Lahainaluna, the top-ranked team in the ScoringLive/OC16 Division II Power Rankings, remained undefeated with a 49-0 blanking of King Kekaulike Friday night at War Memorial Stadium.

It was the second shutout this season for the Lunas, who improved to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the Maui Interscholastic League with the win. They have outscored the opposition, 147 to 20, including 119 to 7 in their last three contests.

"Year after year we bank on our defense a lot," Lahainaluna co-head coach Garret Tihada said. "King K was down a lot of players and they have a small team to begin with, so I don't think that's the real King K team that we'll face later this year."

The Lunas' defense, which is allowing an average of just five points and just under 110 yards per game, was lights out once again Friday. Lahainaluna allowed just 14 yards of total offense and led King Kekaulike, 35-0, at halftime.

Christian Whitehead scored two of the Lunas' seven rushing touchdowns. As a team, they averaged 9.1 yards per carry and totaled 301 rushing yards for the game.

"We have yet to have everybody suited up due to injuries or grade, but this week I think we look pretty healthy," Tihada said.  

The Lunas, who reached the Division II state title game a year ago only to lose to Iolani 36-33, play reigning MIL Division I champion, Baldwin Friday at War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku. The teams split their two meetings last season; Lahainaluna won the first game, 32-0, and Baldwin avenged the loss with a 20-17 win in overtime the second time around.

"Baldwin has been putting up some points, they're big - like every other Baldwin team has been in the past - so I really don't' know what to expect," Tihada said of the Bears. "It seems like every year we play Baldwin they seem to really play their 'A-game' and I don't expect anything less from them this year. It should be a good battle."


Trojans may be without senior linebacker for next game

While Mililani, the No. 4 team in the SL/OC16 D1 Power Rankings, came away with a 39-12 win at Waipahu Friday, it may have lost a key defender for its next contest.

Senior outside linebacker Jacob Afele was ejected on the second play of the Trojans' OIA Red West game against the Marauders at Masa Yonamine Athletic Complex. Afele, who is 6-foot and 220 pounds, was penalized for illegal helmet contact after he tackled Waipahu quarterback Kai Mercado-Aiona. However, after the tackle, Afele appeared to taunt Mercado-Aiona as he got up and an official near the play threw another flag.

After a discussion amongst the officiating crew, Afele was disqualified from the contest. By OIA league rules, he must also sit out the next immediate game, which for Mililani is a home game against Campbell on Sept. 21.

Trojans' coach Rod York said he is appealing the ejection through Mililani athletic director Glenn Nitta and OIA football coordinator Harold Tanaka. He said he hopes to hear back from a committee reviewing the ejection by Tuesday.

Junior Kaimana Wilson replaced Afele at outside linebacker for the remainder of Friday's game, and finished with six tackles. Losing Afele against Campbell, however, puts added pressure on the rest of the defense to step up against an already dangerous Saber offense that is averaging nearly 30 points and more than 355 yards per game.

Mililani, which rested running back Vavae Malepeai (ribs) against Waipahu, has a bye this week.


Radford wins wild one in the White

A week after it took a shellacking on its home field, Radford rebounded with a 47-37 win over Kalani in a wild OIA White Conference game Friday.

Running back Tobias Powell rushed for 173 yards and four touchdowns on just 13 carries to lead the way for the Rams, who racked up 270 rushing yards. Quarterback Cody Lui-Yuen threw for 273 yards and two touchdowns on 19-of-24 passing. Wide receivers Jameson Pasigan (eight receptions for 122 yards) and Absolom Henry (6 receptions for 106 yards) each caught a touchdown pass from Lui-Yuen.

Kalani was led by a trio of seniors on offense in quarterback Noah Brum (387 pass yards, 5 touchdowns), Enrique Gruver (11 rushes for 128 yards) and Brandon Roberts (10 receptions for 154 yards, 4 touchdowns).

The teams combined for 137 plays from scrimmage, 1,051 yards of total offense, 12 touchdowns and five lead changes.


Other news and notes from the weekend

-Hawaii Prep, the No. 7 team in the D2 Power Rankings, scored a huge upset with its 34-21 win at reigning BIIF D1 champion Kealakehe Saturday. Quarterback Koa Ellis threw for 190 yards with two touchdowns and running back Bobby Lum ran for 101 yards and two scores for Ka Makani (3-1, 1-1). HPA plays another D1 team Friday in Waiakea before a showdown against D2 powerhouse Konawaena on Sept. 21.

-After a hot 2-0 start in the OIA White, Kalaheo has lost its last two games to fall into a tie for fifth place in the nine-team conference. The Mustangs were blown out at home Friday by Pearl City, 49-8. Conversely, it was the second straight win for the Chargers.

-Roosevelt picked up its first win of 2013 with its 24-14 victory over Anuenue Friday in another OIA White contest. The Rough Riders got a pair of defensive scores on interception returns by Kainalu Pitoy and Jonathan Yi. Roosevelt (1-4, 1-3) plays Kalani and Anuenue (0-4, 0-3) visits Pearl City Friday.