THIS MIL WEEK IN FOOTBALL
Lahainaluna at Kamehameha Maui Today, Kanaiaupuni Stadium, 7 p.m. Overview
Lahainaluna has won 17 games in a row overall and can clinch its 12th straight Division II state berth with a win. Kamehameha Maui must win this game and next week against King Kekaulike to force a playoff game with the Lunas, who won the first game between these two teams 14-0 on Sept. 8.
Lunas at a glance
Lahainaluna ranks second in the league on offense, behind Kamehameha Maui. The Lunas are first on defense, just in front of the Warriors. Joshua Tihada is second in rushing and Nainoa Irish is second in passing.
Warriors at a glance
After 626 yards last week, the Warriors now average 400.4 yards per game on offense. Tristan Catan is sixth in rushing and fifth passing, after one game at QB. Karsyn Pupunu and Makani Smith-Kemfort are 2-3 receiving.
Quotable
“Oh, 100 percent, he looks so natural back there. We expected that from the very first game they played, but that never happened.” — Garret Tihada, Lahainaluna co-head coach on if he expects to see Tristan Catan start at QB for the Warriors
Baldwin vs. King Kekaulike Saturday, War Memorial Stadium, 7 p.m. Overview
This is a must-win for Baldwin to remain in contention for a state berth. King Kekaulike has not won a game since 2014, but trailed by one point in the second half of a 37-22 loss to the Bears on Sept. 7. Baldwin is fourth on offense, one spot in front of King Kekaulike. Na Alii are fourth on defense, while the Bears are fifth.
Na Alii at a glance
Trey Hunter is fifth on the MIL rushing list and leads the league with 464 receiving yards — he averages 35.7 yards per catch. Hunter has scored five touchdowns, good for a tie for sixth in scoring. T.J. Perkett is fourth in passing.
Bears at a glance
La‘a Asuega-Stark’s 11 scoring passes lead the MIL. Bishop Wickes is third in rushing and scoring. Kapena Kamai leads the league with 24 receptions, while Kili Madrid and Kevin Varner are tied for fourth with 16.
Quotable
“The attitude is still good from our players. I think actually it’s growing a little bit more with the guys. We’re starting to see a lot more leadership coming out of the younger guys.” — Tyson Valle, King Kekaulike co-head coach on the outlook of his players