and I feel these other teams aren't going to beat these guys to get into the tournament. These three teams are very hard to beat with offenses that can score in bunches and defenses that are stout. 

Ing: Start with the two obvious ones, Mililani and Kahuku. Its pretty clear that these two programs are playing on a slightly higher level than most statewide, not to say that there aren't teams capable of knocking them off.  The third spot is where I think there are definitely room for argument. Should all hold true to form, it should be Waianae and Farrington in the third place game, and somehow I think the sheer number of weapons in the Seariders' backfield against what will likely be a pretty worn down Govs' defense (having faced Kahuku's ground and pound) could be the difference. Division I state tournament teams from the OIA should be Trojans, Red Raiders and Seariders.





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

Hawaii Prep's Samura leads All-Hawaii Division selections

Brooke Samura averaged 34.6 points per game in her seniorr campaign, including seven games scoring over...

Lahainaluna's Donez earns All-Hawaii Division I POY honors

Senior guard Lola Donez averaged 26.9 points per game in MIL play and led Lunas to semifinal finish at...

Hirayama delivered in much-needed win for Trojans; Ho powering Buffanblu with prolific junior season

The Mililani junior LHP struck out 10 batters in six innings against Aiea Saturday, while the Punahou...

No. 4 Moanalua sweeps Roosevelt to cap undefeated OIA East season

Na Menehune were too much for the Rough Riders on senior night to finish the OIA East season unbeaten...

Mililani's Vail, Patterson headline All-Hawaii Boys Soccer selections

Seniors Skyler Vail and Parker Patterson named Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, respectively.

Punahou sweeps All-Hawaii Girls Soccer top honors

Carly Cormack repeats as Offensive Player of the Year; Laulea Ah Mook Sang named Defensive POY.