Punahou flies up to No. 7 in Lasquero’s High School Football Power Rankings

Michael Lasquero gives his Top 25 best teams in the state heading into the final weekend before the Hawai’i High School Football state tournament.

1. Kapolei (8-1)

Previous rank: 1

Last week: beat No. 4 Campbell, 30-0

This week: at No. 2 Mililani Saturday

Analysis: The Hurricanes left no doubt in their semifinal win over Campbell, avenging their lone loss of the season so far in shutout fashion. Sophomore QB Jonez Nunuha continues to take care of the ball and three for 153 yards and one TD to complement the rushing attack led by senior RB Mikey Kapahu.

2. Mililani (9-1)

Previous rank: 2

Last week: beat No. 3 Kahuku, 26-15

This week: vs. No. 1 Kapolei Saturday

Analysis: The Trojans scored the first 12 points of the game, then gave up 15 straight points before scoring the final 14 points of the night in a rollercoaster win against Kahuku. The game really could have gone either way late into the game until junior QB Hunter Fujikawa found junior WR Hayden Bajet for the dagger touchdown with 2:04 remaining in the game.

3. Kahuku (7-5)

Previous rank: 3

Last week: lost to No. 2 Mililani, 26-15

This week: vs. No. 4 Campbell Saturday at Mililani

Analysis: The Red Raiders nearly pulled off another signature win of the season with junior RB Blazyn-Brave Nunuha running for two third-quarter TDs to give Kahuku a lead late. Even though Mililani had the advantage heading into the fourth quarter, the Red Raiders still had an opportunity thanks to a Samuel Taeu interception late in the game. However, I do question the decision to punt on fourth down after the takeaway because the Trojans was able to take a two-score lead.

4. Campbell (7-4)

Previous rank: 4

Last week: lost to No. 1 Kapolei, 30-0

This week: vs. No. 3 Kahuku Saturday at Mililani

Analysis: It was probably the Sabers’ worst showing of the season after getting shutout on the road against Kapolei as Campbell’s quarterback room combined for three interceptions. Self-inflicted mistakes doomed Campbell in the regular season on the road against Kahuku, so perhaps playing at a neutral site this weekend might favor the Sabers in this must-win game to get into states.

5. Waipahu (10-1)

Previous rank: 5

Last week: beat No. 18 Nanakuli, 54-14

This week: vs. No. 10 Aiea Friday at Pearl City

Analysis: The Marauders are the first to 10 wins this season in a efficient semifinal win over Nanakuli that saw sophomore QB Jake Garcia complete all seven of his passes for 230 yards and three TDs while senior RB Tristan Pacheco rumbled for 170 yards and three scores on 16 carries.

6. Kamehameha (4-5)

Previous rank: 6

Last week: lost to No. 10 Punahou, 9-6 (OT)

This week: idle

Analysis: The loss was irrelevant for Kamehameha — and yes, the Warriors were mixing up between starters and reserves — but this was not a good look for the ILH representative in the Open Division state tournament. Junior DB Nainoah Samia had seven total tackles in the loss for Kamehameha.

7. Punahou (3-5-1)

Previous rank: 10

Last week: beat No. 6 Kamehameha, 9-6 (OT)

This week: season over

Analysis: What a way to end the season for the Buffanblu with two overtime wins at home against rivals Saint Louis and Kamehameha. Defense has been solid for Punahou all season, notably allowing just one offensive score on the road against OIA foes Kahuku and Kapolei. The 2026 edition of the Buffanblu definitely deserves some “what if” conversations.

8. Konawaena (7-1)

Previous rank: 8

Last week: beat Hilo, 56-0

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

Analysis: Freshman QB Hayzn Lopes had his best game of his young career with 271 passing yards and six touchdown passes in a BIIF Division-I semifinal win over the Vikings. The Wildcats host the Warriors this weekend to determine the league champion.

9. Kapaa (6-1-1)

Previous rank: 7

Last week: beat Kauai, 14-0

This week: idle

Analysis: Yes, the Warriors did finish the regular season undefeated through KIF play, allowing just one touchdown in six games — but they take a drop in this week’s rankings by scoring just one offensive TD in what was their slimmest victory of the season. Kapaa could also potentially be without one of its top playmakers on offense in the state tournament.

