Hurricane Fever Heats Up As Kapolei Takes On Farrington
By Jack Danilewicz
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Del.icio.usThe fall of 2008 will be remembered throughout the Hurricane Nation as one of milestones for the Kapolei football program - a first-ever win over Mililani Sept. 3 and a riveting win over Waipahu in the first-ever meeting between the schools Sept. 19. On Friday night, the Hurricanes meet another of the OIA’s tradition-laden programs when they play Farrington in a first-round playoff game at 7:30 at Roosevelt High School. A breakdown of the game, which will be televised on statewide television by OC 16, follows.
Why to watch: Aside from its obvious importance within the OIA playoff format, this should be an entertaining matchup between two of the more physical teams in the state.
Scouting Kapolei: The Hurricanes enter the post-season having already been involved in only two games decided by six points or less, both of which they won, which is a good omen. All signs point to a defensive battle in this contest. Except for a 34-0 loss at Waianae Aug. 29, a game in which the Hurricanes were saddled with injury-issues, the Kapolei defense has been stout for most of the year, giving up 15.3 points per game. Two-way line-men Luke Spencer, Chad Lopati and Stan Hasiak are the leaders of the unit up front, while Cyril Ontai II and linebacker Simione Vehikite were two of the West’s best during the recently completed regular season.
Offensively, Kapolei is averaging 22.3 points per game behind quarterback Noah Pascua and
running backs Vehikite and Ontai II. With a balanced attack likely needed on offense versus the Governors, the Hurricanes figure to need another big game from Pascua, who has thrown for 816 yards with nine touchdowns against just six interceptions.
Scouting Farrington: The Governors’ resume is impressive after a 5-1 run through the OIA’s Red East conference. Farrington’s only loss came to Kahuku, 13-6, on Oct. 3. Even with that defeat, Farrington enters this weekend’s playoff opener having won their games by the average score of 24-6. Along the way, the Governors have projected the image of an old-school team, winning games by running the ball on offense and stopping the run, defensively. In fact, the Governors yielded only 6.5 points per game in their six league games, tops in the OIA.
Running back Apelu So’oalo is one of the best at his position, while quarterback Dayton Kealoha is a threat as both a runner and a thrower. Governors wide receiver Drake Miller also rates among the state’s leaders with 317 yards on 21 catches and three touch-downs.
Matchup to keep an eye on: The Kapolei defense versus the Farrington ground game. Like Kahuku, whom the Hurricanes faced in the second round of last year’s OIA playoffs, Farrington wants to run the ball first and foremost behind its tough and agile offensive line. While Kealoha has shown the ability to make plays in the passing game, those plays haven’t always added up to points. First down will be a key down for the Kapolei defense, which wants to force Farrington into a predictable play-call on second, and third, downs. If Kapolei can contain the Governors’ run-game, its chances are greatly enhanced.
Kapolei player to watch: Ontai II. A two-way standout, he’s been a mainstay on the Kapolei defense since his sophomore year. Offensively, he’s a tough runner who averages 11.3 yards per carry.
Farrington player to watch: So’oalo. His six rushing touch-downs is second among running backs in the OIA. Above all, he and the Farrington offense have been able to wear most teams down in the second half of games with their unrelenting physical play. So’oalo averages 5.2 yards per carry.
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