For the first time since 2011, Moanalua will have a number next to its name entering a game.
And it’s the lowest number for Na Menehune ever.
After improving to 4-0 with a 23-10 win over then-No. 9 Leilehua on Friday night, Moanalua earns a No. 8 ranking in the the latest Honolulu Star-Advertiser Football Top 10 released today.
Since the debut of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser rankings in 2010, Moanalua has been ranked four times. Na Menehune climbed as high as ninth during a three-week stretch in the 2010 rankings and was No. 10 for a week in 2011.
Na Menehune was never ranked by the Honolulu Advertiser or Honolulu Star-Bulletin from 2001 to ’09.
Savai’i Eselu, a midseason contender for coach of the year, has his Na Menehune as one of five teams left undefeated this season.
Moanalua held Leilehua to minus-13 yards rushing with lead running back James McGary, who had rushed for 123 yards against Nanakuli and 223 yards against ‘Iolani in his first two games of the year, managing only 12 yards on eight carries.
No. 1 Saint Louis again receives all 10 first-place votes and Kahuku remains at No. 2 receiving nine of 10 first-place votes.
Punahou, which gets the other second-place vote, stays at No. 3 after losing 35-28 to the Crusaders.
Mililani jumps Campbell for the fourth spot after handing the Sabers their first loss in a one-sided 52-14 game. Campbell drops just one spot to No. 5.
Kamehameha holds onto the No. 6 spot after losing 24-7 to Kahuku, but saw its lead on No. 7 Lahainaluna dwindle to just two votes. The Lunas are undefeated this season along with Na Menehune, Saint Louis, Kauai and St. Francis.
The top seven teams were all ranked in the top seven by all 10 voters. Nos. 8-10 is where there is a healthy debate.
Seven other teams received votes, but ultimately, Moanalua was at No. 8 with Farrington, after it shut out Kapolei 13-0, jumping into the rankings at No. 9 and ‘Iolani at No. 10.
The Raiders, which held off previous-No. 10 Damien 30-19 on Saturday, finishes with one more vote than St. Francis and one less vote than the Governors.
The Saints (seven), Leilehua (five), Kapolei (four) and Kauai (one) were the teams left out who received at least one vote.
TOP 10 SCHEDULE
Friday, Sept. 21
No. 1 Saint Louis at Kapolei, 7:30 p.m.
No. 9 Farrington at No. 6 Kamehameha, 7:30 p.m.
Damien at No. 8 Moanalua, 7:30 p.m.
Radford at No. 10 ‘Iolani, 3:15 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 22
No. 3 Punahou at No. 5 Campbell, 6:30 p.m.
Waianae at No. 4 Mililani, 6:30 p.m.
Baldwin at No. 7 Lahainaluna, 7 p.m.
Honolulu Star-Advertiser Top 10
| FOOTBALL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Updated: 10/23 | ||
| RANK | SCHOOL | VOTES |
| 1. | Kahuku (10) | 100 |
| 2. | Miililani | 86 |
| 3. | Campbell | 81 |
| 4. | Punahou | 73 |
| 5. | Saint Louis | 53 |
| 6. | Kapolei | 50 |
| 7. | Konawaena | 40 |
| 8. | Farrington | 23 |
| 9. | Lahainaluna | 18 |
| 10. | Kamehameha | 8 |
My Top 6 this week (no point going past that). Pretty much the same except Puns and Kahuku. I know we beat Puns, but that was week 1 and a lot has happened since then. Puns looks a lot better, while Big Red…?
1- St L (undefeated, but showed weaknesses that can be exploited by the right game plan by Puns, Kahuku, or Millz)
2- Puns (Merry Christmas StL! More complete team than Big Red at this point)
3- Kahuku (Coaching needs to get their act together; losing Ah You can’t be understated)
4- Millz (Nice rebound, Big Red’s homecoming soon – should be a good one)
5- Campbell (That was a bad loss…but still just one loss. Learn and move on)
6- Kam (Solid, but like coach said – need to realize they can compete with upper teams – mental)
Kapolei and Farrington need to figure out who they’re gonna be and do that. Could still be factors in playoffs…maybe.
GREAT JOB MOANALUA!! KEEP YOUR EYEZ ON WHAT’S IN FRONT OF YOU. ONE DAY AT A TIME, ONE GAME AT A TIME!!
After St Louis, it’s a toss up between Big Red, Puns and Trojans.
Puns going to give cracks to the Sabers.
Farrington vs Kamehameha game looks to be interesting.
Big Red look’s to heal up and hopefully straighten stuff out before homecoming.
RRFL!!!
Moanalua looking solid everybody working together looking prime to take it all this year good luck!!! For the D1 teams one loss can rebound two losses there’s a fifty fifty chance three losses and the party’s over.:)
Is Ah You done for the season???? That’s HUGE!!!! I know Kahuku is “next man up,” but Miki is an animal.
…and you’re right, Punahou looked a lot better then what we saw week 1 against Big Red.
Miki Ah You is so vital to Big Red…he and Liufau from Punahou are the most impressive players in the State. TooMeke’s comment about the loss of Brian Ah Yat as QB coach is so true.