After season-opening loss, Campbell climbs to No. 2 in Lasquero’s latest HS Football rankings

Michael Lasquero gives his Top 25 best teams in the state heading into the seventh weekend of the Hawaii High School Football season.

1. Mililani (5-0)

Previous rank: 1

Last week: beat No. 12 Leilehua, 43-0

This week: vs. No. 3 Kahuku Saturday

Analysis: The Trojans continued their strong start to 2026 by picking up their third shutout of the season against Leilehua. The last time Mililani allowed a touchdown was in the season opener against Liberty. Sophomore ATH Ashton Grace had a breakout game offensively in the win over the Mules with seven receptions for 89 yards and one TD to give QB Hunter Fujikawa another trusted target to throw to opposite WR Bless Cabrera-Hopkins. First real test is this weekend against the Red Raiders.

2. Campbell (4-1)

Previous rank: 4

Last week: beat No. 2 Kapolei, 17-14

This week: at No. 22 Kailua Saturday

Analysis: The team from Ewa Beach is one of the hottest teams in the state right now after knocking off Kapolei with 17 straight points before holding off the Hurricanes. You can make the argument that the first touchdown that Campbell scored shouldn’t have counted, but it was relatively early enough in the game. The one concern I have though is the Sabers did not score an offensive touchdown against the Hurricanes. Still, a defense that held Kapolei to just 105 yards of total offense is championship-caliber.

3. Kahuku (3-2)

Previous rank: 3

Last week: lost to St. John Bosco (California), 49-13

This week: at No. 1 Mililani Saturday

Analysis: After sweeping the ILH big three, the Red Raiders challenged themselves in losses to top teams from out of state. The edge Kahuku has this weekend against the top team in the state is that its squad has shown it can perform in the clutch. Outside of the Trojans’ season opener against Liberty, Mililani has relatively been on cruise control the past month. If the score is close in the second half, Kahuku might be able to pull off the upset.

4. Kapolei (3-1)

Previous rank: 2

Last week: lost to No. 4 Campbell, 17-14

This week: vs. No. 15 Leilehua Friday

Analysis: The Hurricanes suffered their first loss of the season in a game that you can argue they should have won if the officials correctly officiated Campbell’s kickoff return. Still, great teams should be able to overcome those early setbacks. Not developing a vertical passing game in the preseason definitely came back to bite Kapolei last weekend. It is not a good look that four different players attempted a pass — and the only touchdown pass thrown was by a non-quarterback. The Hurricanes do have a few get-right opponents to close out the September schedule so it would be wise if they worked on the passing game while they can.

5. Waipahu (4-1)

Previous rank: 5

Last week: beat No. 16 Nanakuli, 78-0

This week: vs. No. 9 Aiea Friday

Analysis: The win against Nanakuli was expected, the margin of victory was not. The Marauders have outscored their regular season opponents, 144 to 0, in their first OIA Division I contests and have no intentions of slowing down. Sophomore QB Jake Garcia threw for 207 yards and two TDs and added three more rushing scores on the ground in the rout. Waipahu is a team playing in the wrong division this season and won’t be ranked any higher than No. 5 the rest of the season.

6. Kamehameha (2-4)

Previous rank: 6

Last week: beat No. 7 Punahou, 16-6

This week: idle

Analysis: It wasn’t the cleanest win, but it was a much-needed one. Junior WR Loea Asuega-Stark had a huge game to get the Warriors in the win column with 10 receptions for 134 yards and a 27-yard receiving touchdown. Kamehameha will take the victory into its first bye week of the season after being the only team in the state to play a game every week in the first six weeks of the season.

7. Punahou (1-3-1)

Previous rank: 7

Last week: lost to No. 6 Kamehameha, 16-6

This week: idle

Analysis: It was going to be a tough one for a young Buffanblu team going on the road to take on rival Kamehameha, but they did get a much-needed boost in the fourth quarter when senior RB Aaron Johnson found the end zone to help snap a string of eight scoreless quarters. Depending on what happens across the state in the next two weeks, Punahou is in danger of dropping lower on this list without a quality win this season to its resume so far this year.

