After finally breaking through to win the school’s first state football title last season, defending Division II champion Lahainaluna earned the No. 9 ranking in the final Honolulu Star-Advertiser top 10 of 2016.
Voters seemingly had a short memory as by the following summer, the Lunas found themselves outside of the preseason top 10.
Those same voters were given a reminder on Saturday at Pearl City of just how much talent the Lunas have in a 20-7 win over the Chargers. Lahainaluna scored 20 unanswered points after throwing two early interceptions and shut down the Pearl City’s offense over the final three quarters.
As a result, Lahainaluna moved back into the rankings this week at No. 10 in the latest Honolulu Star-Advertiser Top 10 released Monday.
The top four teams remained the same with No. 1 Saint Louis again receiving nine of the 10 first-place votes after pounding Waianae 49-7 at Raymond Torii Stadium on Saturday.
No. 3 Punahou had some early troubles on Friday against Moanalua before establishing its running game in a 35-7 win over Na Menehune.
No. 2 Kahuku and No. 4 Mililani were idle with the Red Raiders getting their first action of the season this Friday against Leilehua out on the North Shore. The Mules will also likely be the first official game action for the Trojans a week from Friday with Mililani expected to earn a win over Kaiser this Friday by forfeit.
Two teams making small jumps after impressive wins were No. 5 Kapolei, which got a huge performance from defensive tackle Aaron Faumui, in a 23-7 win over Campbell. That same night, Skippa Diaz Stadium hosted its first football game in Kalihi with visiting Kamehameha pounding its way to a 34-15 win.
Second-year Kamehameha coach Abu Ma’afala has a much better handle on his Warriors this season and it showed.
Despite the losses, Farrington remained at No. 8 and Campbell remained at No. 9 behind Waianae, which dropped two spots to No. 7
‘Iolani, which opens its season Saturday hosting Hilo, finished one vote behind the Lunas with Kailua (7), Kapaa (3), Damien (2) and Leilehua (1) also receiving votes.
The Lunas will get a huge test at home this Saturday when they host Kamehameha on the Valley Isle at 3 p.m. It is one of three games this weekend involving two ranked teams.
Here’s a look at all of the games involving ranked teams.
Friday, Aug. 11
>> Leilehua at No. 2 Kahuku, 7:30 p.m.
>> **Kaiser at No. 4 Mililani, 7:30 p.m.
>> No. 8 Farrington at No. 9 Campbell, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 12
>> No. 5 Kapolei at No. 7 Waianae, 6:30 p.m.
>> No. 6 Kamehameha at No. 10 Lahainaluna, 3 p.m.
**—Kaiser expected to officially forfeit game
Honolulu Star-Advertiser Football 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 |
This is no means meant to be a dig at any one school this is for the StarAdvertiser Staff… Why not make top X by tier. It doesn’t make sense to list a D2 school alongside all these Open and D1 schools unless that D2 program is indeed “better” or truly “ranks ahead” of all unranked D1 schools (open already listed)?
@Billy Hull: We all have our own opinions but I must say that I have to agree with Whyy….which makes common sense. How would it be possible to rank a division II team or player as being one of the best in the state if majority of their games are against division II teams. Very likely if that division II team or player had to compete against division I teams throughout the season, their stats and win /loss record wouldn’t be as impressive. Other states rank their teams by divisions and so does colleges. If Hawaii high school basketball boys and girls are able to rank teams by division, what makes it so difficult to rank Hawaii’s high school football by divisions since teams are seeking for that particular division title and state tile. Until you are able to justify ranking division I and division II teams in a “best in the state ranking” this SA high school ranking remains bogus. Really there’s nothing to debate about….just create different division rankings and give credit where credit is due.
