Campbell, Kahuku
By Pat Bigold
start with bang
Star-BulletinIt's almost too enticing a matchup to open the Oahu Interscholastic Association season.
The defending OIA Red Conference champion Campbell Sabers meet Kahuku, the awakened giant of the North Shore, tomorrow night at Aloha Stadium.
The last time these teams met was when the Sabers ended the Red Raiders' season in the semifinals of the league playoffs.
It was a game in which Campbell had to rally from a 13-12 halftime deficit to prevent Kahuku from becoming the first White Conference team to ever reach the finals of the playoffs.
Campbell eventually won the game on an 85-yard Rodney Tavui-to-Mark Acidera pass play in the fourth quarter, but the Red Raiders had 360 yards on the ground to the Sabers' 220.
That could be the key tomorrow night as Kahuku has never looked more effective on the ground.
Talamoni Talamoni, who had 118 yards in the semifinal loss, and Andreas Manumaleuna, who had 135, are both back to pound the ball forward for the Red Raiders.
Talamoni had touchdown runs of 72 and 67 yards against Banning High (Calif.) last weekend.
He runs behind one of the biggest and most experienced offensive lines the Red Raiders have had in years.
Kahuku has three quarterbacks who proved in preseason that they're all capable of running the option. But Red Raiders head coach Siuaki Livai said last night he will go with junior Vai Funaki.
"Because of his consistency," said Livai. "But they'll all get a chance to play."
If Funaki falters at any point, senior Wayne Fonoimoana or junior Orlando Wong can reignite the attack.
Campbell has thrived on the big play in recent years, and that's how they got to the OIA final last year.
"We fear the big plays, and we do make mistakes sometimes," Livai said. "We don't know if they have the kind of people they had last year in the passing combination."
The answer, according to coach Darren Hernandez, is that the Campbell passing game is still developing.
Instead of the seasoned Tavui, the relatively untested 6-foot-2, 225-pound junior Junior Tagovailo is taking the snaps. Three of the four receivers who helped Campbell to the conference crown have graduated. Only Keola Noda returns.
Campbell's main running back this year is 5-5, 155-pound Joshua Russell, younger brother of former Campbell all-stater Cliff Russell.
Hernandez said he has legitimate concerns about the Kahuku rush, knowing that Talamoni and Manumaleuna are back.
"Our big concern is their overall balance," said Hernandez. "Offense, defense, special teams, line. They don't seem to have any weaknesses."
Prep schedule
Games at 5 p.m. varsity games 25 minutes after completion.
Tomorrow
Campbell vs. Kahuku at Aloha Stadium
Farrington at Waianae, Waipahu at Leilehua, Kailua at Roosevelt, Moanalua at Kaiser, Kaimuki at Aiea.
Castle vs. Mililani at Aloha Stadium
Kalani at Radford, Kalaheo vs. Pearl City at Kailua H.S. Field.