8. Kapaa (1-1-1)

Previous rank: 8

Last week: vs. Kauai (postponed)

This week: idle

Analysis: Hanapepe Ballpark, the site of last weekend’s scheduled game against Kauai, was heavily affected by Hurricane Lowell as the rest of the island tries to recover from the storm’s impact. The Warriors will have a week off before taking on Waimea in round No. 2 to close out the September schedule.

9. Aiea (3-0)

Previous rank: 9

Last week: idle

This week: at No. 5 Waipahu Friday

Analysis: Na Alii has been waiting to play a game since going undefeated in the month of August with a trio of one-possession victories. Aiea has a tough task going against a powerful Waipahu team that blew out the same Nanakuli team that Aiea beat earlier in the year, but HC Mika Liilii’s defense did outscore the Marauders’ offense in last year’s meeting.

10. Saint Louis (0-4)

Previous rank: 10

Last week: lost to Sierra Canyon (California), 52-0

This week: vs. St. John Bosco (California) Saturday

Analysis: A coaching change midseason is tough for any program, but its up to the players and coaches that remain to make the best of the situation. There is a legitimate concern that the Crusaders might finish the season 0-9, which is just  unbelievable to fathom for those that remember their dominance in multiple decades. Like Punahou, Saint Louis is in danger of falling out of the Top 10 if the product on the field doesn’t improve.

11. Waianae (3-0)

Previous rank: 11

Last week: idle

This week: vs. No. 19 Moanalua Friday

Analysis: The Seariders are back in action after a rare double bye. They will host a Moanalua squad that was embarrassed on homecoming, giving them a good test before traveling to Waipahu to close out September.

12. KS-Hawaii (3-1)

Previous rank: 13

Last week: beat Waiakea, 56-12

This week: at Hilo Friday

Analysis: The Warriors continue to roll with quarterbacks Kahekili Makekau and Lekahi Coloma combining for six touchdown passes with senior SB Chaseton Wong having a breakout game with eight receptions for 168 yards and two scores in the win over Waiakea.

13. Konawaena (2-1)

Previous rank: 14

Last week: beat Kealakehe, 63-0

This week: vs. Keaau Friday

Analysis: The Wildcats got back in the win column with senior QB Keenan Alani throwing for five touchdowns as the defense held the Waveriders to negative 23 yards of total offense in their second shutout victory of the season. Konawanea should have no problem with the rest of its September schedule and should be 4-1 before its rematch against KS-Hawaii.

14. Iolani (4-1)

Previous rank: 17

Last week: beat Keaau, 63-6

This week: idle

Analysis: The Raiders have quietly climbed up the ranks and is one of the more welcomed surprises of the season in Pat Samsonas’ inaugural season as the head coach of the program. Senior ATH Ayden Teranishi turned in all three of his receptions into touchdowns in Iolani’s high-scoring win over the visiting Cougars.

15. Leilehua (0-3)

Previous rank: 12

Last week: lost to No. 1 Mililani, 43-0

This week: at No. 4 Kapolei Friday

Analysis: Record wise, the Mules are not having a good season to start 2026, but it’s not their fault that they are stuck playing in the wrong division. Senior LB Jack Beaulieu had an impressive game with 10 total tackles and two TFLs in the loss to Mililani and is one of the most slept on defensive prospects in the state. Friday’s game against Kapolei is expected to be a loss, but if Leilehua is able to shut down the Hurricanes’ run game, this game could be much tighter than expected.

16. Damien (2-3)

Previous rank: 19

Last week: beat No. 18 Kailua, 35-22

This week: idle

Analysis: The Monarchs picked up a pair of much-needed wins after going 0-3 in the month of August as they head into the bye week with some momentum. Senior WR Wyatt Ho-Williams continues to deliver with his third 100-yard game of the season with six receptions for a season-high 156 yards and a 54-yard score in the win over Kailua.

17. Baldwin (4-1)

Previous rank: 20

Last week: beat Kulanihakoi, 43-6

This week: vs. Lahainaluna Friday at KS-Maui

Analysis: The Bears earned their fourth straight win of the year and has looked like the best team on Maui so far six weeks into the season. They’ll have an opportunity to show how good they are to a wider audience this weekend when they take on the Lunas at a neutral site in a televised game on OC16.

