Saint Louis falls out of the Top 10 in latest Football Power Rankings

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

1. Mililani (7-0)

Previous rank: 1

Last week: beat No. 2 Campbell, 35-30

This week: at No. 23 Kailua Friday

Analysis: Sophomore WR Ashton Grace had a breakout game with nine receptions for 137 yards and two TDs as the Trojans outlasted the Sabers in their toughest game of the year. The biggest thing that impressed me was the improved special teams play by Mililani as Damen Nakagawa’s kickoff return is what sparked the team’s comeback after falling 10-0 to start the game.

2. Campbell (5-2)

Previous rank: 2

Last week: lost to No. 1 Mililani, 35-30

This week: at No. 18 Leilehua Friday

Analysis: Senior QB Dallas Carter had one of his best games as a Saber in his return to Mililani with 283 yards passing and four touchdowns, which included two scoring strikes to Landyn Tamayo. Campbell actually gained over 100 yards of total offense more against the Trojans, which increases the hype for when the two teams have their eventual rematch later this year.

3. Kapolei (5-1)

Previous rank: 3

Last week: beat No. 23 Kailua, 58-14

This week: vs. No. 4 Kahuku Saturday

Analysis: Two different players recorded scoring hat tricks in senior RB Mikey Kapahu and junior ATH Zeph Salis in Kapolei’s blowout road win. Senior LB Kaimana Sione also had an incredible game against the Surfriders, tallying 13 tackles with five TFLs and three sacks in another strong defensive performance by the Hurricanes.

4. Kahuku (4-3)

Previous rank: 4

Last week: beat No. 18 Leilehua, 50-6

This week: at No. 3 Kapolei Saturday

Analysis: The Red Raiders snapped a three-game losing streak with a strong win at home against the Mules to set up a rematch of last season’s OIA Open Division championship game this weekend at Kapolei.

5. Waipahu (6-1)

Previous rank: 5

Last week: beat No. 9 Waianae, 42-14

This week: at No. 21 Moanalua Friday

Analysis: The stars came out to play for the Marauders in another dominant win. Sophomore WR Jayse Braun had his best game in a Waipahu uniform with eight receptions for 222 yards and three TDs. The last final regular season games for the Marauders are against teams that are trending to miss the playoffs.

6. Kamehameha (3-4)

Previous rank: 6

Last week: beat No. 10 Saint Louis, 23-3

This week: idle

Analysis: The Warriors’ offensive struggles came back against the Crusaders, gaining just 91 yards of total offense, but that didn’t matter with how strong their defensive unit was. Four different players recorded interceptions for Kamehameha, which included Frank Abreu’s 14-yard pick-six in the first quarter.

7. Punahou (1-4-1)

Previous rank: 7

Last week: lost to Cardinal Newman (California), 22-21

This week: at No. 13 Saint Louis Saturday

Analysis: The Buffanblu suffered their fourth straight loss of the season, but all of their losses have been in close games. They have a big opportunity to get their first win since Week 1 this weekend against Saint Louis.

8. Kapaa (2-1-1)

Previous rank: 8

Last week: idle

This week: vs. Waimea Saturday

Analysis: The Warriors will look for their third straight win this weekend as they host Waimea for the second time this season.

9. Aiea (4-1)

Previous rank: 13

Last week: beat Radford, 36-0

This week: at Roosevelt Friday

Analysis: Na Alii is back in the Top 10 this week after a dominant bounce back performance against the Rams. Sophomore ATH Kaipo Higa-Pogia had a breakout game running the ball with 10 carries for 127 yards and two TDs.

10. Waianae (4-1)

Previous rank: 9

Last week: lost to No. 5 Waipahu, 42-14

This week: at No. 20 Farrington Friday

Analysis: Despite the loss, sophomore RB Maxumus Quon-Kaleiopu continues to be a model of consistency with his fifth straight 100-yard rushing game. The Seariders proved they have the physicality to match up against Waipahu, they just lacked the ability to prevent the big play from happening in their first loss of the year.

11. KS-Hawaii (4-1)

Previous rank: 11

Last week: vs. Keaau (canceled)

This week: at No. 12 Konawaena Friday

Analysis: The Warriors will look to complete the regular season sweep over the Wildcats this weekend when they travel to Kealakekua.

