Kahuku’s convincing 39-14 victory over Saint Louis for the state Division I championship helped the Red Raiders move up 90 spots to No. 24 in the MaxPreps national computer rankings released Sunday.
The Red Raiders capped their 13-0 season on Friday at Aloha Stadium. They could go up or down from there, depending on how other top teams across the country fare as their seasons wind down.
The Crusaders fell 77 spots to No. 113.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s Top 10 from last week with new national rank (in parentheses) and movement in the national poll (plus or minus) follows.
The Star-Advertiser’s new poll, which will, obviously, reflect Kahuku as the season’s final No. 1 team in Hawaii, will be published in the Tuesday edition.
1. Saint Louis (No. 114) ———— minus-77
2. Kahuku (No. 24) ———— plus-90
3. Punahou (No. 240) ———— minus-103
4. Mililani (No. 299) ———— plus-41
5. Kamehameha (No. 536) ———— minus-135
6. Waianae (No. 1,146) ———— plus-221
7. Farrington (No. 1,574) ———— plus-311
8. Kapaa (No. 3,349) ———— minus-681
9. Radford (No. 2,403) ———— plus-819
10. Baldwin (No. 3,579) ———— minus-67
By request of a few RR4Ls I am here to say I was dead wrong about the final. I am man enough to admit when I am wrong. And, in this case I was dead wrong. Kahuku was hands down the most dominant team in the state this year. Yes, I took shots against their caveman ways, and boy did they show me a thing or two.
Although, I will stand by the comments I made that Kahuku should improve their passing. Instead of run to pass ratio of 95:5, maybe something more along the lines of 70:30. Yes, the run is their bread and butter, and obviously they just won da koa trophy. But, guess what as more recruits make their way to Kalaepohaku da Crusaders are gonna get stronger. And, I don’t need to remind all the RR4L that during our dynasty years when Kahuku was only running they could not beat us. So, they need to open their playbook. I can assure you that those are not the plays Stanford runs. At least not 95% of the time they’re not.
Also, the very common saying right now is “defense wins championships.” You’re right. This year that was true. But, what about last year? Punahou beat Kahuku in states. And, then had an offensive shootout losing to Mililani. Mililani was better in defense last year, but they were still an offensive powerhouse. As was Punahou. Now, before the haters say last year’s coach sucked, etc. Kahuku was nevertheless a defensive team last year. So, last year “defense wins championships” would have been false.
Next topic: OIA > ILH, or ILH > OIA? Interesting topic to debate as usual. Here are rankings according to how playoffs/regular season played out.
OIA 1 Kahuku > ILH 1 Saint Louis
OIA 2 Mililani ? ILH 2 Punahou. We will never know. However, Punahou did play us closer in all 3 matchups, and my opinion are the superior team.
OIA 3 Waianae ILH, I do not see how you could make that argument. Only KHS > STL I would agree with that.
Lastly, any RR4L know if Tapusoa is getting any offers? Da buggah is small, but he not scared. He deserves D1 offers IMHO. Once again, shoutout to Kahuku Red Raiders, 2015 State Champions. Boys deserved it. Hopefully we gonna get rematch next year.
Respect my braddah, respect. We ultimately have the last laught but at the very least you showed up…props. I cannot speak for my fellow keyboard Red Raiders but I can respect anyone who can admit they was wrong. Until next year…
First of all I want OC16 to know how much the RR nation appreciate their continual television broadcasts so that all our alumni and fans worldwide can tune in to the games. Yes we are worldwide because just like the strong influence of Mormon missionaries spreading religion on the north shore we as Kahuku Alumni continually convert families friends and strangers into the Red Raider Nation and our Football culture, add some Aloha and Poly love and you know its FOR LIFE. If you were at the game Friday night you witnessed something special and amazing and yes more of our non-alumni friends became converted.