18. Farrington (1-4)

Previous rank: 25

Last week: beat No. 15 Moanalua, 51-19

This week: vs. Radford Friday

Analysis: The Governors are back in business after their dominant showing at Managua’s homecoming. Junior RB Tabu Nathan rushed for 205 yards and two TDs while junior LB Kale Lundvall showed off his playmaking ability on defense by picking off two different quarterbacks and returning it to the house. Sophomore QB Kenzo Kawai only threw two passes, but he set the tone with his rushing ability with scoring runs for Farrington’s first two touchdowns. Don’t count out Farrington just yet.

19. Moanalua (2-3)

Previous rank: 15

Last week: lost to No. 25 Farrington, 51-19

This week: at No. 11 Waianae Friday

Analysis: The loss to Farrington was a big hit on homecoming, but the gameplay wasn’t as lopsided as the final score indicated. Giving up three defensive scores is not a recipe for success for any team. Moanalua did make adjustments to give itself a chance, but it was a little too late. Subbing out of their base three-man front when playing run-heavy teams is something Na Menehune should consider in the future. The biggest question is does Moanalua still operate as a spread offense, or does the team switch to a I-formation system to feature RB Titan Te’o — which was successful with the play-action passes in the second half against Farrington.

20. Nanakuli (1-3)

Previous rank: 16

Last week: lost to No. 5 Waipahu, 78-0

This week: at Roosevelt Friday

Analysis: I expected more out of the Golden Hawks in their game against Waipahu, but the Marauders are just on another level right now playing in the wrong division. Nanakuli has a solid chance to get back into the win column this weekend against winless Roosevelt.

21. Kalaheo (3-0)

Previous rank: 21

Last week: beat No. 22 Kaiser, 56-27

This week: at No. 24 Pearl City Saturday

Analysis: The Mustangs look like the cream of the crop in the OIA Division II race after a surprisingly lopsided victory over Kaiser last weekend. Senior ATH Loch Moorman had one of his best games as a passer for Kalaheo with three touchdown passes while senior RB Marquez Mellor stole the show with 302 yards rushing and five scores on just 14 carries in the win over the Cougars. A win this weekend against the Chargers will likely mean that the Mustangs go through the regular season undefeated.

22. Kailua (0-3)

Previous rank: 18

Last week: lost to No. 19 Damien, 35-22

This week: vs. No. 2 Campbell Saturday

Analysis: For the record, the Surfriders are not a bad team. They just have to replace over 30 players that were lost to graduation. Kailua even had the lead over Damien at one point in this game, but giving up two scores in the final 67 seconds of the first half and then giving up a pick-six in the third quarter was the difference in what could have been the team’s first win of the season. Junior ATH Timothy Kailiehu showed a spark in the fourth quarter playing the quarterback position and having a hand in two scores.

23. KS-Maui (3-1)

Previous rank: 23

Last week: beat Maui, 28-18

This week: vs. King Kekaulike Friday

Analysis: The Warriors got back into the win column with sophomore QB Ryder De Silva throwing for 218 yards and three TDs — two of which went to Bruce Beltran. The running game also was effective with four different ball carriers combining for 140 yards on the ground. Friday’s game against Na Alii is the first of three games against their upcountry rivals.

24. Pearl City (4-0)

Previous rank: 24

Last week: beat Kalani, 48-0

This week: vs. No. 21 Kalaheo Saturday

Analysis: The Chargers are riding high after a dominant showing against the Falcons as quarterbacks Jayden Delos Santos and Brydan Gaoiran each threw three touchdown passes in the blowout victory. Junior RB Cole Reason also was solid on the ground with 109 yards rushing and one TD on 16 carries. Saturday against the Mustangs will be Pearl City’s first real test of the season.

25. Kaiser (2-1)

Previous rank: 22

Last week: lost to No. 21 Kalaheo, 56-27

This week: vs. Kaimuki Friday

Analysis: The Cougars suffered their first setback of the season after losing a shootout to Kalaheo. Despite two interceptions thrown, Kaiser did enough on offense to win the game — but it was the team’s run defense that was most concerning as the Mustangs were able to rumble for 407 yards rushing on the ground. The Cougars will have a solid chance to get back into the win column this weekend when they host the Bulldogs.