12. Konawaena (3-1)

Previous rank: 12

Last week: at Hilo (canceled)

This week: vs. No. 11 KS-Hawaii Friday

Analysis: The Wildcats will try to avenge their first loss of the season when they host KS-Hawaii on Friday after a last week’s games on the Big Island were canceled due to Hurricane Nolo.

13. Saint Louis (0-6)

Previous rank: 10

Last week: lost to No. 6 Kamehameha, 23-3

This week: vs. No. 8 Punahou Saturday

Analysis: The Crusaders fall out of the Top 10 after another tough loss, but their season is far from over. Saint Louis still has an opportunity to turn things around and win the ILH championship, but it needs to start this weekend when it hosts Punahou in the team’s final home game of the year.

14. Saint Damien (3-3)

Previous rank: 16

Last week: beat No. 14 Iolani, 35-14

This week: idle

Analysis: After an 0-3 start, the Monarchs have evened their record with a big win over rival Iolani in the team’s first game since the school officially changed its name to Saint Damien. Two defensive scores — one each by Shea Benedict and Jay-Sean Aquino — contributed to a 28-point second quarter that the Monarchs rode to victory.

15. Baldwin (5-1)

Previous rank: 15

Last week: vs. Maui (postponed)

This week: vs. Maui at King Kekaulike Saturday

Analysis: After Hurricane Nolo pushed back their game against the Sabers, the Bears will retake the field this weekend.

16. Iolani (4-2)

Previous rank: 14

Last week: lost to No. 16 Damien, 35-14

This week: idle

Analysis: The Raiders dropped their regular season opener after giving up four interceptions to the Monarchs, two of which were returned for scores. Iolani will have a week off to regroup before hosting PAC-5.

17. Nanakuli (3-3)

Previous rank: 19

Last week: beat No. 17 Farrington, 28-0

This week: vs. Radford Friday

Analysis: The Golden Hawks climb back up the rankings after their second straight shutout victory. A win this weekend against the Rams will put Nanakuli above .500 for the first time since 2022.

18. Leilehua (0-5)

Previous rank: 18

Last week: lost to No. 4 Kahuku, 50-6

This week: vs. No. 2 Campbell Friday

Analysis: The Mules scored their first points in over a month in a road game against the Red Raiders over the weekend.

19. Kalaheo (5-0)

Previous rank: 20

Last week: beat Waialua, 44-13

This week: vs. McKinley Saturday

Analysis: The Mustangs continue to roll in OIA Division II play and are one of three teams in the state that are still undefeated.

20. Farrington (2-5)

Previous rank: 17

Last week: lost to No. 19 Nanakuli, 28-0

This week: vs. No. 10 Waianae Friday

Analysis: The Governors saw their brief winning streak come to an end with a shutout loss on the road to the Golden Hawks.

21. Moanalua (3-4)

Previous rank: 21

Last week: beat Roosevelt, 21-18

This week: vs. No. 5 Waipahu Friday

Analysis: Sophomore RB Titan Te’o combined for 162 yards and two TDs of total offense as Na Menehune got back into the win column in a close game against the Rough Riders. Moanalua can afford a loss to Waipahu in league play, but need to get wins over Aiea and Nanakuli in order to reach the postseason.

22. KS-Maui (4-1)

Previous rank: 22

Last week: vs. Kulanihakoi (postponed)

This week: vs. Kulanihakoi Friday

Analysis: The Warriors will face the Manta Rays for the second time this season after beating them 63-0 in round one.

23. Kailua (0-5)

Previous rank: 23

Last week: lost to No. 3 Kapolei, 58-14

This week: vs. No. 1 Mililani Friday

Analysis: Senior WR Tayvin Kahele caught five passes for 78 yards and a 23-yard score to help the Surfriders avoid the shutout against the Hurricanes.

24. Pearl City (5-1)

Previous rank: 25

Last week: beat No. 24 Kaiser, 52-27

This week: vs. Kaimuki at Farrington Saturday

Analysis: Junior QB Jayden Delos Santos set a single-game passing record and became the ninth passer all-time in the state to throw for over 500 yards when he threw for 503 yards and six TDs on 32-for-43 passing in the win over the Cougars.

25. Honokaa (4-0)

Previous rank: –

Last week: at Hawaii Prep (canceled)

This week: vs. Kealakehe Friday

Analysis: The Dragons make their first appearance in the Top 25, being one of three teams left in the state that’s still undefeated.