Knights Battle Governors Friday
By Jack Danilewicz
E-mail this story | Print this page | Comments (0) | Archive | RSS | Share
Del.icio.us
|
To the Castle football team, the only statistics that truly matter are the figures in their won-lost column. Even so, coach Nelson Maeda is pleased with his defense’s overall numbers as he dissected the riveting 19-14 win over Kaimuki Aug. 23 in the OIA opener for both schools.
The Knights won the turnover battle by a resounding 3-0 count, highlighted by Kawehi Sablan’s 48-yard interception return for the winning touchdown. Castle also limited a physical Bulldog offense to only 125 yards in 63 plays from scrimmage.
While that game is deep in the past now, it represented the kind of grit Maeda hopes his team can maintain heading into Friday night’s key OIA Red East game with Farrington. The Knights are in the midst of a brutal four-game stretch that began with a preseason encounter with Mililani and continued the past two weeks with Kaimuki and last Friday’s game against ILH favorite Punahou.
“Our defense will have to play a great game,” Maeda said of Friday’s game with Farrington. “They run the ball very well, of course, but they also have good receivers and a good quarterback, so they’re doubly dangerous. Their offensive line is humongous, and they have good feet - they’re very quick for their size. They’re a very punishing group.”
On paper, the game should help sort out the Red East race. The Governors have won the last two games between the schools, including a 25-15 decision last season, after the Knights had reeled off six straight wins in the series.
“The road to the title always runs through Kahuku, but Farrington is right there,“Maeda noted.
As was expected when they opened fall practice, defense has carried the day so far. Sablan’s interception against Kaimuki capped a monster night for the senior linebacker as he tallied eight tackles. Two went for lost yardage, while he added a pair of sacks as well. Fellow linebacker Kevin Aipia Jr. had a team-high three sacks and a forced fumble, while defensive end Garrett Paredes totaled a team-best 10 tackles.
Maeda also is pleased with the secondary, most notably Hans Reppuhn and Shaydon Kehano. “Hans played a steady game against Kaimuki - he shut down the receivers on his side - and Shaydon has been very active in patrolling the middle.”
Farrington’s offense is ripe with play-makers, led by running back Apelu Sooalo, fellow running back Anthony Noga, and dual-threat quarterback Dayton Kealoha.
“It’s going to be a battle - they have size and athleticism,” Maeda said. “We’ll have to control the ball and keep their offense off of the field.”
Like the Knights, Farrington has used its own defense to set the tone in its first two games. Coached by Randall Okimoto, they held Roosevelt to 111 rushing yards and 81 passing yards in Week Two. Against Waianae in their Red East opener Aug. 15, they held the Seariders to 36 rushing yards and 76 more in the air in a 20-7 road win.
Farrington has also received stellar play from its special teams.
Special teams also were a focal point for Castle last week, after they gave up a punt return for a touchdown to Kaimuki, only to see it nullified by a penalty. They also conceded a kickoff return for a touchdown to Mililani.
“We’ve had some breakdowns, so we need to focus on better coverage. We can’t give them any opportunities to score.”
E-mail this story | Print this page | Comments (0) | Archive | RSS
Most Recent Comment(s):
