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These two combatants are undefeated in the state of Hawaii and have felt the wounds inflicted by two mainland opponents.
And now they meet on the field.
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On Saturday night on the North Shore, No. 2 Mililani visits No. 1 Kahuku in a game that will decide the OIA Open regular season championship and the league’s top seed in the playoffs.
Not everything is on the line here. A loss won’t be fatal, but neither of these teams want to play second fiddle.
Right now, Kahuku has earned its top billing. The Red Raiders (7-2, 5-0) are the defending league and state champions, and a year ago they came out on the top end of two games against the Trojans (6-2, 5-0) — 55-20 in the regular season and 21-14 with a second half rally in the OIA title game.
“Mililani, it’s always us and them,” Kahuku quarterback Waika Crawford said. “I know they’re doing whatever they can to prepare for us. They have a lot of athletes and we have a lot of athletes. Both teams are going to play fast and it’s going to be a big game. We’ve just got to stick to the game plan.”
Bedrock Sports Hawaii reached out to one coach and one player (both of whom didn’t want to be named) who have played against the OIA’s two top dogs. The coach thinks Kahuku’s defense will win the day. The player believes it’s a toss-up, with Kahuku having the better defense and Mililani the better offense.
And for anyone thinking that the Kahuku offense or the Mililani defense is weak, think again. These teams are solid in all parts of the game.
But the unnamed player may be on to one of the keys of the contest.
If you’re looking at the way things are going once the game starts, check to see how the Trojans’ offense does against that Red Raiders’ defense. Can the usually high-flying Trojans keep the chains moving against the imposing unit? Can they find open spots on pass routes? If not, it could be a long night. The Kahuku offense, while not as high-powered as it was last year, has found a way to keep on chugging, whether it’s through short passing or heavy package running.
“It’s just another game,” Mililani cornerback Jordan Fetu said. “But it’s an opportunity to prove ourselves. Stopping the running game will be a key. We want to force them to have to beat us by throwing. As for our offense, they’re in a good spot and we gotta get the ball into the hands of our playmakers.”
Asked if he learned anything from last year’s two matchups, Fetu added, “They’re beatable. They’re definitely beatable.”
National powers are the only teams to have defeated both teams this year.
>> The Red Raiders lost to St. John Bosco (Bellflower, California) 34-7 on Sept. 17 and to St. Frances Academy (Baltimore) 22-15 on Sept. 30.
>> The Trojans lost to Mission Viejo (California) 34-21 on Aug. 12 and to Mater Dei (Santa Ana, California) 42-14 on Sept. 16.
The list of impact player on both sides goes on and on and on.
To name just some:
>> Kahuku quarterback Waika Crawford, running backs Vaaimalae Fonoti and Clyde Taulapapa, receivers Mana Carvalho and Manulele Ah You, offensive lineman Roebuck Rupp, defensive lineman Stansyn Pula, linebackers Liona Lefau, Leonard Ah You and Max Fonoimoana, safety Brock Fonoimoana and too about six other defensive backs that have been playing shut-down ball.
>> Mililani quarterback Treston McMillan, running back Kingsten Samuelu, receivers Raymond Roller, Onosai Salanoa, Davyn Joseph and Isaiah Padello, defensive backs Gavin Hunter, Jordan Fetu and Ezekiel Rodrigues, linebackers Kamaehu Roman and Elias Tania, and defensive lineman Jabiel Lauvao .
In rankings by four media outlets, Kahuku is a unanimous No. 1 around the state and has been all season. Mililani is No. 2 by Bedrock Sports Hawaii, just above Punahou. The other three rankings have Punahou at No. 2.
The Trojans and Red Raiders have split their last 10 games (since 2013), but Kahuku has won three in a row.
Kahuku vs. Mililani Last 10 Games
>> 2013: Mililani 37, Kahuku 22
>> 2014: Mililani 20, Kahuku 7
>> 2015: Kahuku 20, Mililani 7
>> 2017: Kahuku 35, Mililani 31
>> 2018: Mililani 38, Kahuku 10
>> 2018: Mililani 27, Kahuku 7
>> 2019: Mililani 32, Kahuku 0
>> 2019: Kahuku 7, Mililani 3
>> 2021: Kahuku 55, Mililani 20
>> 2021: Kahuku 21, Mililani 14
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