For the first time ever in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Football Top 10, Damien has a number next to its name.
The Monarchs (5-1, 3-0 ILH D-II) came back from 13 points down in the third quarter on Friday and scored 20 unanswered to beat St. Francis, 27-20, to remain undefeated in league play.
Damien, which is No. 10 in the latest Honolulu Star-Advertiser Football Top 10 released today, has won 12 of its last 15 games dating back to last season and own two wins this year against Division I teams (Castle, Kealakehe).
The Monarchs’ only loss is to Villa Park (Calif.), 14-6, in a game Damien twice had opportunities late to score either the go-ahead or potentially tying touchdown deep in Spartans territory. Villa Park has since beaten Redondo Union (Calif.) and lost to Servite (Calif.), which is ranked No. 55 in the country in MaxPreps’ computer rankings.
Damien’s last ranking came in the final Honolulu Advertiser poll of the 2003 season following a 9-7 loss to Aiea in the Division II state final.
The two-time defending ILH Division II champions swept through the first round of league play and face ‘Iolani a second time this Friday on the Raiders’ home field. Damien won the first meeting, 35-21, to snap a 16-game losing streak against the Raiders.
No. 1 Saint Louis (4-0, 2-0) kept a firm grip on its top spot, and debuted in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 this week at No. 24.
Kahuku (5-1, 5-0 OIA Red) had a forfeit win over Kaiser this weekend and held on to its No. 2 ranking by two votes over third-ranked Mililani, which beat Kapolei 42-21.
Punahou (No. 4) and Kamehameha (No. 5) round out the top five.
Hilo, which had its highest ranking in school history last week at No. 6, was upset by Division II Konawaena, 24-14, on Friday, and did not receive a single vote this week.
Waianae (3-3, 3-2 OIA), which was idle this week and has won its last three games, moved up to No. 6 with Farrington (3-3, 3-2 OIA) making the jump to No. 7.
No. 8 Campbell (5-2, 5-1 OIA), which has won five of its last six, jumped two spots, ahead of No. 9 Lahainaluna.
Five other teams received votes this week, led by Kapolei (eight). Undefeated OIA Division II Waipahu picked up votes (three) for the first time this year, and was followed by Leilehua (two), Konawaena (one) and Kapaa (one).
Campbell has a bye this week before challenging Kahuku a week from Friday out in Ewa Beach with the OIA Blue division title on the line.
TOP 10 SCHEDULE
Friday, Sept. 22
>> No. 4 Punahou vs. No. 5 Kamehameha, 6 p.m., Aloha Stadium
>> Aiea at No. 6 Waianae, 7:30 p.m.
>> No. 10 Damien at ‘Iolani, 3:15 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 23
>> No. 1 Saint Louis vs. Narbonne (Calif.), 7 p.m., Aloha Stadium
>> Radford at No. 2 Kahuku, 6:30 p.m.
>> Nanakuli at No. 3 Mililani, 6:30 p.m.
>> Castle at No. 7 Farrington, 6:30 p.m.
>> Maui at No. 9 Lahainaluna, 7 p.m.
Honolulu Star-Advertiser Top 10
| FOOTBALL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Updated: 10/23 | ||
| RANK | SCHOOL | VOTES |
| 1. | Kahuku (10) | 100 |
| 2. | Miililani | 86 |
| 3. | Campbell | 81 |
| 4. | Punahou | 73 |
| 5. | Saint Louis | 53 |
| 6. | Kapolei | 50 |
| 7. | Konawaena | 40 |
| 8. | Farrington | 23 |
| 9. | Lahainaluna | 18 |
| 10. | Kamehameha | 8 |
Campbell ranked 8th? That’s ok. It’ll just fuel their fire. Coach DJ and his staff has changed the culture and has inspired the boys to believe they can win the division. That will happen in two weeks when they meet Kahuku.
cmon now. Campbell beat Kahuku? das all.
meanwhile – looking forward to cheering for St LuLu vs Cali team. Gotta support when it’s HI vs non-HI.
Go Crusaders!
RRFL.
Keep on dreaming. Campbell has improved over last year, and I’m cheering for coach DJ and Kawe….just not when they play Big Red.
Cheering for the Crusaders this week too…but only this week…lol.
RRFL!
What’s classic is many of you guys use the RRFL. Man you guys are so unoriginal. That’s why you use Iolani’s old and donated uniforms that led to your school’s nickname.
Then you use the Tomahawk chop that numerous teams used way before you guys.
And now you are basically using the slogan “4 Life” that was brought into the mainstream by Wrestling’s NWO back in 1996. This was when Monday Night Raw had high Nielson Ratings for a weekly cable TV show.
Do you guys come up with something original and not reused?
I like the can-do attitude, HI HS FAN. But I just don’t see Campbell beating Kahuku. They’ll most likely end the season with the third seed out of the OIA blue.
@Educationfirst. Every high school is unoriginal one way or another.