10. Aiea (8-2)

Previous rank: 11

Last week: beat No. 9 Waianae, 30-0

This week: vs. No. 5 Waipahu Friday at Pearl City

Analysis: One week after losing a by a slim 17-14 margin, Aiea came away with its signature win of the season to punch Na Alii’s ticket back into the state tournament with a road shutout victory over the Seariders. Senior WR Cason Brooke showed off his versatility by rushing for 145 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries while hauling in four passes for 39 yards and a score in the win.

11. KS-Hawaii (8-2)

Previous rank: 12

Last week: beat Waiakea, 42-8

This week: at No. 8 Konawaena Friday

Analysis: Six different players found the end zone in the Warriors’ BIIF Division-I win over Waiakea as KS-Hawaii cruised to victory. Next up is a winner-take-all matchup against Konawaena as KS-Hawaii will try to reach the state tournament in its first season since moving up from Division II.

12. Waianae (8-2)

Previous rank: 9

Last week: lost to No. 11 Aiea, 30-0

This week: season over

Analysis: This was the most disappointing loss for the Seariders as for the first time all season, standout sophomore RB Maxumus Quon-Kaleiopu did not reach the end zone or rush for over 100 yards as he was held in check with just three yards on the ground.

13. Saint Louis (1-8)

Previous rank: 13

Last week: season over

This week: season over

14. Baldwin (8-1)

Previous rank: 15

Last week: idle

This week: at Lahainaluna Saturday

Analysis: The Bears will look to try and complete an undefeated run through MIL play when they travel to Lahainaluna this weekend in the final game of the regular season.

15. Saint Damien (5-4)

Previous rank: 16

Last week: beat No. 14 Iolani, 20-13

This week: idle

Analysis: Receiver-turned-quarterback Wyatt Ho-Williams ran for 172 yards and two scores while throwing for another in the Monarchs’ ILH championship-clinching win over the Raiders. Damien isn’t at full strength offensively, but it is finding ways to get the job done. Steele DeRego led the defensive unit with six tackles.

16. Iolani (6-3)

Previous rank: 14

Last week: lost to No. 16 Saint Damien, 20-13

This week: season over

Analysis: Senior WR Aka Lau Kong caught six passes for 62 yards and a TD in the Raiders’ season-ending loss. Iolani had more red zone opportunities than Damien, but couldn’t quite breakthrough in what was a tightly played match between both squads.

17. Leilehua (1-7)

Previous rank: 17

Last week: season over

This week: season over

18. Nanakuli (5-5)

Previous rank: 18

Last week: lost to No. 5 Waipahu, 54-14

This week: season over

Analysis: The Golden Hawks kept things close for the early part of the first half before the Marauders pulled away with their plethora of playmakers. Despite finishing with a .500 record, you can make an argument that Nanakuli could have reached the state tournament if one-score games against Aiea and Waianae in the regular season went the Golden Hawks’ way.

19. Kalaheo (9-0)

Previous rank: 19

Last week: beat Castle, 31-13

This week: vs. No. 25 Kaiser Thursday at Farrington

Analysis: Senior RB Marquez Mellor rushed for 227 yards and two TDs to clinch the Mustangs’ first state tournament appearance since 2010. Sophomore DB Ziren Jardine led the effort defensively with two interceptions on his birthday in the win over the Knights.

20. KS-Maui (7-1)

Previous rank: 20

Last week: idle

This week: vs. King Kekaulike Friday

Analysis: The Warriors are already locked into the state tournament, so this weekend’s game against Na Alii has no bearing. KS-Maui can decide to finish the season strong with the team’s sixth straight win — or it can play its reserves for some valuable playing time.

21. Farrington (3-7)

Previous rank: 21

Last week: season over

This week: season over

22. Moanalua (3-7)

Previous rank: 22

Last week: season over

This week: season over

23. Kailua (0-9)

Previous rank: 24

Last week: season over

This week: season over

24. Honokaa (7-1)

Previous rank: 25

Last week: idle

This week: vs. Hawaii Prep Saturday

Analysis: The Dragons will try to clinch their first BIIF Division II title and state berth since 2022 with a home game against Ka Makani this weekend in what will be their first game on the field in three weeks. Honokaa won the regular season meeting between the two teams, 52-0.

25. Kaiser (7-2)

Previous rank: –

Last week: beat No. 23 Pearl City, 24-14

This week: vs. No. 19 Kalaheo Thursday at Farrington

Analysis: The Cougars are back in the Top 25 after a commanding semifinal win on the road thanks to a 10-0 halftime advantage. Junior DL Xander Knopp had six tackles with a sack and forced fumble in Kaiser’s win that also clinched a state berth.