I dont mean to be a complainer but considering the way football has changed and gone away from the vicious hits and sticks, the spread offenses and flag football style is here to stay, along with that Hawaii will continue to produce top College and NFL talented Quarterbacks. This year Milton, the Tagovailoa brothers and others continue to impress. I wish them the best in their futures. However, my complaint has to do with OC16 announcers particularly Hernandez and Veneri. For some reason and because of their television power, they start the belief that just because Kahukus offense is not flashy that some how our opponents lose the game rather then Kahuku winning it.
Just because these elite QB’s shred other teams and look good doing it, all of a sudden when facing Kahuku passes are thrown short, interceptions start to add up, yet these announcerz continue to play the IF game. IF HE THREW IT JUST 2 YARDS FURTHER IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A TD! Do they know we have 4 former red raiderz playing defense in the NFL right now, not to mention a handful more in the past. Maybe these announcers should consider that these high school QB’s are facing an NFL caliber Kahuku defense. Ill tell you now that there are 3 players on this years defense that could make it to the NFL. On the flip side Have these annoncers ever thought about Kahukus running back being just one block away from breaking a long run to the Endzone ? No!
This is why RR Nation feel like no respect is given to us especially these Oc16 announcers who think they know a thing or two about football but keep sounding ridiculous, and it all starts with them because when I go into work on Mondays I hear my co-workers repeating things from OC16. Hernandez is very knowledgable and articulate but I think the small levels of bias shows because he has a foot in both arenas (coaching and announcing). He should focus on just one of these professions because he is good at both but I think he can become great at only one. Much respect and admiration for the aforementioned announcers, just needed to provide constructive feedback.
oh, and like I said a few months ago, rankings dont mean a thing. 24th in the nation means nothing. Every team plays for 1st place and in Hawaii we got it. its not a rank, its a title and we gladly accept the title of CHAMPION this year and hope to defend it next year.
@AOK thanks for your concession that Kahuku is good, even the most dominate team this year.
Regarding last years Kahuku team, their defense was very good. Punahou only had 13 points, and 7 was on the opening kick off return the other 6 were field goals (no offensive TD’s on Kahuku). So, yes they were stingy and did well. But now that you mention last years team…On the offensive side, if they had switched to this “caveman” offense then they may have done even better.
Thank you for the humble acknowledgement, now I’m waiting for EwaEwa to come out and say something. He the main one talking like we needed to “change” our caveman offense and that we couldn’t “bully” our way through the playoffs. Now he/she acting like he/she was going for Kahuku all along. You one of the dumbest fans out there. Even talking about our football IQ. well it must be up there because you don’t win 8 state championships with no offensive IQ. And Punahou and St’ Louis must not have a great IQ because their offense has been shut down. Even Mililani couldn’t score. So now just keep your mouths shut. We undefeated, state champs, and did it by going against everything you said we had to do. We ran the ball, and stayed strong on defense. Dueces.
letÊ»s kick a field goal so we can move up in the ranking…. not brotherhood, pay backs a bitch….7 seconds & you kick a FG, tell about that… Sad
Da Red Raider Nation indeed spans world wide, it’s one thing to watch the games on tv! But there is nothing close to being there and witness with your own eyes, how a community and friends and family can rally together and support our boys, I for one was happy and fortunate to make the 5,000 mile journey home to watch the game. Now as I’m making my journey back and freezing my coconuts! Lol! Just wanna say congrats to da boys on a good season and let you guys know that the Red Raider does indeed span da globe..
Go Big Red!!!
So the Head coach for Kahuku is a St. Louis Alum and called the shots to do the pregame Haka and kick the 07 sec field goal, which you consider classless. Then after the game the original Legend himself, St. Louis’s Cal Lee walks off the field and neither him nor his assistant coaches come to accept the second place trophy, classless. Then some of the St. Loius kids that did have class to stay on the field to congratulate the Red Raiders return to their locker room to find that the team was gone already so they had to find their own rides home from the stadium.
Classless everywhere!
