Way early Open/D-I Top Ten 2020 (Hope they can play.)

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Way early Open/D-I Top Ten 2020 (Hope they can play.)

Post by unpaid »

So many questions/caveats surrounding prep sports in the upcoming 2020-2021 school year. I think a reduced schedule of games will be played,but I'm not sure that playoffs and state tournaments get played if the virus infections spike again. We will see. Here's the football preseason rank as I see it. Things will probably change a little depending on transfers that might happen

1.Punahou

The defense will be led by blue-chip LB Tevarua Tafiti 6-2 203 and three-star LB Kahanu Kia 6-2 210. Kilinahe Mendiola-Jensen,Jonah Henry,and Matagi Thompson are a trio of DB's in the 6-0 to 6-2 range in the secondary.John-Keawe Sagapolutele SO QB leads the offense. Alema Moeava OL 6-2 330 is a capable blocker upfront.3-star WR Kilinahe Mendiola-Jensen and Christopher Paige WR 6-2 185 will be top targets in the passing game.Puns need a running game,I think.

2.St.Louis

Could have been No.1, but none of last year's backup QB's really made a statement in game action despite lots of game time afforded by numerous Crusader blowouts in 2019.My guess is that 3-star AJ Bianco 6-3 210 wins the job. St.Louis will feature a college-size OL with three 3-stars in Kalan Ellis 6-5 330,Jonah Savaiinaea 6-2 332, and Laakea Kapoi 6-4 305.
Blue-chip LB Mason Tufaga Is enrolling early at Utah and will not return for a spring football season, if there is one,according to a story from Hawaiiprepworld.A couple of underclassmen flashed some talent at LB as well including 3-star Laakea Louis.Crusaders need a QB to take command and they must replace a slew of receivers.

3.Kahuku

Zealand Matagi is the alpha male at RB.The Red Raiders have a kick returner from last year that I would like to see get the ball a little more this year. Jason Mariteragi figures to get time at QB again since Tiger Adolpho transferred to an Idaho Hs to play fall football. Cole Pruitt WR should be a top target. Sione Heimuli 6-3 320 leads the OL. On defense,seems like LB Zion Ah You Is a player to count on.Alan Talanoa transferred to a mainland school for fall football,as well as some of those JV players that were coming up.

4.Mililani

Lately,it's been about defense for the Trojans. That continues this fall with blue-chip Wynden Hoohuli at LB and three-star Sonny Semeatu 6-1 235 LB. Three-star DB Fatuvalu Iosefa is in the secondary. Trojans need better QB play and must replace some receiving and OL talent in 2020.

5.Campbell

Blue-chip Titus Mokiao-Atimalala 6-0 170 WR is the go-to for the Saber offense.He's also good on defense ,too. 3-star Blaine Hipa 6-2 175 QB returns to run the O. Three-star Peter Manuma 5-11 195 LB is on defense,but he's an all-around player that makes plays on offense ,too.

6.Damien

First,they were gonna play,then they weren't gonna play,now they're gonna play again.They promised they would.I'm not mentioning any players like I did originally for the Monarchs,cuz who knows....some of the parents might have already started transfers.

7.Lahainaluna

Yep.The Lunas moved up to D-I. TJ Galoia 6-1 280 and Hookipa Sakalia 5-11 275 OL do the people-moving up front so guys like Tre Rickard can score some points. On defense ,look for Matai Mataafa DE 6-1 200

8.Leilehua

Might have the Mules undervalued at eight ,but they have moved up to Open so we will see how they adjust. I figure Kalei Akagi 5-11 180 will spend fall at QB. When he's not throwing the ball,there's Jamil Vereen 5-11 180 to run the ball awhile. The big hitters on defense should be Kiaka Pio 6-1 235 DL and Selau Aiava 5-10 160 DB.

9.Kamehameha

The OL is sturdy with two three-stars in Kuao Peihopa 6-3 306 and Austyn Kauhi 6-5 260 up front.Sophomore Tausili Akana is an up-and -comer LB 6-3 210.Akana transferred to a Utah Hs to play a fall season. Hawaiiprepworld is reporting that Akana would have to sit out football in the spring should he transfer back to Kamehameha after playing fall football in Utah. Warriors won't stay in the top ten long unless they can fix the offensive doldrums of the past two seasons.

10.Kailua

Surfriders will count on big Tevita Tongatea 6-2 265.Three-Star QB Cameron Friel is planning to enroll at UNLV inJanuary which means he would not play his senior season for Kailua.

Next two in,

Waianae

Seariders could get out of the bottom of the Open division this year with players like three-star DL Zhen-Keith Sotelo 6-4 265 and Alvin Quisquirin-Sabagala 5-9 210 RB.


