Kamehameha-Maui moves back into Top 25 of Lasquero’s Football Power Rankings

Michael Lasquero gives his Top 25 best teams in the state heading into the 12th weekend of the Hawaii High School Football season.

1. Kapolei (7-1)

Previous rank: 1

Last week: idle

This week: idle

Analysis: As the No. 1 seed in the OIA Open Division playoffs, the Hurricanes will await the winner between fourth-seeded Campbell and fifth-seeded Leilehua.

2. Mililani (8-1)

Previous rank: 2

Last week: idle

This week: idle

Analysis: As the No. 2 seed in the OIA Open Division playoffs, the Trojans will await the winner between third-seeded Kahuku and sixth-seeded Kailua. Mililani might also have a mid-season addition to the team when they take on its next opponent.

3. Kahuku (6-4)

Previous rank: 3

Last week: beat No. 23 Kailua, 43-0

This week: vs. No. 24 Kailua Saturday

Analysis: Sophomore ATH Legend Toilolo scored on two interception returns as the Red Raiders’ defense accounted for 20 total points — all in the second quarter — in their homecoming victory. Kahuku and Kailua will redo their matchup this weekend in a televised quarterfinal game.

4. Campbell (6-3)

Previous rank: 4

Last week: idle

This week: vs. No. 17 Leilehua Friday at Waipahu

Analysis: Without a home field that can host games, the Sabers will take on the Mules at a neutral site in the opening round of the OIA Open Division quarterfinals. Campbell won the regular season meeting between the two teams, 28-3.

5. Waipahu (9-1)

Previous rank: 5

Last week: beat Roosevelt, 63-0

This week: idle

Analysis: The Marauders picked up their third shutout win of the season and their eighth in a row as they completed an undefeated run through the OIA Division I regular season. They will host Nanakuli in the league semifinals next weekend.

6. Kamehameha (4-4)

Previous rank: 6

Last week: beat No. 11 Saint Louis, 34-14

This week: idle

Analysis: Junior WR Jayden Braun accounted for four total touchdowns as the Warriors locked up the ILH Open Division championship and state berth in their third straight win. Sophomore QB Loea Keopuhiwa also had his best game of the season, completing 70 percent of his passes for 180 yards and four scores without an interception.

7. Kapaa (4-1-1)

Previous rank: 7

Last week: idle

This week: vs. Waimea Saturday

Analysis: The Warriors will try to complete a sweep of the season series against Waimea when they host the Menehune at Brian Baptiste Sports Complex this weekend. Kapaa won the earlier two regular season meetings by a score of 19-0 and 28-0.

8. Konawaena (5-1)

Previous rank: 8

Last week: idle

This week: at Keaau

Analysis: After a two-week hiatus, the Wildcats return to the field in their regular season finale at the Cougars’ stadium.

9. Aiea (7-1)

Previous rank: 9

Last week: beat No. 20 Farrington, 39-8

This week: at No. 10 Waianae Friday

Analysis: Senior WR Kila Spencer accounted for three scores — all in the third quarter — when he scored on a 80-yard kickoff return to begin the period and caught scoring passes from 28 and 15 yards out from sophomore QB Fatboy Jesus-Kapesi. This weekend’s game against Waianae will determine who gets to host the semifinal matchup between the two squads next week.

10. Waianae (7-1)

Previous rank: 10

Last week: beat Radford, 41-6

This week: vs. No. 9 Aiea Friday

Analysis: Senior ATH Tyler Perez put his name to be in the running for any special teams player of the year award when he kicked five PATs and scored on a 45-yard punt return against Radford in the Seariders’ third straight win. A win against Aiea this weekend will ensure Waianae gets to host against the following week when the two teams meet in the semifinals.

11. Saint Louis (1-7)

Previous rank: 11

Last week: lost to No. 6 Kamehameha, 34-14

This week: at No. 13 Punahou Saturday

Analysis: The Crusaders needed a win against the Warriors to have a chance at the ILH title, so they will just be playing for pride this weekend when they travel to Punahou. Saint Louis won the first meeting with the Buffanblu, 13-3.

12. KS-Hawaii (6-2)

Previous rank: 12

Last week: beat No. 25 Honokaa, 43-18

This week: vs. Hilo Friday

Analysis: Junior RB Dallas Enriquez had his best game of the season when he rushed 23 times for 131 yards and three TDs as the Warriors handed the Dragons their first loss of the season. They close out the regular season against the Vikings, who they defeated by a score of 56-0 on Sept. 18.