I believe that @Billy Hull is being fair! It’s a ranking and just like the “pros” it’s a power ranking?..”pound for pound”? Is that right?.. regardless of the division, THEY determine who THEY believe belongs in the top 10. Lahainaluna is a D2 school, and they do compete every year against (2) D1 teams in Maui High and Baldwin. Would you be surprised if this “little” D2 team from Maui can hold their own against these listed D1 teams?..or “UNRANKED” D1 teams?…I believe that any of the top 3 teams in D2 can be successful against D1 teams. POUND FOR POUND, LAHAINALUNA is BETTER THAN top 10!!! Average height 5’6″, average weight 150lbs!! What any D1 or D2 in the state average that and can compete and be in the playoffs just about every year?!?!..I no hear nobody knocking on Max Holloway being top 10 pound for pound in the UFC!..would you believe he no belong there cause he cannot beat one unranked guy like…Micheal Bisping?!?!…would you be able to even determine if he can beat the guy when they not even in the same weight class (division)?…this is HAWAII PREP WORLD RANKING!!! not OAHU D1 RANKING!!!
I’d like to see 4 polls. First separate each team by division. Then rank the teams based on average cumulative GPA for all players on the rosters, even the ones who are ineligible.
@Education First: I Second That Motion!
We all have to remember, this is an opinion poll. let’s not get all worked up over it and if you disagree with the rankings, let the kids prove the either deserve their ranking or not on the field.
@Westin: Com-on man, when you start mentioning the pros, it’s a different division by its self. and a different ball game. There’s no ranking in the pros. It’ all about win/loss and if you’re a loser, you go home and hope for the following year to do better. I’m not cutting the Lunas or any school but if the Lunas are that good than the SA should start ranking schools by whatever division they’re categorized to participate in for that year, regardless if they should beat a division I team in pre-season. And regardless if schools are in division I or II, there is a title for those league division and state division. All I’m saying is, keep it simple by ranking the teams and players by whatever division they’re playing in. Is it that difficult to have 2 division rankings.
Lahainaluna is a good D2 team but definitely not one of the top 10 schools in the state. Only after they beat some legit team(s) and not another D2 team, should they be given top 10 distinction. Without criteria, your poll, billy, is just simply a popularity contests.
Lahainaluna is a good D2 team but have a way to go to be considered as one of the 10 best teams in our state. They are not even the best team from Maui (Baldwin). They beat a good d2 team in P.C. but they need some significant wins against d1/ top tier teams to merit consideration.
@Northshore, COM’ON MAN!..😏 I exaggerated the “pros” in your response to “other states” in OUR STATE/ HAWAII we got roughly 45 teams TOTAL in D1 and D2 while in “other states” you have atleast 45 in 1 division. Correct me if I’m wrong, but to the best of my knowledge, there is a separate ranking on scoringlive for D1 and D2..in THIS particular Rankings (I see it as POWER RANKING type) it’s a culmination of BOTH divisions am I right?..Maybe, SA can clarify this for us. And i believe Lahainaluna deserve that spot! Regardless IF they lose to Kam Kapalama this week.
Maui, like any other neighbor islands don’t have near the amount of kids in Oahu. Oahu teams have the quantity and also the quality! And the coaches STILL come to recruit!! And we still contend with what we have. I don’t see nothing wrong with a D2 school being top 10, no matter if it’s Lahaina or Kona or any team in D2, it wouldn’t even surprise me to see the 8 man champion being up there. They all kids and it’s nice to see that everybody is noticed for their accomplishments. So, to keep things simple, I and the community of Lahaina is greatful and honored that the people of Star Advertiser recognizes the boys as a top 10 team. Give credit to where credit is due”?…🤔…
@sportsfan, your right!! They probably not a top 10 team in Hawaii, but this week no matter if it’s a “popularity contest” It can last for as fast as a week..it doesn’t matter. They got the votes!! so until then…haters just gotta hate 😂😂😂🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽
@sportsfan, your right again..Lahainaluna wasn’t the best team from Maui, shoot..not even supposed to win the Championship, but for some crazy reason..they did. This year, same thing, they NOT supposed to be..but it’s a new year and weird things happen 🤓🤓😉
Thank you SA for including the Lunas in the top 10. Im not from Maui but I have witnessed the truth. The kids work hard. Even when they are doubted by many they still grind. They ask for nothing, but work for hard for everything. Every year they watch as big schools come and cherry pick the top talent. These kids are left behind and they don’t complain they endure and move forward. If one gets hurt the next steps up and pushes hard. No one has to like them but everyone should respect them. This is the spirit of the west side of Maui. Lead from the front, don’t talk from the back. Imua Lunas…. (can’t believe I said that)
My family and I went to Maui last year along with the Millilani Team. We played Baldwin in a playoff game. We decided to watch the D2 Playoff game in which Lahainaluna hosted Waipahu. At first, we thought they were a JV team and some were even laughing and doubted them. From start to finish, those luna players and fans surprised us. Don’t let your eyes fool you! These Lunas can play and very well capable of beating a top D1 team. Congratulations Lahainaluna on making the top 10!
