'Aiea to face rejuvenated Wai'anae


Leighton Panui and the Waianae offense exploded for 42 points against previously unbeaten Mililani. Robin Sakamoto | Special to SL
No matter what happened to Wai'anae last week, it wasn't going to be easy for 'Aiea Friday night.

Na Ali'i will face the Seariders at Wai'anae's Raymond Torii Field in an O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red West game at about 7:30 p.m.

The Seariders (1-3 overall, 1-1 Red West) were a loss away from tying their worst start since 1964, when they started off 0-4. But they stunned No. 6 Mililani, 42-28, last week for their first win of the season.

"I guess it is better to them after such a big win than to play them (if) they were 0-4," reasoned 'Aiea coach Wendell Say in an e-mail.

"Wai'anae did not look like the team I saw against Saint Louis, Kahuku and Campbell. They looked more polished and seasoned. We need to move on from last week's loss to Kapolei and we are hoping that we will do better offensively against Wai'anae."

'Aiea (2-1, 0-1) suffered its first loss of the season, 7-0, to Kapolei last week.

Wai'anae played like its historical self, dominating the ground game with 263 rushing yards and netting 18 of 22 first downs via the run in thrashing the Trojans. Wai'anae had nine different players rush the ball, but four of them had 45 or more yards. The Wilson brothers, QB Puletua and RB James, had two rushing TDs apiece.

Meanwhile, 'Aiea netted just 102 yards of offense against the Hurricanes.

CAMPBELL AT NO. 6 MILILANI, 7:30 p.m. Friday

The Trojans (3-1) will host the Sabers (2-2, 1-1), who will be without three starters, two on defense, because of injuries sustained in last week's loss to Leilehua.

Sophomore starting QB Justin Tago (concussion), nose guard Sheldon Maae (neck/shoulder) and linebacker Giovanni Stevenson (hand) will not play against the Trojans, coach Amosa Amosa said.

Mililani is looking to avenge its loss to Wai'anae. QB Trent McKinney is still a major threat. He threw for 244 yards and three TDs against the Seariders. SB Bryson Calma and WR Hassan Richardson each had eight catches last week.

KAPOLEI AT RADFORD, 7:30 p.m. Friday, live on OC16

The Rams (1-2, 0-1), coming off a bye, will host the Hurricanes (1-3, 1-1), who are coming off a 7-0 win against 'Aiea.

Radford can hit its opponents on the ground and through the air behind QB Maika Ulufale (427 yards passing) running back Phil Hogan (205 yards).

The Hurricanes have a strong ground attack with RB Keaka Fernandez (307 yards).


Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at [email protected].