At 6-0, Mililani holding strong atop Lasquero’s latest HS Football rankings

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

1. Mililani (6-0)

Previous rank: 1

Last week: beat No. 3 Kahuku, 28-6

This week: vs. No. 2 Campbell Saturday

Analysis: Without their top two receivers, the Trojans adjusted accordingly and featured junior RB Toa Sam with the former Red Raider running for a season-high 111 yards and two TDs against his former team. Junior DL Kalai Nihipali led the defense with eight total tackles, 2.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks while DB Nui Gilman and LB Toa Satele each forced a fumble. Saturday’s game against the Sabers is without question the game of the week.

2. Campbell (5-1)

Previous rank: 2

Last week: beat No. 22 Kailua, 64-7

This week: at No. 1 Mililani Saturday

Analysis: Senior DB Isaiah Chong forced a fumble, intercepted two passes and scored a defensive score as the Sabers picked up their fifth straight win of the season. The ground game also contributed five scores as all three running backs found the end zone. Senior QB Dallas Carter will look to get some redemption this weekend as he takes on his former team.

3. Kapolei (4-1)

Previous rank: 4

Last week: beat No. 15 Leilehua, 42-0

This week: at No. 23 Kailua Saturday

Analysis: The Hurricanes got back into the win column over the weekend with a revamped passing game that saw three different quarterbacks combine for 299 passing yards and three scores. Senior WR Ha’alilio Lemamea-Oto was the beneficiary of the conscious decision to air ir out with four receptions for 104 yards and one TD. Senior LB Kaimana Sione had himself a day with 10 total tackles and a sack in the win over the Mules.

4. Kahuku (3-3)

Previous rank: 3

Last week: lost to No. 1 Mililani, 28-6

This week: vs. No. 18 Leilehua Saturday

Analysis: Starting with the positives, the Red Raiders do deserve credit in holding the high-powered Mililani offense to its lowest scoring output so far of the season. The reason why Kahuku moves down however is because its last win was in the month of August. The Red Raiders will have plenty of opportunity to move up the ranks in the coming weeks based on what the teams ahead of them do.

5. Waipahu (5-1)

Previous rank: 5

Last week: beat No. 9 Aiea. 49-21

This week: vs. No. 9 Waianae Friday

Analysis: Senior RB Tristan Pacheco rushed for 194 yards and two TDs on just 10 carries as the Marauders avenged last season’s loss to Aiea with a big win. Friday’s homecoming game against Waianae will probably be Waipahu’s biggest test before the postseason.

6. Kamehameha (2-4)

Previous rank: 6

Last week: idle

This week: at No. 10 Saint Louis Saturday

Analysis: The Warriors resume regular season play this weekend with an afternoon game against Saint Louis in what is a potential trap game. Kamehameha was able to get better production offensively the last time it saw the field so we’ll see if it can carry over against the Crusaders.

7. Punahou (1-3-1)

Previous rank: 7

Last week: idle

This week: vs. Cardinal Newman (California) Saturday

Analysis: The Buffanblu will try to snap a three-game losing streak with a non-conference game against the visiting Cardinals from Santa Rosa.

8. Kapaa (2-1-1)

Previous rank: 8

Last week: beat Kauai, 37-0

This week: idle

Analysis: Senior ATH Kaitin Mundon threw for 137 yards and two TDs as the Warriors resumed KIF play with their second straight shutout victory by scoring the most points in a game so far this season. Senior DL Siotame Malafu routinely got into the backfield in the win with two sacks and a blocked punt that resulted in a safety.

9. Waianae (4-0)

Previous rank: 11

Last week: beat No. 19 Moanalua, 36-0

This week: at No. 5 Waipahu Friday

Analysis: The Seariders earned their second straight shutout win of the season and did all their scoring in the first half as sophomore RB Maxumus Quon-Kaleiopu ran for 157 yards and four TDs on just nine carries in the victory over Na Menehune. Waianae will put its undefeated streak on the line this weekend when it travels to Waipahu.

10. Saint Louis (0-5)

Previous rank: 10

Last week: lost to St. John Bosco (California), 63-21

This week: vs. No. 6 Kamehameha Saturday

Analysis: The Crusaders held their own in the first half against a nationally-ranked team in their first game since parting ways with head coach Tupu Alualu. Sources tell me that the school is also replacing both offensive and defensive coordinators so there is some element of surprise when Saint Louis begins ILH play this weekend. Yes, Saint Louis is 0-5 and questionably a Top 10 team, but there is still a possibility they pull out a win against Kamehameha. If not, they will drop in next week’s rankings.

11. KS-Hawaii (4-1)

Previous rank: 12

Last week: beat Hilo, 56-0

This week: vs. Keaau Friday

Analysis: Sophomore QB Kahekili Makekau completed 6 of 6 passes for 213 yards and five TDs in the Warriors’ first shutout win of the season.

12. Konawaena (3-1)

Previous rank: 13

Last week: beat Keaau, 61-0

This week: at Hilo Friday

Analysis: Senior DL Zane Fujihara-Faavesi made seven total tackles, with six of them coming behind the line of scrimmage in the Wildcats’ second straight shutout win of the season. Freshman ATH Kailewa Silva-Kealoha also helped the effort with his second straight game with multiple interceptions.

