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Predictions Of Things To Come For Kapolei’s Football Team

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Some things you guess at, some things you assume, and some things you’re sure of. A look at this weekend’s OIA Red Division playoff matchup between Farrington and Kapolei.

(Actual date and kickoff time were to be finalized over the weekend, although Kapolei is assured of hosting the game).

What to watch: Both teams have had two weeks off, each with an open date in Week Six of the OIA Red Conference season.Kapolei’s last game was a 41-24 triumph against then-unbeaten Mililani, which marked the Hurricanes’ third straight road win. Kapolei also defeated Nanakuli and Waipahu in that stretch after having incurred heart-breakers against both Leilehua (at home) and defending Division II state champion Iolani (away). The Governors’ only loss was a 16-14 defeat against Red East champion Kahuku - a game in which Farrington had led 14-0 at intermission.

Kapolei hasn’t played on its home field in over a month; the Leilehua game Sept. 11 being its last appearance.

Key matchup: Kapolei’s defensive front versus Farrington’s offensive line.

The Hurricanes’ chances in this game are tied to their ability to stop the run. Govs’ running back Harry Tuimaseve leads Division I backs with 872 yards on the ground, and he’s getting 5.5 yards per carry, so the Hurricane defense will have to hold him in check and force Farrington into 3rdand-long situations to give themselves an opportunity to win. The Hurricanes struggled earlier in the season in stopping the run-game versus power teams.Waianae put up three rushing touchdowns covering 62, 32 and 7 yards against them in Kapolei’s Red West Aug. 21 opener. Waipahu’s vaunted ground attack rushed for 180 yards against Kapolei Sept. 18, led by Victor Moananu’s 132 yards on 20 attempts. The Marauders averaged 4.7 yards per carry that night. To win, Kapolei likely will have to keep the Governors under three yards per attempt.

Unit to watch: Kapolei’s linebacker corps of Dustin Elisara, Tu’u Lolohea and Shaydon Akuna. Stopping the run game begins in the trenches, but it’s the linebackers who will need to make the key stops.

Why Kapolei might win:

The Hurricanes have played as well as anyone over the past month, closing out their Red West slate with three wins in four weeks. The only defeat in that stretch was a 14-10 loss to Leilehua in which the Mules converted a 4th-andtwo from midfield for a 50-yard score that sealed the verdict. Offensively, Kapolei is a different-looking team than four weeks ago, having installed Shaydon Akuna behind center in certain situations to take advantage of his play-making abilities. Out of the lineup the first four games with injuries, Akuna is currently ranked as the top college prospect in the state by Rivals.com. He made his first start at quarterback against Mililani, taking 75 percent of the snaps, and accounted for 85 yards of offense while scoring three times on that side of the ball.

Kapolei coach Darren Hernandez acknowledged that veteran Noah Pascua (924 passing yards, six touch-downs) is still No. 1 behind center and that Akuna logged more plays against Mililani because he had “the hot hand.”

Why Farrington might win: Because the Governors are as physical as any team in the state - a point driven home in their narrow loss to Kahuku Oct. 2 - and can control the clock and the game with their power ground attack. Farrington put together scoring drives covering 61 and 70 yards, respectively, against Kahuku, with all the damage done by way of the run. Governors tackle 280-pound Keith Chargualaf-Tuimaseve leads the way up front. Even when in passing situations, Farrington has been able to come up with big plays in the run game. It converted three times on third down in the same drive against Kahuku, all via the run.

Defensively, the Governors have given up the fewest points in the OIA beside Kahuku, yielding 10.1 points per contest through their eight games in 2009.

Key question: Who wins the special teams battle? The Hurricanes played huge on special teams in their win over Mililani Oct. 2, with Kainoa Pakele and Donnie King both returning kickoffs for touch-downs.

Saturday’s Headline: Upset Special: Kapolei Gets Past Farrington. The Kapolei defense will bend, but not break, and Shaydon Akuna will account for three scores as Kapolei pulls away midway through the fourth quarter for a 21-10 win.