Kaua'i, 'Iolani present contrast in styles


Iolani QB Reece Foy has passed for 1,431 yards and 15 TDs this season. ScoringLive file photo
Saturday's First Hawaiian Bank/Hawai'i High School Athletic Association Division II Football Championship semifinal between 'Iolani and Kaua'i was pushed back to a 2:30 p.m. kickoff - a half-hour later than originally planned - due to admissions testing on the 'Iolani campus earlier in the day.

But once the game starts, it will be Kaua'i that hopes to control the clock at Eddie Hamada Field.

The Kaua'i Interscholastic Federation champ Red Raiders (8-1) aim to use its physical rushing attack to keep 'Iolani's fast-paced offense off the field. It worked against Kalaheo last week, when Kaua'i rushed for 274 yards in a 17-13 first-round victory at Vidinha Stadium in Lihue.

Senior running back Darren Acoba led the way with a game-high 153 yards on 14 carries, including touchdown runs of 30 and 29 yards in the third quarter to help the Red Raiders overcome a 7-3 halftime deficit.

'Iolani coach Wendell Look, who was watching from the bleachers with his staff, said he was impressed especially when considering Kaua'i entered the season planning a run-and-shoot attack before its starting quarterback got injured.

"To change their offense to a totally different look in the middle of the season and still execute the way they do, that's phenomenal," Look said. "They're very physical, and very well-coached."

The Red Raiders are hoping to slow down 'Iolani's hurry-up passing attack led by sophomore quarterback Reece Foy, who has completed 127 of 225 passes (56.4 percent) for 1,431 yards and 15 TDs. The fleet-footed Foy also has an uncanny ability to avoid sacks and has rushed for 241 yards on 62 carries (3.9 ypc).

The three-time defending DII state champion Raiders (7-3) have not played since Oct. 29, but Look said his players have stayed busy with their academic and extracurricular activities.

"We gave them some time off to take care of those things, but when we have practiced, we've gone hard," Look said. "It was nice this week to have a specific opponent to prepare for."