Mililani, Kahuku tied in Star-Advertiser Top 10
Kahuku running back Enoch Nawahine (22) carried the ball against the Campbell defense on Friday in the Red Raiders' dominant 45-6 win. Photo by Jamm Aquino/Star-Advertiser.
Two-time defending OIA champion Kahuku had arguably its best outing of the season on Friday when it dismantled Campbell, 45-6, to clinch the OIA Blue Division title.
Yet, there’s a growing swell among voters in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Football Top 10 that the Red Raiders might not be the favorite in the OIA playoffs.
Mililani, which blanked Kailua 52-0 to end the regular season on Saturday, moved into a tie for second with Kahuku in the latest state rankings released today.
An even number of voters (five) had Mililani picked second and Kahuku picked second behind unanimous No. 1 Saint Louis, which fell to No. 25 in the country in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 this week.
As division champions, Mililani and Kahuku earned the top seeds in the OIA playoffs and would not meet until the final.
The Trojans hold the longest winning streak in the state among Division I teams at 12. Mililani hasn’t lost since a 38-33 game against Waianae in the OIA quarterfinals last season.
Voters were also impressed by Kamehameha’s showing against Saint Louis with a healthy Thomas Yam at quarterback in a 23-12 loss.
Tied with Waianae in last week’s rankings, the Warriors surged ahead in the No. 5 spot, nine votes ahead of the Seariders, who didn’t play because of a Kaiser forfeit.
No. 6 Waianae finished just two votes ahead of the surging Leilehua Mules, who at No. 7, earned their highest ranking in the Star-Advertiser Top 10 since Week 10 in 2014.
The Mules flattened Farrington, 33-6, for their fifth straight victory.
Campbell fell one spot to No. 8, followed by Lahainaluna and Damien.
Other teams receiving votes were Kapolei (six), Farrington (three), Waipahu (two), Kapaa (one) and Konawaena (one).
TOP 10 SCHEDULE Friday, Oct. 6 >> Castle at No. 8 Campbell, 7:30 p.m. >> Baldwin at No. 9 Lahainaluna, 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 >> No. 10 Damien vs. St. Francis, 3 p.m., Aloha Stadium >> No. 1 Saint Louis vs. No. 4 Punahou, 6 p.m., Aloha Stadium IDLE: No. 2 Kahuku, No. 2 Mililani, No. 5 Kamehameha, No. 6 Waianae, No. 7 Leilehua
Honolulu Star-Advertiser Top 10
FOOTBALL
Updated: Oct. 2
Rk Team Pts
1. Saint Louis 100
t2. Kahuku 85
t2. Mililani 85
4. Punahou 70
5. Kamehameha 52
6. Waianae 43
7. Leilehua 41
8. Campbell 25
9. Lahainaluna 23
10. Damien 12
Mililani, Kahuku tied in Star-Advertiser Top 10