Kamehameha (0-0 BIIF DII, 3-0 overall)
Players to watch: Kaeo Batacan (RB); Kelii Montibon (OL); Wayne Dacalio (DE/OLB)
Kealakehe (0-0 BIIF DI, 1-2 overall)
Players to watch: Riggs Kurashige (RB/Slot); Isaac “Sake” Kioa (DL); Klein Hao (S)
7 p.m. at Waverider Stadium
In 2014: Kamehameha 35, Kealakehe 21
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Kealakehe and Kamehameha clash in a collision of contenders for Week 1 of the BIIF season after a hefty preseason schedule for both teams.
Kamehameha reeled off a 3-0 record and outscored opponents 110-20, but those teams — Kalaheo, King Kekaulike and Waiakea — are currently a combined 0-8.
After Kealakehe beat Maui 28-7 in its opening game, the Waveriders dropped two in a row against ILH opponent Iolani (37-0) and Canadian foe Vincent Massey (26-21).
Both teams have a good idea of what they want to aspire to be after three preseason contests, but the start of the BIIF season will bring more measurable results.
OFFENSE
Papalii: Kealakehe head coach Sam Kekuaokalani wants more from his offense this year, and new offensive play caller Jerry Mareko will have his shot.
The 2015 version of the spread has some early season similarities to 2014, with a two-quarterback system and a relative lack of consistency. Surely coming into his senior year Markus Degrate wants to be the starter, but he has been ineffective during the preseason. Sophomore Anthony Trevino has shown some flashes and may be getting the starting nod against Kamehameha.
Injuries to hard running veteran backs Kobe Antolin and Ini Paio has forced Mareko to make adjustments, but the big play ability of Kurashige in the passing and running game still exists for the ‘Riders.
Akoni Demello is another experienced scat back that can help carry the load and take pressure off of young Trevino.
The offense must control the football by limiting three and outs, and its always crucial to take care of the ball. The Waveriders can help their defense by controlling clock and scoring points. That will keep the explosive Warrior offense off the field as much as possible and is a remedy for success.
Based on their preseason, the Kamehameha offense has been a prolific scoring machine averaging 37 points a game, continuing what they did in 2014. The receivers will be top notch again, led by Bayley Manliguis and Kainalu Whitney.
Scat back extraordinaire Kaeo Batacan will be a handful for all BIIF defenses, and combined with the passing game, the Warriors will be potent again. A senior laden offensive line will help open holes upfront and protect for the aerial attack. Warriors will be severely tested in the trenches against arguably Rider’s most disruptive DL.
First-year QB DallasJ Duarte has improved steadily through the preseason, and ended on a high note with a 20-27, 257 yards and three touchdown performance against Waiakea.
Running yards will be tough to come by, but if the Warrior OL can pass protect, they can win by several scores. If they can run against Kealakehe, it will be a long night for the home team.
Edge: Kamehameha
De Groote: The Kamehameha offense is great at getting its playmakers in space, and Batacan is the most dangerous among them. The All-BIIF back rushed for six touchdowns in the preseason and the Waveriders will have to prevent him from springing big, momentum swinging plays.
Duarte and Kamakana Pagan are the options for Kamehameha at quarterback. Coach Dan Lyons was mum on naming a starter at quarterback after the final preseason win for Kamehameha over Waiakea. Neither has much starting experience, but it should be interesting to see the matchup against the Kealakehe secondary, which has not had the best performances so far defending the pass.
The top weapon in Kealakehe’s arsenal is Kurashige. The senior RB/Slot can be a threat catching or running, but needs his touches. He showed some chemistry with projected sophomore starting quarterback Anthony “Head” Trevino late against Vincent Massey. He amassed over 150 yard on just five catches. That connection will have to keep growing for the Kealakehe offense to keep rolling.