We seen Lahainaluna play against Waipahu last year when we were on Maui. At first we thought they were the JV team, we had inside jokes, laughing just poking fun. But as soon as the game started, they caught my attention and so did the Mililani players. Lahainaluna and its fans are real! The second time around, we watched them play Kapaa in the Championship game, and we were all rooting for Lahainaluna to win. The tradition and passion this school and its players have, no other team in the state has. Congratulations Lahainaluna!!!
#Mililanialumni
I tried commenting twice, its worthless! GO MILILANI!!! Yay Lahainaluna!!!!
Take it eazy guyz! Lahainaluna is a great D2 school! Do they belong in a D1 debate? maybe but are they D1 caliber? NO!!! @Westin i see where your coming from. In my opinion, “pound 4 pound” they belong in the top 10 easily! However, I am a Kamehameha graduate and highly doubt those mighty Luna’s will stand a chance against these Warriors LOL! A win or lose or a blowout that will be given to Lahainaluna this weekend will not change my mind about their rank. Well deserved CODE RED!! IMUA LAHAINALUNA btw, I love your Hawaiian alma mater
Guaranteed TOP 3 in D2 but not Top Ten overall. No hate, just my opinion.
I can say this, the team is coached well, they run schemes that work with the personnel they have and the kids give great effort. They have great community support and have represented Maui well in all its state appearances.
Enjoy the recognition and good luck this weekend against the Hawaiians from Kapaaaaalama.
Again, the post wasn’t meant as a ding at any specific D2 school not being good at all…
Lets take boxing for instance, its split up by weight class but they are all boxers (in this regard everyone Open/D1 and D2 are all playing football). But in boxing you wouldn’t compare a heavy weight to a feather weight and say, that feather weight boxer should be ranked alongside the heavy weights because they are that good.
They could be great, fantastic even. But all things considered they are a great feather weight boxer (D2) and should be considered as such, a great D2 program and should not be considered among the heavy weights (Open/D1).
Why not give D2 its own top 10. Why not allow more D2 schools opportunities to be recognized.
By the way this is an issue I see in other sports on HPW as well, I think there are some other sports that could easily have a D1 first team and D2 first team but they end up getting combined yet there is so much talent to recognize in the state.
@ Whyy, your right! I agree with most of what you say but the way I interpret “this” Top 10 is a Power Ranking/ pound for pound type..just like boxing have one, and like boxing pound for pound, there are multiple weight classes. Its not if a featherweight can beat a heavyweight..Bill Hull wrote down “regardless of D1or D2”.
Lahainaluna just lost yesterday 34-10 to Kam Kapalama (D1..open division?) TOUGH TOUGH TEAM! Lahaina hung in there for 4 qtrs, anybody’s ball game till giving up 21 pts in the last 4 min of the game. The depth and size eventually wore the smaller guys down. Although we (Lahainaluna) lost this game, Im positive and confident enough to say we would be competitive against D1 teams.
Im not saying we belong there in D1, what I’m saying is D2 (not just Lahaina) has to be respected if not noticed. As you said, there is a lot of talent in Hawaii and all that should be recognized regardless of the division.
Kamehameha coach:
“going into the 4th quarter I had absolutely no idea how the outcome was gonna be, they are a well disciplined, well coached football team. One of the best high school football teams I’ve seen in my 2 years here”
“not just because of the elements (Da Imu), you gotta be ready for the elements, but the LUNAS are an incredible football team. I see why they’re champions”
@PhiLHarmonic, Top 3 in D2..Top 10 in D2 is already nice for us! a lot of good teams out there and and a lot of changes will be made during the season by every team. I think Lahainaluna was unranked at one point last year..and eventually got lucky winning it out.