If Kahuku and Saint Louis play in the state championship Open Division football game again in 2021, it will certainly be intriguing as usual.
The likelihood of that happening in late December is high, since the two teams made it that far in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019. But it’s still way too early to tell. You don’t go crowning champions at midseason.
One signature win — Kahuku’s 55-20 rout of Mililani on Saturday — has lifted the Red Raiders up two spots into the No. 1 position in the Bedrock Sports Hawaii’s Top 10.
But, as everyone knows, Top 10 lists aren’t proof of anything at all. For instance, Bedrock Sports Hawaii had Kahuku at No. 3 four days prior to the Red Raiders’ victory over Mililani (3-1), which was one spot ahead at No. 2 at the time.
And so, there is an argument by some that Saint Louis, which dropped a spot to No. 2 this week, is still a valid No. 1. The Crusaders’ season is done, and after some struggles, righted the ship, won the ILH championship and clinched a state berth. In one other statewide poll, by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Saint Louis (5-3) is No. 2 but received three first-place votes out of 12 total. Kahuku is also No. 1 by ScoringLive.com and Cover2.
Kahuku (5-0), on the other hand, has yet to struggle, and the Red Raiders have looked extremely sharp all season. The Red Raiders’ next biggest text is in two weeks against No. 5 Campbell (4-0). That game will decide the OIA title.
As an added bonus, Kahuku has a bye this week and can scout the Sabers up close this Saturday against Mililani (now No. 4) in Ewa Beach.
“There is a small gap, but a still a gap between Kahuku at No. 1 and Saint Louis at No. 2,” one journalist from another media outlet told Bedrock Sports Hawaii on Tuesday. “It’s not as close as a 1-A and 1-B.”
Another journalist texted Bedrock on Wednesday: “Kahuku is smoking teams, including Mililani. Even if Saint Louis beats them by 40 in the (possible) final, Kahuku should still be No. 1 now.”
THE NEW BedrockSportsHawaii.com Top 10:
>> 1. Kahuku (5-0) … statement win over Mililani
>> 2. Saint Louis (5-3) … next game vs. TBA at states in December
>> 3. Kamehameha (3-3) … licking ILH wounds, preparing for 2022
>> 4. Mililani (3-1) … looking to bounce back vs. Campbell
>> 5. Campbell (4-0) … two tough customers, Kahuku and Mililani, coming up in consecutive weeks
>> 6. ‘Iolani (8-0) … plays Roosevelt this week in preparation for states
>> 7. Lahainaluna (4-0) … gets a bye before working on taking care of business in crunch time
>> 8. Kapaa (3-0) … Second round of the KIF starts this week vs. Kauai
>> 9. Konawaena (3-0) … Wildcats mean business after dismantling of Waiakea
>> 10. Waipahu (2-0) … Can prove doubters wrong in next coming weeks
Top 10 teams’ opponents THIS WEEK
>> 1. Kahuku (idle)
>> 2. Saint Louis (idle)
>> 3. Kamehameha (season over)
>> 4. Mililani (at Campbell, Saturday, 6:30 p.m.)
>> 5. Campbell (vs. Mililani, Saturda at home, 6:30 p.m.)
>> 6. ‘Iolani (at Roosevelt, Friday, 7 p.m.)
>> 7. Lahainaluna (idle)
>> 8. Kapaa (vs. Kauai, Saturday at Vidinha Stadium, 2:30 p.m.)
>> 9. Konawaena (at Kealakehe, Friday)
>> 10. Waipahu (vs. Castle, Saturday at home, 6:30 p.m.)
How LAST WEEK’s Top 10 teams fared:
>> 1. Saint Louis (idle)
>> 2. Mililani (lost to No. 3 Kahuku 55-20)
>> 3. Kahuku (defeated No. 2 Mililani 55-20)
>> 4. Kamehameha (idle)
>> 5. Campbell (defeated Leilehua 41-7)
>> 6. ‘Iolani (idle)
>> 7. Lahainaluna (defeated Kamehameha-Maui 31-13)
>> 8. Kapaa (idle)
>> 9. Konawaena (idle)
>> 10. Waipahu (idle)
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ALSO AT Bedrock SportsHawaii.com:
>> Kauai Female Football Defensive Back Shania Kelley Is Becoming A KIF Fan Favorite
>> Hawaii’s 1980 College World Series Team Loses A Special Athlete In Glenn Silva
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