Hilo

I think Kaimi Tiagangco goes back to QB for the Vikings.Tysen Kaniaupio 6-2 260 is a force along the DL.
Last edited by unpaid on Mon Oct 26, 2020 2:39 am, edited 14 times in total.

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Re: Way early Open/D-I Top Ten 2020 (Hope they can play.)

Post by HS Football Fanatic »

@unpaid:
1. As you said, high school sports (especially fall sports like football) are looking really iffy with COVID-19 still hanging-around. Many college football teams were conducting spring training, but players on several teams contracted the virus, so those colleges put their training on hold. While the high school teams here are starting training later, COVID-19 might still be a threat.
2. I don't care for Punahou School, so it distresses me that you ranked them #1, but I agree that they're probably the best team at this point. St Louis School, whom you ranked #2, needs to stop them in ILH Open. Now that Cal has stepped-down from the HC position, as DC he can focus all his effort and attention on defense. Cal, if you happen to be reading this, please: Stop Punahou's O. Now that Terrell has graduated, presumably you won't have to worry as much about their run game this year, but could you please have your D get to Sagapolutele and tear his head off. You're a great coach, and thank goodness, defense is your specialty. During WW2, the American Army Air Force had a mission: Get Yamamoto. (Yamamoto was the top Japanese admiral, who also planned the Pearl Harbor attack.) And, they did get him; they ambushed the Betty medium-bomber he was flying in on his way to Bougainville. Cal, as I'm sure you'd agree, for the upcoming season--if COVID-19 doesn't screw it up--the St Louis defense has a mission: Get Sagapolutele. Tear his head off. I hope you and your D will succeed, just as the American Army Air Force got Yamamoto during WW2. unpaid: Did St Louis take JV? How good was their defense? Cal could use as many good players on D as he can get, especially on the front-seven. He needs D-linemen and LBs to zero-in on Sagapolutele and tear his head off. Cal, don't let Punahou School keep you and your brother out of States. Get Sagapolutele. I should mention here that I have nothing against Sagapolutele personally; I don't know the kid, I've never met him. What I don't like is the school he's playing for. If he were playing for some other school, I probably wouldn't care how well he does.
3. Kamehameha is probably overranked at #9. As usual, they have a good O-line, and, as usual, that good O-line is wasted on having nothing to block for. No decent RB to run-block for, no decent QB to pass-protect. Kamehameha's O-line, as usual, is a juggernaut looking for a genuine reason for being. Well, Kamehameha might have a decent RB in Clemente. He's not that big, but he's blazing fast. If Kamehameha's good O-line can blow-open some holes and destroy opposing LBs, Clemente needs just a seam, and he could be gone. With his speed, he might be able to outrun the other school's DBs, especially if he gets the right angle on them.

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Re: Way early Open/D-I Top Ten 2020 (Hope they can play.)

Post by gopunahou »

unpaid wrote: Sat Jun 06, 2020 10:07 am So many questions/caveats surrounding prep sports in the upcoming 2020-2021 school year. I think a reduced schedule of games will be played,but I'm not sure that playoffs and state tournaments get played if the virus infections spike again. We will see. Here's the football preseason rank as I see it. Things will probably change a little depending on transfers that might happen

1.Punahou

The defense will be led by blue-chip LB Tevarua Tafiti 6-2 203 and three-star LB Kahanu Kia 6-2 210. Kilinahe Mendiola-Jensen,Jonah Henry,and Matagi Thompson are a trio of DB's in the 6-0 to 6-2 range in the secondary.John-Keawe Sagapolutele SO QB leads the offense. Alema Moeava OL 6-2 330 is a capable blocker upfront. Christopher Paige WR 6-2 185 is a top target in the passing game.Puns need a running game,I think.

2.St.Louis

Could have been No.1, but none of last year's backup QB's really made a statement in game action despite lots of game time afforded by numerous Crusader blowouts in 2019.My guess is that AJ Bianco 6-3 210 wins the job. St.Louis will feature a college-size OL with Kalan Ellis 6-5 330,Jonah Savaiinnaea 6-2 332, and Laakea Kapoi 6-4 305.
Blue-chip LB Mason Tufaga stars on defense. A couple of underclassmen flashed some talent at LB as well. Crusaders need a QB to take command and they must replace a slew of receivers.

3.Kahuku

Zealand Matagi is the alpha male at RB.The Red Raiders have a kick returner from last year that I would like to see get the ball a little more this year. Tiger Adolpho and Jason Mariteragi figure to both get time at QB again in the fall.Cole Pruitt WR should be a top target. Sione Heimuli 6-3 320 leads the OL. On defense,seems like LB Zion Ah You and Alan Talanoa LB are the guys to count on. Help is on the way from a good JV squad.