13. Aiea (3-0)

Previous rank: 9

Last week: lost to No. 5 Waipahu, 49-21

This week: at Radford Friday

Analysis: Senior WR Cason Brooke caught eight passes for 129 yards and two TDs in what was Aiea’ first setback of the season. Na Alii had no problem moving the ball and even out-gained the Marauders offensively, but they did give up over 200 yards on the ground, allowing 12.1 yards per rush attempt. Aiea will have pair of winnable matchups the next two weekends before a harder stretch to end the season.

14. Iolani (4-1)

Previous rank: 14

Last week: idle

This week: vs. No. 16 Damien Friday at Farrington

Analysis: The Raiders get into their regular season schedule this weekend against the Monarchs in a televised game on OC16.  Iolani has not won a game against Damien since 2023, losing the previous six meetings.

15. Baldwin (5-1)

Previous rank: 17

Last week: beat Lahainaluna, 27-19

This week: vs. Maui Friday at King Kekaulike

Analysis: Lahainaluna’s revamped passing attack had the Bears on upset alert early on before junior WR Ryan Coppa took over with eight receptions for 187 yards and three TD in the televised win. Senior LB Jaystin Perreira also made his presence felt with 11 total tackles in the victory.5

16. Damien (2-3)

Previous rank: 16

Last week: idle

This week: vs. No. 14 Iolani Friday at Farrington

Analysis: The Monarchs have won their previous six meetings against Iolani and is riding some momentum with two straight wins heading into the matchup.

17. Farrington (2-4)

Previous rank: 18

Last week: beat Radford, 28-0

This week: at Nanakuli Saturday

Analysis: The Governors are starting to turn things around after losing four games to start the season with a shutout performance over the Rams. Getting a win this weekend against the Golden Hawks will show whether or not Farrington has what it takes to make the league playoffs.

18. Leilehua (0-4)

Previous rank: 15

Last week: lost to No. 4 Kapolei, 42-0

This week: at No. 4 Kahuku Saturday

Analysis: The Mules had another tough loss in Open Division play over the weekend against Kapolei. Things don’t get any easier when they travel to the North Shore this Saturday to take on the Red Raiders.

19. Nanakuli (2-3)

Previous rank: 20

Last week: beat Roosevelt, 30-0

This week: vs. No. 17 Farrington Saturday

Analysis: Junior QB Allix Yap accounted for three total scores as the Golden Hawks got back into the win column with their first shutout win of the season. This weekend’s game against Farrington is a pivotal matchup that has playoff ramifications if Nanakuli wants to make the postseason tournament.

20. Kalaheo (4-0)

Previous rank: 21

Last week: beat No. 24 Pearl City, 37-28

This week: at Waialua Thursday

Analysis: The Mustangs continue to roll through the competition after picking up a crucial win against Pearl City over the weekend. Kalaheo has already played some of the top teams in the OIA Division II schedule so it’s very likely that the team will be undefeated at the end of the regular season.

21. Moanalua (2-4)

Previous rank: 19

Last week: lost to No. 11 Waianae, 36-0

This week: at Roosevelt Friday

Analysis: Na Menehune was shutout for the first time this season in a game where the Seariders did all their scoring in the first half. Fortunately for Moanalua, the winless Rough Riders are up next on the schedule so expect the team to bounce back into the win column this weekend.

22. KS-Maui (4-1)

Previous rank: 23

Last week: beat King Kekaulike, 31-7

This week: vs. Kulanihakoi Friday

Analysis: Junior RB Xander Pagan rushed for 120 yards and three TDs on just 12 carries in the Warriors’ win over Na Alii. They are in the heart of the MIL Division II schedule now so it’s very likely that the Warriors will win the remainder of their regular season games before the state tournament.

23. Kailua (0-4)

Previous rank: 22

Last week: lost to No. 2 Campbell,  64-7

This week: vs. Kapolei Friday

Analysis: It was another tough one for the Surfriders in a battle between last year’s Division I state champion and last year’s Open Division state champion. Senior DB Honor Kept made four tackles and intercepted a pass to lead Kailua in the loss.

24. Kaiser (3-1)

Previous rank: 25

Last week: beat Kaimuki, 48-8

This week: at No. 25 Pearl City Friday

Analysis: Sophomore RB Ivan O’Malley had his best game of his career with 86 yards rushing and three TDs on just nine carries in the Cougars’ homecoming win over the Bulldogs. This weekend’s game against the Chargers will likely determine home field advantage when the two teams likely face off in the league semifinals.

25. Pearl City (4-1)

Previous rank: 24

Last week: lost to No. 21 Kalaheo, 37-28

This week: vs. No. 24 Kaiser Friday

Analysis: The Chargers took the early lead against the Mustangs, but gave up 23 straight points in the second quarter and never recovered from the first-half deficit as the two teams traded scores the rest of the way. Junior WR Kaze Teixeira caught five passes for 27 yards and two scores to give Pearl City a fighting chance.