The early season QB injuries might have been a blessing to Kahuku. It move the offensive brain thrust towards the smashmouf. By season end, it was good,but not perfect. Each week with film, the coaches tweaked it. Take a smart patient RB like Ah Hoy to run it. You don’t need big yards, only 3.5. If a big play happens,great. Minimal fumbles. On the defensive side. Wow! Usually Kahuku D has several 280 lbs anchors on the line. Not this year, lean and fast. The blitz package and disguises were high level plays. The defensive coaches (Tata) really worked this kids hard. Tua probably will be studying game film on this one during the off season. Here he had exposure to college level defense. He will learn and become a better QB because of it. Finally let’s get down to the coach. Vavae Tata. He jumps into the scene, into a position that have seen tumultuous times from team disqualifications to community uproar, thru the release of a popular coach/alumni and hiring of a mainland outsider. This and with several issues from his college release, oh and he graduated from St.Louis? Wow, the NS community was watching with intense eyes. But as the season trudged on and the wins kept coming, some doubts were extinguished. When I saw the 14-0 on the back of his Championship shirt, and counted the teams he beat, I said hey it’s 13-0! Lol.,the last win was the heart of the community. Coach Tata, Coach of the Year.
@AOK THE REASON WHY PUNAHOU WON CAUSE COACH ANE PAID THE REF TO HAVE KAHUKI LOOSE. THE REASON I KNOW I HAVE MY FAMILY WHO HAS CONNECTION TO THE OIA. THEY SAID COACH ANE PAID THE OIA AND THE REF TO HAVE KAHUKU LOOSE. WE ALL KNOW AND SEEN WITH OUR OWN MF EYES HOWNTHE REFF CALL BACK TWO GOOD TD, SO GO SOMEWHERE WITH YOUR BS. AND STOP TALKING ABOUT KAHUKI AND WHAT THEY NEED TO DO. THATS WHY WE HAVE A COACH THAT TOOK US TO STATES AND WON. MAYBE YOU CAN TAKE YOUR LITTLE ADVISE AND USE IT TO COACH YOUR KIDS OR YOURSELF. TAKE CARE N GOD BLESS ALL THE HATERS
Defense wins Championships EVERY year.
You would think last year the best O won. Even in a shootout, the team that gets the most stops or a timely stop is the one that wins. No matter what style you play you need to get stops. This is shown in all sports at all levels.
NOBODY gave Kahuku a chance especially after what St Louis did to Mililani. I’m sure a lot of people lost a lot of money.
No matter how good of a QB you are, if you get pressured you become mortal. Even Tom Brady.
ENOUGH TALKING ABOUT WHAT KAHUKU SHOULD OF DONE N WHAT THEY NEED TO DO. NOBODY NEEDS ANYONE OPINION. OUR BOYS DID AN AWSOME JOB THEY BEAT EVER OPPONENT N BEAT ST LOUIS. OUR RUNNING GAME N DEFENSE DID THAT. LET THE BOYS AND OUR COMMUNITY ENJOY IT N QUIT BRINGING IN YOUR 2CENTS
It is what it is… Kahuku Red Raider’s 2015 Hawaii Football D1 State Champions!! ENOUGH SAID, RR4L, live with it you haters!!
@AOK
The Punahou game as stated was bs. I don’t care if we lost but we should not have lost like that. Calling a PI on us that was clearly clean, then right after that not calling an offensive PI which was EXTREMELY OBVIOUS right in front the ref. That would have made it a 60 yd fg attempt. Even the paper wrote about it the next day. I give credit to Punahou’s kicker for making it from 45, that ain’t easy.
What made it tough to swallow was our boys, especially the defense was playing their hearts out, and to loss like that, was frustrating.
@ AOK – When St Louis was making their runs during the Prep Bowl era, they were doing it with 19 year old Seniors. 1999, the playing field was leveled after eliminating 19yr olds, and St Louis is now 5-1 against Kahuku in the State Finals. Kahuku has half of the state titles in the championship era.
