Waipahu Visits Kalaheo For Decisive Game Saturday Night
By Jack Danilewicz
E-mail this story | Print this page | Comments (0) | Archive | RSS | Share
Del.icio.usBehind Enemy Lines: Scouting Kalaheo
When Kalaheo’s Chris Mellor sees Waipahu stand-out Victor Moananu on film, he sees a player who would fit nicely into his own veer offense.
“He’s a real strong runner - I wish he was running for us,” the Windward coach said.
Mellor has a stellar running back of his own in Jesse Carney this year, so his sentiments regarding Moananu speak volumes for the respect he has for the Waipahu senior. Ironically, it could be the supporting casts of both players that will likely determine the outcome in Saturday night’s showdown between Waipahu and Kalaheo. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Kailua High School, Kalaheo’s home away from home.
As their first meeting in three years, the game should figure big in the OIA White Conference race. Waipahu still has key games with Pearl City and Kaimuki ahead, while Kalaheo has a much-anticipated game with Pearl City coming up as well as having just played Kaimuki over the weekend.
“It’s hopefully a battle for one of the top playoff spots,” Mellor said of the Waipahu matchup. “It’s going to be a tough game.”
Mellor labeled Kalaheo “a basketball school in football country” when he took over the program, and the Mustangs have been a prolific offensive machine ever since, running the veer (option) with precision.
Waipahu will see a prototypical Kalaheo offense on Saturday. Heading into last weekend, Kalaheo trailed only Saint Louis and Mililani in total offense, having covered a whopping 1,645 yards in only three games.
The good news for Waipahu is that the Marauders have an efficient offense of their own, which rates only slightly below the Mustangs, statistically. Waipahu already had rushed for nearly 1300 yards (and 19 touchdowns) entering last weekend.
“(Moananu) is a big part of their offense, but they’re also balanced,” Mellor said of Waipahu. “They’re running it well, and they’re passing it well. They have a good staff that knows what they’re doing, so it’s going to be quite the challenge.”
E-mail this story | Print this page | Comments (0) | Archive | RSS
Most Recent Comment(s):
