Farrington coach Randall Okimoto has positioned the Govs near the top of the OIA for a long time.
Farrington has finished with a winning record in each of the last 10 years and has advanced to the state tournament in four of the last five seasons.
The Govs have yet to break through to win an OIA championship under Okimoto thanks in large part to the two teams that have combined to win the last eight OIA titles.
Farrington is just 3-19 against Mililani and Kahuku since the start of the 2006 season. The Govs did knock off the Red Raiders, who had been No. 1 in 19 of 24 weeks since the debut of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Top 10 poll, in a memorable No. 1 vs. No. 2 regular-season game in 2011, but were shut out by Kahuku in the OIA title game that year.
Farrington’s record is actually worse (1-7) against the Trojans than the Red Raiders (2-12). The most recent meeting between the two schools ended with the Govs allowing a program-record 71 points to Mililani in a 71-28 loss at Aloha Stadium last September.
The teams meet again on Saturday night at Mililani with the sixth-ranked Trojans positioned one spot ahead of No. 7 Farrington in the latest Honolulu Star-Advertiser Top-10 rankings.
The Govs have a lot going for them heading into this game. Seniors Bishop Rapoza (11-18, 177 yds, 3 TD) and Justin Uahinui (9-17, 175 yds, 3 TD) give Okimoto two perfectly capable quarterbacks who combined have yet to throw an interception. They have studs at both running back in Challen Faamatau (44 carries, 155 yds, 3 TD) and wide receiver in Kingston Moses-Sanchez (11 rec, 204 yds (leads OIA), 3 TD).
The other side of the ball is where the Govs have to improve against the Trojans. In the last five losses, Farrington has given up a total of 208 points (41.6 per game). The number will almost surely come down with Mililani no longer running its star trio of McKenzie Milton, Vavae Malepeai and Kalakaua Timoteo out on the field. However, the Trojans did run out converted linebacker Jalen Olomua as a running back last week and Olomua responded with 126 yards and a touchdown on only six carries in a 42-0 win over Castle.
When evaluating the OIA race, Waianae has stolen most of the early-season headlines with wins over Kamehameha and Kapolei. Its game against Kahuku on Friday night will determine the top dog in the OIA this early in the season. It’s also overshadowed Saturday’s tilt between Mililani and Farrington. The Trojans won the state title just two years ago and have won three of the last six OIA titles, so nobody has forgotten about them.
But if there’s a team lying in the weeds just waiting to explode onto the scene, it’s the Govs, who didn’t get as much credit for a 42-7 thumping of Kailua as they probably deserved. The story of that game was the Surfriders losing starting QB Keoni Serikawa to a broken collarbone.
Farrington has always been right there in the OIA chase but hasn’t been able to break through against Kahuku and Mililani. The Govs have a pretty good opportunity to do just that on Saturday night, and a victory would not only put Farrington in prime position to win the OIA Red, but prove the Govs are indeed a team worth taking very seriously this season.
I think Olomua would have to go back to D because of Faamatau.
If Farrington don’t come out with a W this week after taking dirties the last 3yrs then somthing gotta change.
@Alpha
Something had to change long time ago. These Govs only settle for “making playoffs”.
@iSpeakReality…… politics, the coaching staff has been a revolving door except for the head coach…
Good luck to da Govs! Somehow someway Kalihi boys gotta win a State Title in Football! Lovely new stadium much deserved!
Okimoto can be the 4th seed OIA to the tournament every year & they still won’t make the change..I guess the school is looking for something beyond that he’s doing.
Championships don’t run through Kalihi.
Skills to coach, skills to sale and skills to politic..The coaches that understand those 3 skills always go deep in the playoffs.
Farrington’s roster must get picked clean by the ILH every year.
Challen Faamatau is a beast but the Govs need way more then him alone…..
I would put my money one the Palama Scorpions before the Farrington Govs.
Another 1% turnout for post high school players.
Too much politics. Head coach should have been gone long time ago. Every year settling for “almost” making it to or through playoffs. They got a lot of weapons on the team but just doesn’t know how to use them. Sad…and what’s the deal with using 2 QB’s? I agree both kids are talented but, they need to choose one. How can a QB get into rhythm with his offense if he’s being rotated every 2 plays? We already know that the 1st play is a run and also the 2nd play. Maybe throw on the 3rd play. What other team in the state rotates 2 QB’s as starters? Who does that? Change is now!
@the red sea
?????????????
@Aku Bird, well Olomua of Mililani is their stud lb. He has carrying the ball for Mil. Thus no time on D. But Farrington D will swallow him, so really, just play D to stop Faamatau! Answer your ???. Also no other team in the world with a mascot of The Governor! Go Govs.