In each of the title championships, 95% of the teams were “one dimensional”. Kahuku players are made for the run, and that’s what Coach Tata finally realized. So they decided to stick to Kahuku’s DNA. A smart coach will utilize what he has and not try to be like other schools who “look flashy”. With 8 of the 16 state titles, being one dimensional might be just what St Louis needs to win more state titles LOL
In put any coach in and the Kahuku player will make you look good. I’m not saying they’ll win states all the time but you’ll at least have a winning season lol. Kahuku has ballers so no matter who you put in there, the athletes will make you look good.
Can anyone tell me on 3rd down, what the “money sign” means? I just started yelling to support our defense…but the Champioship game was my first live game. I loved it but even those around me couldn’t explain. I mean we all stood up and did it too…
Congrats to the Kahuku team! I don’t know if I agree with the Haka before the game though…. I’m just trying to understand the message that the coach was sending to the kids… It’s okay to purposely break a rule? So long as no one gets hurt it’s okay? From an AD or School Administrator position, I would look deeper into this. No respect for rules will eventually turn into no respect for laws. Couldn’t if have been done way earlier? I don’t recall this tradition being done 30 or so years ago in similar fashion. In any case, the boys did an awesome job! I just would like to see students, coaches, parents, and fans oblige to rules that are established. Accidents are one thing…. but this haka was no accident.
@J
The Haka was always meant to be done towards the opponent before the game. Refs made the rule so that teams wouldn’t taunt each other and get into before the game. Is the haka taunting? Everyone will have their own opinion. Personally I’m ok with it.
@j. It’s just a game. Relax. Dont compare the laws and games. Breaking he law will put you behind prison. Breaking a rule in a GAME (HAKA) 15 yards. They are not idiots! Idiots like you will post here instead of taking it elsewhere as an AD.
My bad… you right. It’s just a game. That Haka rule… it’s okay to break or ignore it.
@J
Stop being a Poor Sport. I’m sure this will be addressed to Coach Tata and the administration. Just take your holier than thou attitude and jam. Sorry if you Mr. Perfect and never ran one stop light, always run the speed limit, and keep every rule in every game you’ve ever played. Hypocrite. If the roles were reversed, you wouldn’t be here complaining.
Ever seen the end of a basketball game where they foul to stop the clock? Does that mean those players will end up in prison one day for following a pattern of knowingly breaking the rules? Lol strategy and gamesmanship nothing more nothing less
@good story 3rd down is where you cash your checks from a hard week of work! Get that stop and get that $$$$$
Congratulations to ST LOUIS ALUMNI for winning this year!
@j. They did break the rule and was penalized for it. It wasn’t ignored. Please make sure you don’t J walk or I will give you a ticket…lol..
@Homegrown
Das good enuff for me, mahalos
with that…. the DB for STL should have been allowed to play… they did get penalized.
He should have..l know the family. Felt bad for him…what’s your point? Sound like you barking up the wrong tree.
@Chaddap Im right here boy…so chadup yo mouf se keste! I need to make no apologies because MY team won, yup reppin class of 87 baby RR4L. Motivation was all it took to get us over the top and thats what I did, I seen your balony screenshot post on Code red about what I said and it worked to perfection, the players fans and coaches took that and used it as fuel to work hard and play with a chip on their shoulder.
Se I was sitting right behind hangman waving his flag doing the chop all night long baby! Das how we do! Smashmouf caveman style but with a smart coach that had a master plan! still doe I would like to see a balanced less smashing style next year, Our boys do have the rest of their lives ahead of them and they need their brains to not have CTE in order to think and excel in their post-football careers.
@fan1, It was our kickers last game of his high school career. Sasaoka missed his previous one so it was only fair to let him go out with another try. If St. Louis didn’t want that to happen I guess their defense should have kept them out of FG range. What if you were on the 1yrd line with 7 seconds to go. Would you take a knee? The offense earned that field position and we play to put points on the board and the game isn’t over until the clock reads 00:00. Sasaoka earned his right all season to kick that last field goal.
I think rejecting the 2nd place trophy and walking off the field before the State Champion trophy was given was the “sad” part. Not the field goal.