13. Punahou (1-5-1)

Previous rank: 13

Last week: idle

This week: vs. No. 11 Saint Louis Saturday

Analysis: With Kamehameha clinching the league crown, the Buffanblu just have pride to play for with two home games on their slate against their ILH rivals.

14. Saint Damien (4-3)

Previous rank: 14

Last week: beat Pac-Five, 46-14

This week: at No. 16 Iolani Friday

Analysis: Sophomore QB Tonga Tuifua had one of his best games of his career  when he threw for 209 yards and had touchdown passes to five different receivers against the Wolfpack. Senior LB Jay-Sean Aquino also scored his second pick-six of the season in as many games in the Monarchs’ first game back on the field since Sept. 25. Damien will try to lock up the league title this weekend against the Raiders.

15. Baldwin (7-1)

Previous rank: 15

Last week: beat Lahainaluna, 13-3

This week: vs. Maui at King Kekaulike Friday

Analysis: The Bears became the first team to earn their way into the state tournament with a strong defensive showing against the Lunas on their home field.

16. Iolani (5-2)

Previous rank: 16

Last week: idle

This week: vs. No. 14 Damien Friday

Analysis: It’s do-or-die time for the Raiders as they need a win against the Monarchs this weekend to force a winner-take-all playoff for the ILH Division I title and berth into the state tournament. Iolani lost the previous meeting to Damien, 35-14. The Monarchs picked off the Raiders four total times in that contest, with two of those going back for scores.

17. Leilehua (1-6)

Previous rank: 17

Last week: idle

This week: vs. No. 4 Campbell Friday at Waipahu

Analysis: The Mules look to extend their season and dethrone reigning state champion Campbell with a win in this weekend’s playoff game at a neutral site. Leilehua has recorded two interceptions in the two previous matchups with the Sabers, with senior CB Willie Canyon accounting for three of those takeaways.

18. Nanakuli (5-4)

Previous rank: 18

Last week: beat No. 21 Moanalua, 21-17

This week: idle

Analysis: The Golden Hawks punched their ticket into the OIA Division I playoffs with a close win over Na Menehune, with junior WR Zhyrisen Kahalekai hauling in six receptions for 86 yards and two TDs.  They will have a week off before traveling to Waipahu in the league semifinals.

19. Kalaheo (8-0)

Previous rank: 19

Last week: beat Castle, 62-21

This week: idle

Analysis: The Mustangs remained as the only undefeated team in the state with a blowout win at their Windward rival’s home field.  Junior ATH Zayne Farley ran for two scores and scored on a 24-yard interception return to cap Kalaheo’s perfect regular season.

20. KS-Maui (6-1)

Previous rank: 22

Last week: beat King Kekaulike, 27-14

This week: vs. Kulanihakoi Saturday

Analysis: The Warriors punched their ticket into the Division II state tournament with a 13-point win over Na Alii.

21. Farrington (3-7)

Previous rank: 20

Last week: lost to No. 9 Aiea, 39-8

This week: season over

Analysis: Junior ATH Lexzyah Faumui threw a touchdown pass and ran in a 2-point conversion in the Governors’ season-ending loss to Aiea.

22. Moanalua (3-7)

Previous rank: 21

Last week: lost to No. 18 Nanakuli, 21-18

This week: season over

Analysis: Junior QB Azariah Withy-Allen threw two touchdown passes — his first reported scoring passes of the season — in Na Menehune’s season-ending loss to the Golden Hawks.

23. Pearl City (8-1)

Previous rank: 24

Last week: beat McKinley, 49-0

This week: idle

Analysis: The Chargers notched their third shutout win of the season as senior RB Alohi Gaspar ran for two touchdowns in the victory. They will host Kaiser in the OIA Division II semifinals next weekend.

24. Kailua (0-8)

Previous rank: 23

Last week: lost to No. 3 Kahuku, 43-0

This week: at No. 3 Kahuku Saturday

Analysis: The Surfriders will look to extend their season this weekend in the OIA Open Division playoffs when they travel to Kahuku for the the second straight week.

25. Honokaa (7-1)

Previous rank: 25

Last week: lost to No. 12 KS-Hawaii, 41-18

This week: vs. Kau (canceled, Kau forfeit)

Analysis: Senior RB Chrys Coelho rushed for 186 yards and a score, but the Dragons suffered their first loss of the season against the Warriors. Honokaa essentially has two weeks off before taking on the winner between Hawaii Prep and Kohala in the BIIF Division II championship game.