Kailua has come a long way since last year’s winless season, but now the Surfriders face a trip to Waianae to keep it going.
Noah Auld‘s injury-plagued junior year left Kailua in dire straits offensively, but his return late in the season provided hope. Auld threw for nearly 200 yards in the season finale and the Surfriders nearly doubled their entire season’s scoring output in a 34-33 loss to Moanalua.
This year, Auld has been efficient and durable, balancing a spread-formation offense and using his feet to selectively sprint for key first downs. The tall, slender field general has thrown for 27 TDs and just three picks while looking faintly like a prep version of Marcus Mariota.
Kailua hadn’t won a playoff game since Oct. 17, 2009, a 21-0 home win over Campbell, until last week. It’ll be tough at Raymond Torii Field, where the Seariders will be well rested and hungry. The Seariders have not played since losing to Kahuku 30-0.
The Seariders had been enjoying one of their most successful offensive outputs of any year until the regular-season loss to the Red Raiders. First-year head coach Walter Young has spread the ball-carrying duties effectively. Five Seariders have carried the ball at least 30 times, and two others with fewer touches, Solofua Grey and Kade Ambrocio, have scored four TDs each. Javen Towne has been a go-to runner at the goal line (14 TDs).
Kailua’s physical defense would love to replicate what Kahuku did, putting Waianae QB Jaren Ulu into predictable passing situations. Ulu has thrown the ball just 93 times all year, but makes smart decisions (six TDs, two picks).
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