I used to post updates (last year) every two weeks or so, with all positions in one post. Not anymore. Better to get as much data as possible and be deliberate. It’s tough enough with positions that have statistics available. When it gets to linemen, that turns more into art than science and I look for expert guidance.
For now, a look at quarterbacks.
I went on and on about the top QBs in the preseason top prospects list that ran in the Star-Advertiser. But that was accessible only to subscribers, so for the rest of us who may not receive the print version at our front doors daily, here’s an updated rehash while I update my individual stats spreadsheet. (Note: You can find stat leaders for every ILH and OIA team here on Prep World. I just like to see the numbers game-by-game on my colorful spreadsheet.)
Larry Tuileta of Punahou got hit a lot by Mililani last week, but never lost his poise: 20-for-31, 255 yards, two touchdowns, no picks. That’s a completion rate of 64.5 percent, a yards-per-attempt of 8.23 and a passer rating of 154.9. And they won, 24-14. Sure, the numbers aren’t entirely as Tui-esque as last year (10.6 YPA), but it’s just one game and the O-line is partly rebuilding right now.
Tuileta began the season atop my QB list, but Ryder Kuhns of Saint Louis has surpassed him, at least for now. To no surprise, Kuhns has torn up defenses. Baldwin couldn’t do much; Kuhns was 9-for-10 for 206 yards, three touchdowns and no picks in one half of work. Then he lit up Kahuku for 371 yards, four more touchdowns with zero interceptions. His passer rating is currently 212.88, 11.31 YPA and a completion rate of 72.5 percent.
Yeah. Video-game numbers.
Kuhns has the benefit of better protection. So far.
Then there’s the 3 spot. Isaac Hurd? Cody Lui-Yuen? If you’re strictly a numbers fan, Lui-Yuen pops out: 534 yards, eight touchdowns, one pick. The only average-looking stats are his completion rate (53 percent) and rushing (four carries, 11 yards). Holy moly he’s got weapons at his disposal. (More on that later.)
Hurd, of all these elite slingers, is the guy who has shown the most willingness to run. It’s not that coach Amosa Amosa draws up plays to expose his talented playmaker in space. “Ike”, as his coach calls him, is just plain-old tough, fast and rugged. He looks for opportunities when defenses are vulnerable. He’ll run out of bounds and live to fight another play. Or he might just run a defender over.
That nose for the chains comes in handy on rainy, stormy, muddy nights. Like the one two weeks ago at Kaiser. Now, 302 yards and three touchdown passes in two games may not knock your socks off. But figure in the 112 rushing yards on just 16 carries, zero picks and you start to figure out why he’s every defensive coordinator’s nightmare.
Me, I’d love to see him and Campbell’s offense match up against Kamehameha’s defense RIGHT NOW.
QUARTERBACKS
1. Ryder Kuhns, Saint Louis
2. Larry Tuileta, Punahou
3. Isaac Hurd, Campbell
4. Cody Lui-Yuen, Radford
I’d love to have a list of 10 QBs at a minimum, but it’s early. Need more data.
Moanalua’s Micah Kaneshiro could post huge numbers this fall. But so far, well … 45-for-90, 422 yards, two TDs, five picks. That’s against Mililani and Waianae, mind you. Then there’s Kekoa Kaluhiokalani of Waianae, a passing and rushing threat in the same vein as Hurd. The wrapping on this one is, uhh, not so pretty: 11-for-32, two touchdowns, two picks. But he broke off a 55-yard touchdown run on Farrington. He offers that elusiveness, the threat of danger to all defenses. So he is, as he was last year, on the Pupule radar.
Mack Eberhardt, Leilehua and Kalanimoku Pauole, Leilehua
Eberhardt is smart, tough, fast and — like Kaluhiokalani and Hurd — a runner who wins. His stats in the Mules’ win over ‘Iolani were solid: 13-for-19, 143 yards, no TDs, no picks with four rushes for 25 yards. As the game went along, the Mules stayed on the ground and didn’t ask him to do a lot. Then again, he shared snaps with Pauole, who was 6-for-10, one touchdown pass, two picks, 74 yards. Pauole on the move is a dangerous thing. He went from sideline to sideline to sideline for a 41-yard touchdown run against the Raiders.
Lii Karratti, Kaiser
Talk about a good problem. Karratti transferred from Konawaena to play for his dad’s old teammate, coach Rich Miano. Then at Kaiser, a sophomore (Kahi Neves) emerges as a strong backup. Tall, good arm. Young. So Karratti has the reins of the offense, learning as he goes. After a rough outing against Campbell in inclement weather, he went 12-for-16, 178 yards, a TD and a pick against Kalani.
Brandon Howes, Konawaena
Meanwhile, up mauka on the Kona Coast, Brandon Howes is now the Wildcats’ quarterback. In their game against Maui over the weekend, he was 22-for-47 for 403 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.* Konawaena led 24-7 at the half and lost 47-37.
Jordan Liilii, Aiea
18-for-31, 294 yards, three TDs, three picks. Aiea is 2-0 with the 6-foot-2, 200-pound junior at quarterback. But he’s out for a while (foot).
Noah Brum, Kalani
The Falcons are 0-2 so far, but the script remains the same. They will air it out from dawn to dusk. Brum has passed for 490 yards against ‘Iolani and Kaiser. Five touchdowns, four picks, 44-for-93.
Montana Liana, Farrington
Sione Filikitonga-Lukela Jr., Lahainaluna
Noah Auld, Kailua
McKenzie Milton, Mililani
There will be more stats, more names on this list of QBs later. We’ll see how it filters out.
Next: Running Backs
* Howes’ stats corrected 8/22/13.
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