Marcus Lombard put it bluntly.
“Punahou gave us cracks at first,” the Kahuku right guard said.
It was a confession rooted in respect, of course, nothing illegal or dirty. Punahou’s defense brought some hammers and stuffed Kahuku’s ground game for some time in their Open Division clash on Saturday night at Carleton E. Weimer Field. But Kahuku didn’t stop. The body blows kept coming. The inside-the-tackles trench work gradually wore down Punahou’s stout front seven to pull out a 41-28 win.
It mattered to Kahuku, which is now 2-0, though neither win counts in the OIA’s standings. Games against ILH teams in this new OIA-ILH alliance don’t count for OIA teams, though they do count in the ILH standings.
It didn’t matter to the O-line or any other unit on Kahuku’s sideline.
“We’re playing every game the same way,” coach Sterling Carvalho said.
By definition, Kahuku did it with full frontal force. By game’s end, the home team racked up 324 rushing yards on 49 carries, and three Red Raiders amassed at least 87 yards on the ground. Toalei Lefau had 114 yards on 13 attempts, including a 65-yard touchdown jaunt that featured at least two nifty cutbacks. Wes Alo-Maiava carried the ball 23 times for 87 yards and four touchdowns, including three out of sets that began as the Michigan-style centipede, but turned into wildcat formations.
Quarterback Robbie Sauvao, making his second career start, passed for 192 yards and ran for 115 more. The bulk came on two big runs to help fuel Kahuku in the second half.
All in all, however, it was defense and adjustments that stymied a hot Punahou passing offense. Making his first career start, Hugh Brady finished with 311 passing yards, but was limited to 9-for-25 accuracy with two picks for 78 yards in his last 10 possessions.
A Kahuku offensive line that turned the tide, allowing the defense to rest, made the biggest difference.
“It’s a testament to all the work they put in during the offseason,” Carvalho said.
“They’re the first in the weight room every time,” Sauvao added.
And those staggering blows handed out by Punahou’s tough defensive unit, well, Kahuku just refused to panic or change the game plan.
“We figured out their alignments and what we needed to do better,” Lombard said.
Congratulations Red Raiders…
Why was tausili and Tupuola playing D-tackle in first half? They should’ve been on the ends. Score would be 41-0. Kahuku,,,,, just saying
Hats off to Punahou. They had an awesome first half. Great football team.
Torwards the end of 2nd, we were able to figure out Punahou. That’s where we took it. Punahou had size and talent. But the difference is that they ain’t us.
Exceedingly excited for what is to come.
2018 EVERYBODY…….GETTING SMASHED
@John Soller, did you happen to see the Waianae STL game? This game could have easily been 90-0 with starters pulled after the 2nd quarter with no fall off. While Kahuku may ‘smash” most of their opponents STL is just a league of it’s own and the Koa is staying at Kalaepohaku!
STAY RE-CCRUITING @KALAEPOFAKU–ST LOUIS DOES NOT AMAZE ME!! never did never will!! PROUD TOO BEE FROMM DA WAIANAE COAST—we dooggs will get our daze##
I think pumahou did a pretty good job for a first game! Everybody’s first game not gonna be their best. I’m glad both leagues finally put their differences aside and let the kids play! What a game and it shows what a season of awesome football we are in for! Only wish they would fix the state tournament! By right and all fairness the only the top 4 teams should be in there! Not fair to the other teams to habe to sit out because of! Well you know! Just a shame it has to be like that..and no I’m not a ilh fan! Just a fan of good football… Go big red
Can the JV have the same open division state playoffs too? That would be nice!!! Go Crusaders!! No need hide behind code names…
@auwe are you a fan of football or a fan of big red? I got a little confused there. We’re all fans of football. Good job kahuku! Killer running game and defense is tough! Can’t wait to see u guys clash with the Lou and the Trojans! St. Louis in a whole different pay grade than anyone else. They taking school spirits across the state. Lou Gang baby!
Just sayin…uh Waianae lost to Waipahu. Nuff said. Stop talking bubbles.
Clarification and Insight……. REAL TALK.
*ST LOUIS and KAHUKU is the “ONLY” TEAMS THAT PUT Hawaii High School Football on the map. Both draw recruiters.
*In no way do I boast or pridefully speak of Kahukus success. Kahuku is a public school. We’re the ones that aren’t supposed to have the ability to beat a team like St Louis. I was at the 2000 game between the two. Seen it with my own eyes and still couldn’t believe that Kahuku disthroned St Louis.