Edge: Kamehameha
DEFENSE
Papalii: After three preseason games it looks like the defense will again be a strength for the Waveriders. The unit is led by a ferocious and experienced defensive line, with three-year returning starters Joseph Kaopua, and Isaac “Sake” Kioa at end, along with tackle Howard Cosare leading the way.
Tuitahi Faleofa — a converted running back — has used his athleticism to add an inside speed rusher to the front four, but his services will be missed for this game because of injury. The linebacking corps boasts hard hitting starters Pulama Louis, Randy Hatori, as well as converted defensive back Bryton Lewi, and tough as nails back up Hiilawe Manoi can play with the boys.
The secondary is a concern for defensive coordinator Steve Cox, as graduation and injuries have a young and inexperienced group going up against what probably will be the most prolific passing game in the BIIF. Klein Hao is a veteran and leads the team in tackles. DB’s will need his coverage skills and leadership in the back field. For a winning performance, the Rider’s secondary must: know and understand the calls, recognize formations, make necessary checks against shifts and motions, get aligned properly, and execute their assignment with great effort.
The Warrior’s defense is off to a great start, allowing just under seven points a contest during their preseason slate. Two of the three wins came off-island against Kalaheo of the OIA and against King Kekaulike of the always tough MIL.
The Warrior’s success will come if their front seven can minimize big plays by the Waverider’s Mighty Mouse 2.0 Riggs Kurashige — the successor to class of 2005 All-BIIF back Jinho Tohara. The Riders’ — to this point — have not threatened opponent’s with an effective passing attack.
Winning the battle of the Warriors vs. Division-I Waiakea is early indication that Kamehameha may be the class of the BIIF. However, graduation has the defending DII champions returning only three defensive starters from 2014. One of the starters is converted linebacker Wayne Decalio, who has moved to defensive rush end. His athleticism and speed should cause opposing offenses problems. Size in the trenches comes in the form of 6-1, 300 pound junior Nainoa Rosehill and Joyden Madriaga.
The second line of defense will consist of returning starters Lukela Ching and Iokua Manuia, while Trey Galigo will man the strong side. Inexperience in the last line of defense is never a good thing but Lyons likes the secondary groups athleticism.
Edge: Kealakehe
De Groote: That experienced front four of Kioa, Cosare and Kaopua will have to help Kealakehe slow down returning Kamehameha’s All-BIIF Batacan. If they can do that, the Warriors will have to rely on inexperienced QBs to make plays in the passing game.
Couple that inexperience with some pressure from the Waveriders front seven and it could lead to some confidence boosting plays for the Kealakehe secondary.
For Kamehameha, allowing less than a touchdown per game is nothing to scoff at, regardless of the opponent. The defense also delivered a handful of turnovers and big plays in the preseason.
Warriors’ speed rusher Dacalio can get upfield in a hurry and will be looking to cause some headaches for the Waveriders in pass protection. Rosehill can eat up some blocks.
Batacan and Kurashige are players that both defenses should have their eyes on every play.
Edge: Kealakehe
FINAL
Papalii: Kamehameha 24, Kealakehe 17
De Groote: Kamehameha 28, Kealakehe 21
Other BIIF games
Konawaena at Waiakea (Friday, 7 p.m.): The Warriors were outscored by an average of more than 30 points per game against their preseason opponents. The Wildcats are hungry to bring back a BIIF title, and want a strong first impression against a league opponent. A strong stable of Wildcat skill players will likely be too much for Waiakea to handle.
De Groote: Konawaena 35, Waiakea 13
Papalii: Konawaena 28, Waiakea 14
Hilo vs. Hawaii Prep (Saturday, 2 p.m.): Hilo will be looking to make a statement in its opening game after being outscored 100-0 in its two preseason games. Hawaii Prep is still looking for an identity on offense, but have the league’s best defensive player in Anthony Palleschi to fall back on.
De Groote: Hilo 21, Hawaii Prep 13
Papalii: Hilo 14, Hawaii Prep 7