Love kahuku, but I didnt like the fans doing the tomahawk chop during the introduction of a longtime hhsaa rep, then the haka during the coin toss and the money sign on big defensive plays. Other then that tata got his wish of a complete game because they were firing on all cylinders.
The “Haka” represents tradition man!
You’re for sure one panty if you crying about Kahuku’s “Haka”. Listen to these bananas, “oh, that’s breaking the rules.” Who are these people? Makes me sick I’m breathing the same air as these people.
Get a life!
……. Who on earth cares who’s doing the tomahawk chop!? What is this? You can’t be serious.
@gobigreds friend! SHUDDAP ALREADY! Always being negative and gotta get your dig in. Too bad you are a scrub. Lmao RRFL
In my opinion, Our red raiders was about to come out of the tunnel and we wanted to get them fired up for the big game.. we had no idea, some one was getting recognized… So on behalf of red raider nation, I would like to apologize for that..#2. The Haka… In my opinion, Our boys showed ST.LOUIS that we weren’t intimidated by what they did to mililani the week before..I think the whole state thought St.Louis was going to pound red raider nation. . But not Red raider nation, we don’t get intimidated, we come harder..That’s how we play.. Our boys showed us that from the very first game… I’m sorry,but not sorry for that penalty.. They fired the Nation aka 12th man up.. We feed off each other… GO BIG RED…
@ILH,GO BIG RED’S FWAM, LEE BOY… MUST BE HARD TO EAT SAIMIN FOR THANKSGIVING… BROKEN POCKETS COURTESY OF THE TRUE NATION ( RED RAIDER NATION )…LOL…
No apologies needed sir…
Was a brilliant idea by Tata and Ha’o to perform “Haka”. Who cares what people think? If people don’t care in Auckland, Sydney, Suva, Nukualofa and London, why should anyone care here?
It spooked the Saints ’cause they were on roller skates the whole game.
Goodnite
I like the “Haka” and respect that its a culture that they’ve been doing it forever… but to be honest, i don’t remember them doing it pre-2000’s at the games. In any case, it’s now a rule… and one could interpret it to be disrespecting the other team and/or the HHSAA league for that matter. Maybe that’s the purpose? As I read in a response above, “Who cares what people think”…. maybe that’s where we’re heading nowadays. I can just imagine coaching young pop warner players…. telling them it’s okay to not follow that rule…. so go ahead and give em the “Haka”.
@EwaEwa u killing me lol. Can’t blame me. Ur bipolar Ness had everyone going. And yes it worked. Yes this is Mike Heffernan, glad my brother went out a champ. You not the one Jerry said had three names are you?
@EwaEwa try include me in the game next time geez
Kahukuz D was on point!!! Dylan Toilolo.. next big name to come out of the 808 state and he’s only a sophmore!!! Sucks that high school football is all done!!!
Hey “J”-
If maybe someone might be interpreting it as disrespect might not be good enough to cancel the “Haka”.
Polynesians are finally starting to gain a stronghold in prep, college and NFL. Then comes the tradition everyone’s talking about.
Was wondering why you take such a strong stance on rules, regulations, and uniformity? The officials are doing a good enough job throwing chicken sh+* flags everywhere. The HHSaa regents and reps are doing a good enough job demeaning our local boys. Bringing in new chicken sh** rules and regulations. We don’t care about post game trophy ceremonies, or what HHsaa officials aren’t being respected or are retiring. We’re paying their damn salaries and pensions.
Whatd’ya mean you didn’t see the Haka in the pre 2000’s? In the pre-2000’s there wasn’t such penalties as “Horsecollar tackles, “defenseless receivers”, and “targeting”.
Listen Bub, if you’re such a goody two shoes on the “haka” subject, maybe soccers a better sport for you pal.
Get Real!
Hey FL…. was haka done before each game back in the 70’s to 90’s? I don’t recall seeing it done then…. but then again… it must’ve or it wouldn’t be considered culture.