The difference…….according to Hawaii High School “State title history”, St Louis………is supposed to win EVERYTIME.
*Kahukus State Title History starts at 2000. That…….is the year that recruitment became Hawaii Big.
****EVERYONE CHEER FOR ST LOUIS FOOTBALL……. THEY’RE GONNA NEED IT.
Impressive win RedRaidaz
Hats off to both teams! Well coached, adjustments made from field experience, off-season commitment to training, and dedication to their craft! Life skills learned and practiced playing the game of football! Let’s keep the positive support from the fans throughout the season, win or lose! Congratulations again to both teams, I know they’ll make adjustments this week in practice and prep for their next battle! Enjoy the journey!
Although this new ILH-OIA division is good for us fans, realistically there’s only two teams @ the top. And it’s a huge drop off after that. Kahuku and St. Louis. September 7th @ Aloha Stadium, it’s going down!!! More people going be at that game than any UH game haha
gotta hand it to punahou. They REALLY upped their recruiting game to try to keep up with us. But when you come to La’ie, you get CRACKS! All the ILH people talking all this trash. LOL!! You guys spent decades destroying communities and football programs by recruiting the best players in the state. Much respect to Punahou, though. They had to sit through a long bus ride only to get SMACKED IN THE MOUTH. Better luck next year and be sure to hit the recruiting trail hard. HAHA RRFL!
The title of this article is accurate, though. We didn’t just win. We beat Punahou up. Punahou has a great passing offense but they’re a finesse team. Like all ILH teams, they’re a soft team playing in a soft league. Mark my words: the merger is going to be the worst thing to happen to the ILH. They should just stay in their flag football league and throw the ball around with their qbs wearing orange jerseys. RRFL!
Lots of trolling like last year. Good win by Kahuku. Punahou looks good. They have a killer road season. Give them credit. Kahuku makes adjustments as needed. Kaniho switches on Falatea, Fiatoa goes to the DE position, shutdown. As always Kahuku spots you 130 yards in penalties. Some stupid penalties like Nalu over aggression on that fumble punt. Playing on Kahuku rock hard field is murder for opponents. Punahou looks good. It’s up to the team leaders to go 4 quarters.
Better “trolling” than being an ILH apologist like “Coach” C, trash talking our kids after they played a great game and proved they’re #1 in the state. Keep being jealous. Keep being envious, “Coach”. RRFL!
Here we go all those people who claim to have red raider pride and didn’t even go there. This place is full of you guys. And you fail to mention mililani is up there too. All in all I hope St Louis takes your red raiders out again.
St. Louis going smash kahuku. Then it will be crybaby time for arrogant fans.
Relax everyone it’s just the first game and beginning of the season. St. Louisa’s should be, is number one until someone defeats them. They were very impressive in on phases against Waianae. However, Waianae, has always started off their seasons slow but gets better over the rest of the season. Unfortunately, they lost a lot of leaders and key players through graduation. They are not of the same caliber as St. Louis. Give them time.
Apologies to St. Louis. There was a spellcheck error on the previous post. Unintentional. Also it should have said that, “they were impressive in all phases.”
@Lou soilder, am a fan of good football and also a kahuku alumni, this is way better then watching big red against Radford or aiea or lopsided games period. Not worth paying to watch. Just saying how much better the state tourney would be with all the top teams, instead of how it is presently..
Punahou had a great gameplan that worked for a little while, its just what the Red Raiders needed to see to learn how to prepare for other passing teams. Miliani will be similar and of course StLouis will be the true test. Excited for this season and for the players of all the teams. Love the school spirit from from players, coaches and fans. We need to elevate our game as a whole state and this is a great step towards doing that. In the end, its about the kids with opportunities to go beyond high school football…it is to become better people, playing with passion yet in control of their emotions, playing on the next level and opportunities for a college degree and education with some even playing pro. In the end…they are OUR kids who we should all be cheering for now and throughout their career(s). Cheer with PRIDE but also with CLASS. Whether from OIA, ILH, MIL, BIIF, KIF, Waianae, Punahou, StLouis, Kahuku, we need to be better fans in cheering on our teams and not putting any of them down. Good luck to all. Go BIG RED!
