Mustangs Face White Showdown Friday
By Jack Danilewicz
E-mail this story | Print this page | Comments (0) | Archive | RSS | Share
Del.icio.us
|
Chris Mellor never fails to set the stage for place-kicker Dongwoo Kim in practice at Kalaheo.
The leading scorer in the state, with three field goals and 24 point-after kicks entering last weekend, Kim could find himself in a position to deliver big in the clutch in coming weeks, including Friday’s OIA White showdown with Campbell, which could determine the league champion.
“We always imagine the scenario in practice - this one (field goal) is for the state title, conference title ...,” head coach Mellor said, who took over in 2006.“He’s been quite a surprise. Because we’ve been scoring a lot, he gets a lot of opportunities, and he’s been taking advantage. He nails 50-yarders in practice, although he hasn’t been asked yet in a game.”
The 2008 season will move beyond this Friday (also Senior Night), as the team has already qualified for the OIA playoffs.And yet, there can be no doubt that the Campbell game, at 7:30 p.m. at Kailua High School, is the most significant for Kalaheo in what has already been a successful run under Mellor. Although only 26 strong for Friday’s game, the Mustangs have rolled to wins in the first four of their first five league games, heading into last weekend’s game with Anuenue,and have been dominant en route. Kalaheo enters this weekend leading the entire state in the two statistics that matter most - scoring defense (6.7 points per game) and scoring offense (29.1).
Campbell has been equally impressive. While the Mustangs’ special teams, led by Kim, could figure big Friday night,the matchup between their defense and Campbell’s offense should impact the outcome.
Saber quarterback Lalo Respicio has been intercepted only twice, while throwing for a state-best 17 touchdowns in leading Campbell’s 4-1 start (6-1 overall) in the White division. He’s completed 71 of 109 of his passes for 1,400 yards.
“Those numbers speak for themselves,“Mellor said.“That’s the sign of a good decision-maker.”
For their part, the ability to pressure the quarterback has been one of Kalaheo’s fortes in 2008, and Mellor said that’s plainly the focus again this week.
“We hope to put major pressure on him and hit him every play,“said Mellor,whose team’s only loss came to Moanalua on Sept. 27. “They have a high-powered offense; they’re good, crisp and efficient,” he added.
The Sabers also feature one of the state’s top play-makers in Samson Anguay, who scored 11 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2007 and has six more this year.
Leading Kalaheo’s defense is line-backer Shawn Reed, the state’s No. 9-rated player, according to Rivals.com. The team also hopes its veer-option offense can limit the amount of time the Saber offense can get onto the field. On that note, they’ll rely on their balance behind quarterback Phil Tauai (seven rushing touchdowns; 791 passing yards and four TD tosses), running back Shane Stephens and receivers Dwayne Mitchell and Alapai Gonzales.
E-mail this story | Print this page | Comments (0) | Archive | RSS
Most Recent Comment(s):