4.Mililani

Lately,it's been about defense for the Trojans. That continues this fall with blue-chip Wynden Hoohuli at LB and Sonny Semeatu 6-1 235 LB. Three-star DB Fatuvalu Iosefa is in the secondary. Trojans need better QB play and must replace some receiving and OL talent in 2020.

5.Campbell

Blue-chip Titus Mokiao-Atimalala 6-0 170 WR is the go-to for the Saber offense.He's also good on defense ,too. Blaine Hipa 6-2 175 QB returns to run the O. Peter Manuma 5-11 195 LB is on defense,but he's an all-around player that makes plays on offense ,too.

6.Damien

This could be the year the Monarchs beat Iolani and get the ILH state D-I playoff slot. They have OL Kaysen Mahuka-Kaawa and Jason Hoohuli blocking for RB Aperamo Sulu. Anstyn Kauhi DB brings senior leadership to the defense.

7.Lahainaluna

Yep.The Lunas moved up to D-I. TJ Galoia 6-1 280 and Hookipa Sakalia 5-11 275 OL do the people-moving up front so guys like Tre Rickard can score some points. On defense ,look for Matai Mataafa DE 6-1 200

8.Leilehua

Might have the Mules undervalued at eight ,but they have moved up to Open so we will see how they adjust. I figure Kalei Akagi 5-11 180 will spend fall at QB. When he's not throwing the ball,there's Jamil Vereen 5-11 180 to run the ball awhile. The big hitters on defense should be Kiaka Pio 6-1 235 DL and Selau Aiava 5-10 160 DB.

9.Kamehameha

The OL is sturdy with Kuao Pehipoa 6-3 306 and Austyn Kauhi 6-5 260 up front.Sophomore Tausili Akana is an up-and -comer LB 6-3 210. Warriors won't stay in the top ten long unless they can fix the offensive doldrums of the past two seasons.

10.Kailua

Surfriders will count on three-star QB Cameron Friel 6-4 205 and big Tevita Tongatea 6-2 265.

Next two in,

Waianae

Seariders could get out of the bottom of the Open division this year with players like three-star DL Zhen-Keith Sotelo 6-4 265 and Alvin Quisquirin-Sabagala 5-9 210 RB.

Hilo

I think Kaimi Tiagangco goes back to QB for the Vikings.Tysen Kaniaupio 6-2 260 is a force along the DL.
We do. Hopefully we won’t be in the same position we were in 2016. We beat SLS that year but struggled to run the ball. We can’t let the loss of VT cripple us.
Punahou Football: 12-1, 2008 ILH and State Champions! 11-0, 2013 ILH and State Champions, a team for the ages!

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Re: Way early Open/D-I Top Ten 2020 (Hope they can play.)

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@gopunahou: Well, it looks like Punahou has everything except the run game. unpaid has them pegged at #1.

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Re: Way early Open/D-I Top Ten 2020 (Hope they can play.)

Post by gopunahou »

Another great receiver of ours who made a ton of big plays was Rayden Kiaaina-Torres. He'll be a senior.

It makes me wonder if we'll move player who was not a running back to that position. We've won ILH titles with that strategy--doing that with Ryan Nobriga in 2005 and Ryan Tuiasoa in 2012 and made it to the state championship game.
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Re: Way early Open/D-I Top Ten 2020 (Hope they can play.)

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gopunahou wrote: Sat Jun 06, 2020 11:27 pm Another great receiver of ours who made a ton of big plays was Rayden Kiaaina-Torres. He'll be a senior.

It makes me wonder if we'll move player who was not a running back to that position. We've won ILH titles with that strategy--doing that with Ryan Nobriga in 2005 and Ryan Tuiasoa in 2012 and made it to the state championship game.
@gopunahou: Very few schools win titles without a run game. In fact, the only school I can think of at the moment that did that, is St Louis. Typically, St Louis has done it with a very good pass game, and a very good defense. Those two combined to make a run game unnecessary. The question is, can Punahou School do that this coming season (if there is a coming season)? Obviously, it depends on how strong the other schools in Open are. unpaid thinks that Punahou's top competitors in Open are St Louis and Kahuku. Kahuku is relevant only to the extent of whether they can knock Punahou off, as only one school from ILH Open goes to States. If Punahou is indeed the top school in Open, then if Kahuku can beat Punahou, they can probably beat St Louis, too. So, it still comes down to Punahou vs St Louis. As you know, unfortunately, I simply don't care for Punahou School, so I'm imploring St Louis DC Cal Lee to apply his considerable coaching skills to containing Punahou's O. Not only was Cal a good HC; he's also a specialist on defense. That's just what the doctor ordered for St Louis as it tries to contain a strong Punahou pass game. What I'm hoping will help Cal is that St Louis usually has outstanding players on defense every year. So, good coach + good players.