As for Kahuku’s game with Punahou, defensively, they have to change up it’s blitz schemes because, as Punahou demonstrated, opposing offensive line coaches have scouted and made blocking adjustments to take away their defense’s strength. After adjusting and coming off the edge, the pressure was better. It forced their QB to step up where the NG & DT made plays.
Kahuku will be tested every week, as will all the other Open Division teams. Looks like the OIA front runners are Mililani, Kahuku, and Campbell. Kapolei & Waianae will improve as the season progresses. Remember, the games against the ILH teams don’t count towards the OIA division standings.
Kahuku demonstrated a balanced offense. Short passing game & play action will work when opposing defenses load the box to stop the run. Sauvao has some moxy. Some think that Kahuku ‘s DB’s gave up too many yards on the short passes. As long as they don’t let the receivers beat them deep or miss tackles when receivers get the ball underneath, as Punahou did, they’ll be fine. It seemed like that was the game plan. However, can’t play too much man on the outside because good receivers and WB’s will exploit that.
Im impressed with Robbie savao. Guy is doing a great job in the pocket and passing the ball very well. I know alapa hasn’t played yet but Robbie is proving he’s worthy. Also make you think what if Sol Jay stayed and how the offense would’ve been.
ILH schools are private schools. They are not restricted by district. If you are willing to pay to go to the school, you will be accepted. OIA schools are restricted by districts. ILH can possibly give “scholarships” to kids and OIA can magically find a household, in district, that a kid lives in. You can’t mention football at any level without mentioning recruiting. Just let the kids play and programs take responsibility for the wins and losses. We finally got the ILH playing OIA in regular season. We don’t have to wait to see Kahuku and STL play in states. It’s week 1 of the season and people are already complaining about recruiting. Everyone sounds like a future head coach in here lol.
Kahuku’s #10 > Punahou’s #5 🤷🏽♂️
Miki Ah You is the best linebacker in the state. Hands down.
Positives:
1. OC and DC are great for Kahuku
2. Oline is monster as always and is 2-3 deep
3. QB and WRs have lots of potential
4. Defense is good, will get better.
Constructive criticism
1. Kahuku QB’s still dont know how to protect the ball when running, slide, or run for the sidelines. Thats how Soljay got hurt last year he
2. STILL Terrible time management at the end of games, why they running out of bounds to stop the clock?
@Awrite, your assessments are correct. Sauvao can develop into a good quarterback that can manage and execute the game plan. He has a capable o-line, a strong running game, and decent receivers. He doesn’t have to make all the plays by himself. Unlike previous years, the offense was built around a couple of play makers. This offense has the makings of being as good or better than Kahuku offenses of the past. Coaches need to correct and emphasize ball security. Also, implement and practice time management and 2-minute drills.
@Awrite, defensively, the blitz & stunt packages need to be modified. Most teams have scoured and know that Kahuku’s strength is coming from up the middle. They have two good defensive ends that can come off the edge quicker. Plus they can also send the OLB’s, as they did last night. Coverage wise, if they’re going to give up underneath passes, they need to tackle better and don’t let receivers beat them over the top.
@Awrite, special teams for Kahuku are decent. Heffernan is almost automatic on PAT’s. But on kickoffs, he needs to get it deeper. Kickoff coverage is decent as well. Punting is okay. Return game needs to get better to ensure good field position for the offense. Penalties need to be corrected. Good to be aggressive but yet the defense needs to be more disciplined. It hurt them a lot and gave Punahou an advantage.
Good job Punahou in the first half, but Kahuku made some changes in the second half, and dominated. It looks like Kapolei, Farrington, and Waianae are in the hot seat right now. But this week was pretty interesting for the Open Division Mililani dominated Farrington, Jayden made his debut for St. Louis, Kahuku did a good job going smash football in the 2nd half. Waianae looks like a mess right now, I believe they are going 0-9 or 1 win. Am so tired of people saying “recruits” who cares? It football yall make it a big deal out of it.
One thing I admire about what they are doing at Mililani and STL is that they pay attention to detail. You can see it in their athletes. Its no mistake that Mariota, Tua and Milton and now Gabriel are where they are now, its because the little things.
I hope Sterling is able to take Kahuku athletes to that next level of doing the little things.
It was the little things that cost Kahuku the title these past two years.
I listen to some of the arm chair Kahuku fans from the stands and talking in social media and they have no clue about the world of athletics, some of them are even former players but mostly they are all females. Shut them up and let Sterling and the coaches coach.
