unpaid D-II football

[unpaid]

Saturday thoughts,

Let the games begin.Let the games be played well and with sportsmanship.

[unpaid]

Week 15,

1.Kapaa 9-0 Shutout Lahainaluna. No.2 Radford next for the state title.
2.Radford 12-0 Hold on to beat Konawaena. No.1 Kapaa next for state title.
3.Konawaena 11-2 Even though the Wildcats lost,it was 48-46....can't see dropping them when it was that close.Season over.
4.Kamehameha-Hawaii 9-3
5.Damien 6-2
6.Kaimuki 7-5
7.Lahainaluna 7-6 Drop one with the loss to Kapaa. SO
8.Nanakuli 7-3
9.Pac-Five 3-3
10.Waialua 5-5

Radford was lucky to escape with a win.Too many turnovers cost them at the beginning of the game and two more at the end almost gave Konawaena a chance to send it into OT and maybe win.Rams will have to hold onto the football better against Kapaa's defense next weekend.Kona came out slinging and almost won it. I think missing that first two-point conversion hurt and they couldn't make it up even after their last score. Radford ran out the clock to 12 seconds and left the Wildcats with a very long field.Time ran out.
I was surprised by Iriarte blowing up in the passing game with 280+ passing yards.The Rams needed something to offset all those turnovers.

Another shutout by the Kapaa Warriors.Backups at QB and RB got valuable experience.I guess Kapaa will lead with their defense as usual next week.

[kauwildman]

If Radford blows out Kapaa, Wildcats go to #2

[leadership]

If Radford blows out Kapaa, Wildcats go to #2

....and KS Hawaii #3

[eonatoa]

If Radford blows out Kapaa, Wildcats go to #2

....and KS Hawaii #3

[kauwildman]

[Getreal$]

If Radford blows out Kapaa, Wildcats go to #2

....and KS Hawaii #3

First off in my own opinion, KSH should be ranked below Damien and quite possibly below Nanakuli. But the focus should be on the DII championship between two solid teams. Sorry "Unpaid" but I think Kapaa takes this one. It will be a good game but the size and speed of Kapaa's defense as compared to Konawaena, will prevent Radford's offense from putting up points like they did last week against. But the bigger issue for Radford that really hasn't gotten better is their turnovers. You can get away with turnovers and pull out a few close ones, but against a solid Kapaa team, can't happen.

As a side, two years ago there was quite a bit of discussion going on in the BIIF about the new Baden ball and how it contributed to the increase in fumbles. I believe one game played early on with the new balls there was 18 fumbles. As the season progresses and the balls get broken in, the number of fumbles are drastically reduced (and players get better). However, once playoffs start they use new balls again, so if you're not accustomed to playing in the rain to begin with, the new balls only make it that much more difficult. Yes, both teams play with the same ball so no excuses, and yes they have contractual obligations with the vendor. I get all that but the next time any of you have a chance to get a hold of a brand new Baden ball, sprinkle a few drops of water on the surface and throw it. Last year they changed to a newer QB1 leather surface instead of the composite, but its still a slippery ball.

[unpaid]

Day before gameday,

My pick is Radford over Kapaa 14-7.

[backyard ballaz]

My prediction is Radford 21, Kapaa 0. Once Radford breaks that Kapaa defense, how will they respond to being in a position they haven't been in all year? We can keep talking defense but let's not forget special teams...Radford will score this route as well.

[Getreal$]

New Baden ball when it gets wet is horrible.

[reignjah11]

Terrible clock management by Radford!

[unpaid]

Rams trying to fumble it away.You got around 280 yards against 15 and you are losing.Try to hold on to the ball in the second half...if that is possible.

[unpaid]

Kapaa defense bringing it...but they are down 30-16...is it too little too late?

[unpaid]

Final 2015 rank,

1.Radford 13-0 2015 State champion
2.Kapaa 9-1 2015 State runnerup
3.Konawaena 11-2
4.Kamehameha-Hawaii 9-3
5.Damien 6-2
6.Kaimuki 7-5
7.Lahainaluna 7-6
8.Nanakuli 7-3
9.Pac-Five 3-3
10.Waialua 5-5

Congrats to Radford and Kapaa on fine seasons.Both had great defenses ,but Radford was just a little tougher on D,especially against the run.Radford scored touchdowns off it's offense,something no other team had managed to do against the Kapaa defense this season.

[backyard ballaz]

1. Radford = 2015 State Champs.

2. Konawaena = Gave Radford their toughest test. You can say they were one call or one play away from being in Radford's shoes. Wildcats were young and return some key players next year.

3. Kapaa = Lack of league competition didn't prepare them for what they seen last night. Playing Lahainaluna in the first round didn't help. I thought they matched up well with Radford, but the physicality got to them. Napoleon had a great year for them in the KIF, but looked uncomfortable against the Ram front.

4. Damien = Fairly young team, will be solid next season.
5. Kamehameha-Hawaii = They will build on key returnees.
6. Lahainaluna = This young team got good experience.
7. Kaimuki = Tautofi now needs to keep kids home and build.
8. Nanakuli = Hawks need to replace some studs for D1 play.
9. St. Francis = Uber young and should be the ILH favorites.
10. Pac-5 = They have to find a QB to replace Ferrira.

Radford proved they had a little more depth and power - they were a Division 1 caliber team. Even though Iolani left, there will always be the big dog that has the transfers and big enrollment bullying the true D2 schools. When Iolani wasn't winning it, teams like Kaiser '13 and Radford '15 did.

Take away early turnovers by Radford and that game was a blowout. Kapaa was game, but Radford always found ways to stray from what they should be doing till they needed to do it. You also seen last night, the most disappointing part about Radford all year was all the unsportsmanlike crap that Salanoa allowed his team to do. Another D1 team steals the D2 title and moves up.