Kalaheo: Depth, But No Home

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Kalaheo High plays Waialua Aug. 20, at Nanakuli Aug. 28, Kalani Sept. 11 (at Kaiser stadium), at Kaiser Sept. 18, Waipahu Sept. 25, Anuenue Oct. 2 (at Kaiser), Pearl City Oct. 9, McKinley Oct. 16. (All Kalaheo home games are at Kailua High.)

Breaking it down: Without its own home field, all but two of Kalaheo’s eight games will be played on a neutral site, making the schedule bittersweet. Not having to go to Pearl City or Waipahu is a blessing, and real road trips to Nanakuli and Kaiser are certainly winnable.

Can’t-miss game I:Waipahu Sept. 25. The Marauders are moving down from Division I and will be in the hunt for the White title. Like the Mustangs, they have a run-first offense, so this could be one of the quickest games of 2010. This game should set the tone for a Mustang playoff run.

Can’t-miss game II: Pearl City Oct. 9. The teams played perhaps the White’s most entertaining game last year when Kalaheo prevailed 25-22 on the road in overtime. All signs point to another epic struggle this time. The winner here obviously improves its title chances. Pearl City also has key players returning.

Upset-alert game: Anuenue Oct. 2. Sandwiched between Waipahu and Pearl City, the Anuenue game could be a let-down, given that the Rainbow Warriors were just 2-6 last year. Like Kalaheo, Anuenue typically gets the most out of smallish rosters and can usually score points. This is a classic trap game.

Worst-case scenario in the OIA: Mustangs finish 3-5 in the OIA White, defeating Waialua, Kalani and Anuenue and losing to Nanakuli, Kalani, Kaiser, Waipahu, Pearl City and McKinley.

Best-case scenario in the OIA: Mustangs finish 7-1 in the OIA White, defeating everyone but Waipahu and moving on to post-season.

Make plans for post-season if: the Mustangs depth can hold up. As in past years, Kalaheo will have a smaller roster than many of its opponents. The difference-maker in the Chris Mellor era has been the team’s ability to develop a solid corps of twoway standouts.