Lets wait and see the end product of this Kahuku team come playoff time.
A bit disappointed in the disrespectfulness of #5 Linebacker from Punahou in his cocky comments before the game. Don’t ever walk into someone else’s territory yelling “this is my house” and if you do at least be able to back up your words.
Cmon already, Kahuku vs. Stl, and den everybody else play flag football, dat way Kahuku goin be champs, and Flag Footbll champs goin be either Pun or KS, why, cauze they atletic but soft, no get mad, just one proffet talkin, peace out.
All I know is if Kahuku leave tausili and Tuia on the ends where they belong, millilani and st lulu not going score a single touchdown cause not goin have time to get the ball off. Face it people this is the top 2 defensive ends probably on the west coast. Tausili maybe in the nation.
Reddog 5% – Those two DE’s are great but in reference to my post above about the “Little things”, they gotta stop jumping offside, they did it like 10 times its so ridiculous. Makes me wonder if the mental capacity is up to par with their physical greatness.
Sad thing about #5 is that Punahou is not his house either cause hes just another POLY mercenary brought in as a body to do the dirty work. Our polys are just being used and abused in the ILH system. Should have stayed in his public school and rep the OIA.
As far as his statement about “Kahuku is my house”. After he couldnt catch our Fullback on that 64 yd TD I laughed, then when he couldnt catch our QB on the 50yd scramble I died! Brother should probably move to oline or something.
The top 5 teams in Hawaii should be playing a Mainland Teams , like Mater Dei , St. Johns Bosco and Corona Centennial. Not Much Competition among Each other.
Great game by both teams. As usual, Kahuku’s defense stepped up when it needed to, and stifled the Punahou offense in the 2nd half. I have to agree w/ the comments regarding #5 from Punahou. I think I expected a whole lot more production out of a USC commit. Hopefully this is a humbling experience for him.
Good luck to both teams the rest of the season.
In no way am i saying the Tufono kid isn’t good. Because if he wasn’t a baller, he wouldn’t be going to USC. But what i am saying is after all the hype over the summer about him racking in all kine offers and whatnot, i was expecting him to live up that number he was wearing. I agree with “Real Talk On HawaiiPrepWorld”, Ah You is the best linebacker in the state. Best ‘defensive player’ in the state is definitely between him and Tuitele from the Lou.
Quit mud slinging, bashing kids, teams and their programs! Give credit for the effort and the hard work the kids and coaches put forth daily. This new ILH-OIA alliance gonna help make these kids competitive for the next level.
Enjoy the season.
Obviously Kahuku football post garners 44 hits at this point. Lots of followers. Well it was the top Open game of the week. #22 Auwe said Open is better because it will prevent lopsided Kahuku vs.Aiea or Radford etc , but we had a 69-6 game in the first week and the winning coach and defensive player wanted it to be 69-0?? Huh? Why?? For National standing/rank???Very sad. We might be heading towards the 80”s dynasty at all cost.
How can anybody brag about STL smashing Waianae? STL recruits the top athletes from all over the state so they supposed to smash OIA schools!!! Until they can beat Bishop Gorman, Mater Dei or St John Bosco I will NEVER respect them…. STL alumni please STOP, there’s Nothing to Brag about…
I agree Miki Ah You (Kahuku) and Faatui Tuitele (STL) are both the top candidates for best “defensive player of the year”. Both are outstanding players on the field and their respect and character is just as outstanding.
Trashing kids.
I no can believe. It never is awrite to trash kids.
Pun intended. Monkey.
Every year people say St Louis is on a whole nother level, yet every year it’s either Kahuku beating thenm or Kahuku in there with them. Just be thankful for this year’s new combined schedules. A lot better than OIA vs OIA cause at the end of the day, it’s only Kahuku vs St Louis lol
Kahuku has won 40 home games in a row, that is no coincidence that they won saturday. Punt block was the difference in the game.
Kahuku fans were polite and respectful, nothing like the posters here.
Refs were ok but there was alot of holding going on and a few cheap shots not called,couple Pi’s not called and so on (tape dont lie). Refs are affraid to make big calls against Kahuku @ kahuku, always have always will. Would it have change the score, maybe not but I would take Punahou in a rematch. Easier to correct 9 sacks with blocking , and a block punt, plus next time it would be at Aloha Stadium where the they beat Kahuku the previous two times. its only August, gotta plenty of season left.