Sizing Up The Windward Gridiron Battle
By Jack Danilewicz
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Some things you guess at, some things you assume, and some things you just know. Take a look at Friday’s matchup between host Castle and Kailua.
What to watch: The state’s best rivalry aside, both teams need a win here to help their cause in the race to make the OIA football post-season. The Knights were on an uncharacteristic two-game losing streak heading into a bye in Week Four. They returned to action last weekend against McKinley. The Surfriders have overcome a disappointing Week One, when they were overwhelmed by Kahuku 36-0, to tighten things up defensively with solid efforts against Kaimuki (a 13-7 win) and Farrington (a 17-7 loss) and a good-enough-to-win defensive effort in Week Two versus McKinley (a 23-21 loss). Their No. 1 target will be Castle’s Shaydon Kehano, arguably the top skill-position player in the state.
Both teams have had their share of injuries in 2009. Castle lost four players to season-ending injuries as of last week, while the Surfriders had three key players (linebackers Calen Friel and Martin Lagazo and quarterback Kahaku Iaea) leave the Farrington game with injuries.
Kailua won last year’s meeting 21-20 - their first win in the series since 2002 - with a couple of late scores.Heading into last weekend, both teams had one common opponent to date - Kaimuki. Kailua beat the Bulldogs 13-7 on Sept. 11, while Castle defeated Kaimuki 38-9 on Aug. 29. Castle coach Nelson Maeda is 8-5 in this series, having won six of the last seven.
Key Matchup: Kailua defensive front versus the Castle offensive line.With the Knights determined to get Kehano his share of touches,the Surfriders’ best bet is to get to Castle quarterback Jaymason Lee in an attempt to wreak havoc and take the Knights out of rhythm. Despite its many weapons, Castle struggled to find the end zone in losses to Farrington and Roosevelt, tallying 8 and 15 points, respectively. For the Knights to regain the timing they showed in the passing game in their OIA opener against Kaimuki (a 38-9 win), the line has to win this battle. Castle center Eric Owen-Watts was lost for the year due to an injury.
Unit to Watch: The Castle secondary, whose rotation features play-makers in Austin Dawson, Lowen Rogers, Henrick Hicks and Hans Reppuhn, who is back after missing two games.
Why Kailua might win: Even with lingering injury issues, the Surfrider defense is a lot more stout than it appears. Five turnovers and three blocked punts did Kailua in during its 36-0 loss to Kahuku in the OIA Red East opener. Remember, too, that Kailua shut out a good Farrington team in the first half of Week Four in an eventual 17-7 defeat. If the Surfrider offense can control the ball (with the running of Clinton Aina) and keep Kehano and Castle’s offense off of the field,and generate a pass rush on the defensive side, the game could settle into a defensive struggle, which may favor the visitors.
Why Castle might win: The Kailua offense has been limited to 13 points or less in three of their four league games, so this looks like a favorable matchup for Castle’s defense. While the Knights conceded a huge day to Roosevelt quarterback Matthew Lono-Holani via the air in Week Three, Kailua will most likely have to be balanced offensively versus the Knights’ defense - which is their biggest challenge.
Key question:Who wins the special teams battle? It’s a rare Castle-Kailua encounter where special teams don’t play a big role.
Saturday’s Headline:“Lee, Castle, Rely On Big Second Half In Win Over Kailua.” After trailing 6-0 in the first half,the Castle defense will play lights-out, forcing two of three turnovers on the night. Jaymason Lee will throw for two scores, and the Knights will add another touchdown on special teams in a 21-6 win.
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