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Re: Way early Open/D-I Top Ten 2020 (Hope they can play.)

Post by bandits1 »

Excited to see Leilehua back in the bigs. When D1 was the top division, they were nearly always competitive and occasionally elite despite being undersized, with their fast-moving O + tough D.

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Re: Way early Open/D-I Top Ten 2020 (Hope they can play.)

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bandits1 wrote: Sun Jun 14, 2020 11:15 am Excited to see Leilehua back in the bigs. When D1 was the top division, they were nearly always competitive and occasionally elite despite being undersized, with their fast-moving O + tough D.
@bandits1: Yeah. I don't recall Leilehua sucking over the past four decades or so, but I remember that during the late-'70s, their problem was that they were usually kind of small on the O-line. They had decent RBs, but often didn't have a monster O-line to blow the other school's D-line out of the way. But then, with that smaller size comes speed, as you say. More recently, say, over the past ten years, they've had good QBs. They did have a good QB back in '74, Alex Kaloi. He led Leilehua to the OIA title that year.

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Re: Way early Open/D-I Top Ten 2020 (Hope they can play.)

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^^^They've had good QBs and WR/SBs. I remember throughout the Manley-Sadanaga eras the Mules always had at least one elite slotback who could've started for any team in any league.

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Re: Way early Open/D-I Top Ten 2020 (Hope they can play.)

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bandits1 wrote: Sun Jun 14, 2020 2:51 pm ^^^They've had good QBs and WR/SBs. I remember throughout the Manley-Sadanaga eras the Mules always had at least one elite slotback who could've started for any team in any league.
@bandits1: Well, yeah, over the past ten years, they've been primarily a good pass-team; good QBs and receivers.

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Re: Way early Open/D-I Top Ten 2020 (Hope they can play.)

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The new rise in CV cases tells me that high schools can forget about July practices.
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Re: Way early Open/D-I Top Ten 2020 (Hope they can play.)

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gopunahou wrote: Mon Jun 15, 2020 10:27 pm The new rise in CV cases tells me that high schools can forget about July practices.
@gopunahou: Yeah. There were 15 cases Friday, and 17 Saturday. That's terrifying. There was a period when we were getting only 0 or 1 case a day. This is a terrible situation. Fall sports at high schools might be screwed. I don't know when this crap is going to stop.

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Re: Way early Open/D-I Top Ten 2020 (Hope they can play.)

Post by unpaid »

Looks like Damien won't be playing football,basketball, or volleyball this year so I have redone the way early football rank. Waianae slides in at 10 and the previous 7-10 teams have been moved up one spot each.

Curious about admin thinking at Damien.From the StarAdvertiser article,it appears that Damien will still have an athletic director on a part-time basis,so it would seem like they will have some sports. Wonder why football and basketball weren't part of the plan going forward.

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Re: Way early Open/D-I Top Ten 2020 (Hope they can play.)

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If the St. Louis-Mater Dei game indeed happens, the Crusaders will meet a team that produces QBs just as well as they. This is a school that's seen two alums (John Huarte and Matt Leinart) win Heisman trophies and given colleges the likes of Billy Blanton (who killed Iolani--during HS :D --and UH during college), Matt Barkley, JT Daniels, and Bryce Young. Not to mention Colt Brennan. Needless to say, Mater Dei is a QB factory.
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Re: Way early Open/D-I Top Ten 2020 (Hope they can play.)

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unpaid wrote: Fri Jun 26, 2020 5:42 am Looks like Damien won't be playing football,basketball, or volleyball this year so I have redone the way early football rank. Waianae slides in at 10 and the previous 7-10 teams have been moved up one spot each.

Curious about admin thinking at Damien.From the StarAdvertiser article,it appears that Damien will still have an athletic director on a part-time basis,so it would seem like they will have some sports. Wonder why football and basketball weren't part of the plan going forward.
@unpaid: Damien School has really gone-out on a limb. I thought Mid-Pac Institute raised eyebrows when it announced a week or two ago that its students wouldn't be participating on Pac-Five's football, wrestling, and competitive cheerleading teams. Now Damien School is saying they won't have football, (girls') basketball, and (girls') volleyball. I wonder if Damien alumni are pissed. When Mid-Pac Institute said it won't be taking part in the three Pac-Five teams I mentioned, at least Pac-Five is a separate entity. While Mid-Pac doesn't have its own football and wrestling teams, it does have its own cheerleaders. Those girls wear Mid-Pac unis, and can be seen at Mid-Pac's basketball games. By contrast, Damien School is canceling three teams all of which represent that school exclusively and directly.
Last edited by HS Football Fanatic on Sat Jun 27, 2020 11:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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