Like i said…. i’m in favor for the Haka…. just the timing is where i think it went wrong. Maybe it could be done before the game in the locker room…. or maybe after game when opponent gone. Doing in front of the other team is like a show… and in a way telling them FU. I read where someone said that they did it to show that Kahuku wasn’t intimidated as to how STL beat Mililani. Who said Kahuku should be intimidated by that? Intimidation don’t work… unless you are ISIS and I’m in the middle east separated from the platoon and captured by you.
J, it’s usually done after the game facing our home crowd, but because all the hype leading up to this game and the disrespect Kahuku was getting (only undefeated team yet ranked 2nd, the media hype surrounding Stl. annihilation of Mills and what would happen to Kahuku in Championship game.) The boyz wanted to Send a message ……message sent!!!
Was STL disrespecting Kahuku for the #2 ranking? For that, I think it’s the media’s doing and not STL IMO. All my years in sports and coaching…. i tell the kids no pay attention to those kine stuff. Ranking don’t mean anything. But I guess some take those to heart. The message that the kids sent…. i got. In fact two point to take away: one, this year’s team is disrespectful for deliberately breaking the rule and doing it in a disrespectful way (this team is not a reflection of the community because I know that the people of Kahuku are very respectful). The second take away… the coaches and school administration condone the disrespectful action. I only say the second because i would like to think that if the coaches and admin wanted to stop this…they could. I think the kids would have listened to them and stopped.
Maybe it’s just me… but days of honor, respect, and humbleness are all gone. It’s all about me… and run the score up… and what rank are we now…. and trash talk everyone else. So sad to see where this sport is going.
Yup they broke the rule and got penalized 15 yds for it. Keywords they got penalized for it 15 yds. It set the tone for the rest of the game! What more would you want J?
So you judged the team on the pre game haka. Not the actual play during the game. I didn’t see any taunting at players or the crowd. No overboard celebration. No extra hitting going on after the whistle but the pre game haka defines this team. SMH.
What was disrespectfull and they didn’t get reprimanded was “Legendary ” coach Cal Leen not being present with his team to accept the 2nd place trophy.
i agree… it’s not just Kahuku, STL too. Only thing i would wish for is the game to continue to be played hard but with much more respect and honor for the opponent. As I mentioned, i think those days are gone. Society has evolved to where it is reflected in the games that are played. I couldn’t imagine that the games back when my grandpa or dad played… that it was played with hate for each other the way it is today. If it wasn’t for all the added drama, i think win or lose, spectators would both only talk positive about how well the game was.
Its football! You are trying to exert your will on another human being. You are saying to that person “I am stronger, tougher and meaner than you”. Whats up with all these sissy @$$ comments? You respect your opponent by knocking the living crap out of them! The Haka is done to challenge the opponent! To let them know that you are here to do battle! To go 100%! To leave everything on the field! To remind them that you are here to give your best win or lose! Its the opponents job to rise up to the challenge. Thats how you respect the game. Not this sissy “Oh they did the Haka and it disrespected the coin toss. Are you serious? The stupid coin toss? Not standing and singing the national anthem is disrespectful! Swearing during the game while in the presence of women and children is disrespectful! Should there be silence through out the stadium during the coin toss? Should the bands stop playing, fans stop cheering, no one go to the bathroom and food vendors stop selling food during the coin toss? You guys are idiots!!!
I respect your opinion… Respect is based on one’s belief. Just as you believe that those actions are not disrespectful. As I say, i respect your view. But in my upbringing or belief that they are disrespectful. Very similar to what at work may be considered sexual harrassment. A man may not think that hanging a sexy calendar with girls in bikinis at his work office space is not disrespectful… but a woman walking by may think it is. So, both are entitled to their opinions. But if i’m not mistaken, you should not base it on your opinion…. rather on the opinion of the other. I think the courts view it that way too…. i could be wrong though.
Sexual harassment and doing the Haka during the coin toss of a game is two very different things buddy. One is an illegal and degrading act that can cost you your job and or freedom. The other is a challenge to your opponent. Where the hell were you brought up?