—–
Note: An update to this post reflects the new starting time for Saturday’s Waipahu at ‘Iolani game of 2 p.m.
—–
It’s getting down to the nitty gritty in Hawaii high school football.
Right now, there are 12 teams that have a shot at the three titles available in the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Football State Championships. After this weekend, that number will be whittled down to six.
When the season started in August, 47 squads were aiming to get one of those koa trophies.
Below is a quick look at the two semifinal games on Friday and four more on Saturday. After that, you will find the full tournament schedule through the championship games Nov. 25 and 26.
FRIDAY
OPEN SEMIFINALS
Campbell (7-3) vs. Kahuku (10-2)
In the first meeting between the two teams, the Red Raiders used their running game with some well-timed short passes to get past the Sabers 16-6 on a soaked, muddy field in Ewa.
Campbell’s dangerous medium to long passing game did not come into play, especially against Kahuku’s hammer defense.
The Sabers have had more than two months to make adjustments and get ready for what is always a tough chore for any Hawaii opponent in any year — a game against the Red Raiders, who are the defending state Open champions.
Kahuku’s only two losses are against mainland opponents. The Red Raiders did trail in two games against in-state opponents, however — in the fourth quarter of a 27-20 win over Punahou and late in the third quarter of a 29-17 regular season victory over Mililani.
In a rematch against the Trojans, Kahuku showed its superiority by dropping them 35-0 in the OIA Open championship game. That game underscores how much the already solid Red Raiders have improved since the beginning of the year.
Campbell’s three losses are by a combined 21 points, 16-6 to Kahuku and 35-34 and 39-29 to Mililani. The Sabers found a way to outlast Kapolei, 49-42, in the OIA third-place game to qualify for states.
On the way to the OIA title, Kahuku sharpened up in going 0-2 against prominent national programs — 34-7 against St. John Bosco (Bellflower, California) and 22-15 against St. Frances (Baltimore).
Punahou (8-1) at Mililani (7-4)
Aside from its two losses to the Red Raiders, Mililani’s other two defeats were to mainland opponents.
Unlike in recent years, the Buff ‘N Blue and Trojans did not meet during the regular season.
Mililani’s schedule included losses to national powers Mater Dei (42-14) and Mission Viejo (34-21).
Punahou, meanwhile, for the first time since 2014, won the ILH title and got it done by beating last year’s state Open runner-up and league champion Saint Louis three times (43-19, 42-21, 24-8).
—–
SATURDAY
DIVISION I SEMIFINALS
Waipahu (10-1) at ‘Iolani (9-0)
The comebacks keep on happening for the Marauders.
Last week against Kapaa in the first round, Waipahu fought back from 22 points down to advance with a 49-41 win. Two weeks earlier in the OIA D-I title game, the Marauders were behind Aiea by 17 and wound up winning 38-30.
This is looking like a matchup of Waipahu’s size and power against ‘Iolani’s discipline.
The ILH D-I champion and top-seeded Raiders, who had a first-round bye, are the defending state D-I champs.
Aiea (9-3) at Konawaena (9-0)
For Aiea, it’s one neighbor island school down and one more to go. Na Alii toppled Lahainaluna 30-10 last weekend on Maui. This time, they visit the Big Isle.
The BIIF D-I champion Wildcats, who had a first-round bye, have outscored their league opponents 557-14. Their only loss came against Granger (West Valley City, Utah) 30-7 in August.
Aside from their two losses to Waipahu this year (20-14 and 38-30), Na Alii’s only other loss came against Open Division opponent Kapolei, 27-24.
DIVISION II SEMIFINALS
Waimea (7-2) at Honokaa (10-1)
Waimea has some signature wins — 48-6 over Kaimuki early in the season and 48-7 over Kaiser in last week’s first round.
The resurgent Menehunes, who hadn’t been to states since 2003, also picked up a huge 7-3 victory over league rival Kapaa, a D-I classified team.
However, Waimea dropped a tight 3-0 decision to those Warriors in a game that determined the KIF championship three weeks ago.
It was a resurgent year for the Dragons, too. They went 3-3 in 2021 and their only blemish this fall was a 20-7 defeat to Kamehameha-Hawaii. But Honokaa got the best of those Warriors in the season series, thanks to a regular-season 27-23 win and a 19-9 BIIF D-II championship game victory.
Nanakuli (10-1) at King Kekaulike (4-6)
The Golden Hawks were the class of OIA D-II. Their only loss this season was at the hands of D-I Maui, 16-0, in a nonleague season-opening contest, and it’s been 10 straight wins since then.
Balance is one name of the game for Nanakuli, known as having a rock-solid defense, a bruising running game and a complementary passing game when air yards are needed.
Don’t let Na Alii’s sub-.500 record fool you, They played in what is a highly competitive MIL.
One of their losses was at the hands of D-II state semifinalist Waimea, 21-10.
Most impressively for King Kekaulike, though, was a 28-25 MIL D-II title game win three weeks ago against Kamehameha-Maui. Before that, those two teams had split the season series.
FIRST HAWAIIAN BANK/HHSAA FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
FRIDAY, NOV. 18
State Open Division Semifinals
>> Campbell vs. Kahuku, at Mililani High field, 4 p.m.
>> Punahou at Mililani, 7 p.m.
SATURDAY, NOV. 19
State Division I Semifinals
>> Waipahu at ‘Iolani, 2 p.m.
>> Aiea at Konawaena, 7 p.m.
State Division II Semifinals
>> Nanakuli at King Kekaulike, 7 p.m.
>> Waimea at Honokaa, 7 p.m.
—–
FRIDAY, NOV. 25
State Open Division Championship Game
>> Semifinal winners, at Mililani High field, 7 p.m.
SATURDAY, NOV. 26
State Division I Championship Game
>> Semifinal winners, at Mililani High field, 7 p.m.
State Division II Championship Game
>> Semifinal winners, at Mililani High field, 4 p.m.
—–
ALSO AT BedrockSportsHawaii.com:
Aiea Left Tackle Preston Taumua Receives Offer From The Alabama Crimson Tide
—–
The season as it unfolds:
