Game of the Week
Bulldogs, Saints to meet head-on in D2 showdown


Saturday's matchup between Kaimuki and Saint Francis will feature two of the best — and largest — Division II teams in the state. ScoringLive photo illustration

The football game held at Farrington High School this weekend will have a lot of beef and pancakes to go around.

No, not on the menu — but on the field.

Two of the best — and largest — Division II teams in the state are set to face off when Saint Francis and Kaimuki meet up Saturday night in an interleague matchup at Edward 'Skippa' Diaz Stadium at Henry Kusunoki Field.

The Saints (5-0 overall, 4-0 league) are one of three Oahu teams without a loss while the Bulldogs (4-1, 4-0) have just one blemish, a 28-26 loss in Las Vegas against Sierra Vista.

The matchup will also feature two college-bound linemen in Saint Francis offensive tackle Faaope Laloulu, a 6-foot-7, 350-pound junior, and Kaimuki senior two-way lineman Evangelist "Sama" Paama, who is 6-4 and weighs 355 pounds. Laloulu received an offer from the University of Oregon as a sophomore and Paama gave a verbal commitment to play for the University of Washington.

With Laloulu and 2017 All-Hawaii First Team selection Siotame Haunga (6-1, 280, Sr.) anchoring the Saints' offensive line, Saint Francis is averaging 204.2 yards on the ground in five games.

The Saints also have one of the top defensive lineman in the state in junior Sione Lolohea (6-3, 220), who has amassed 10 tackles for loss in four regular season games to help Saint Francis keep opponents at 53.2 yards rushing a game.

"Saint Francis is a dangerous team as they've been the last two seasons," said Kaimuki coach David Tautofi. "They've got the record to prove it and the stats to so show it. With coach Kip (Akana) leading them, they've got a serious agenda and a title isn't far for them to reach."

Kaimuki also boasts a number of big linemen in two-way players Hunter Mulu (6-1, 245, Sr.) and Siosaia Nisa (6-0, 300, Soph.), and interior offensive linemen Ricky Wells (5-10, 270, Soph.) and Daniel Moefu-Tautofi (5-10, 250, Jr.).

Although the Bulldogs are averaging 45 yards less on the ground than the Saints, they do have an advantage on the defensive front as Oahu teams are averaging just 39.4 yards on the ground against Kaimuki.

With so many similarities between the two teams, Saint Francis coach Kip Akana believes the game will be decided by whoever makes the least mistakes.

"I believe that most games are decided in the trenches and who controls the line of scrimmage, but it's also my opinion that when two teams appear to be equally matched on paper, a lot of times it's not who wins the game as so much as who loses the game. Don't be surprised if the team that wins this game is the team that also has the least amount of penalties and turnovers, and plays better on special teams."

The biggest personnel question heading into the matchup is whether or not Saint Francis star running back Jonan "Bubbah" Aina-Chaves will be available. Aina-Chaves, who leads the state in rushing with 719 yards, hurt his right ankle in a win over Pearl City and did not play in last week's contest against PAC-5.

If Aina-Chaves is unable to go, the Saints will most likely turn to Shepherd Kekahuna, who ran for 110 yards on five carries against the Wolfpack. Kekahuna also leads the team in receiving with 368 yards and three scores on 15 receptions.

"They've got some serious weapons with their skill players," said Tautofi. "For Saint Francis, I don't think they have any weaknesses."



Reach Michael Lasquero at [email protected].