It took a half of scoreless play, but Konawaena (1-0) rode an aggressive defense and solid play from a cast of offensive players to a 14-6 win against Kauai Interscholastic Federation opponent Kauai High School (0-1) at Julian R. Yates Field Saturday.
The three-time defending Division II Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion Wildcats and the state runner-up Red Raiders are touted as two of the top D-II programs in the state, and Saturday’s preseason matchup was a good gauge for both squads.
“We want tough opponents. We want to test our mettle against a team that was the runner-up at the state level to see where we are at,” said Konawaena head coach Cliff Walters before the game. “It’s the preseason. There is plenty you can learn from a win, and maybe even more from a loss.”
A test for Konawaena this year will be filling the void left by departed All-BIIF quarterback Brandon Howes, who is now at Pacific University.
Brandon’s brother, Cameron Howes, took the majority of snaps in the matchup, but split time with senior Sheldon Grace.
The duo led Konawaena to 262 total yards, 89 through the air and 173 on the ground.
Howes finished 5 for 6 for 56 yards. Bubba Ellis-Noa was the go-t0 back for the Wildcats, rushing for 67 yards yards on 12 carries.
Torin Tuppein led the way on defense, racking up five tackles and two sacks in the second half. Markus Banagan had five tackles and two assists and Kevin Medeiros added seven tackles.
The story of the matchup, however, may have been what was not on the field. Head coach Cliff Walters said the Wildcats were missing 17 players Saturday because of academic probation.
“Our numbers have been decimated,” he said. “It will be a different team that will take the field two weeks from now than what we had here tonight.”
Among the 17 sidelined, Walters said 11 would have played a significant role in the game plan. Konawaena has another grade-check this week to learn who they will have back for the start of the regular season.
Despite the scoreless, rainy first half, both teams tested the red zone.
Kauai started the game off with a bang when running back Jhustin Balisacan took the first snap 50-plus yards to the Konawaena 25.
The Red Raiders were helped by multiple penalties to sustain the opening drive, managing to get down to the 5-yard-line. But the Wildcats defense rose to the occasion, which became a theme of the game, turning the Red Raiders away without scoring.
Konawaena opened the game with a promising drive of its own, using the duo of Howes and Grace. The drive stalled after the Wildcats attempted to convert on the second fourth down.
The teams traded field position and knocked off some preseason rust with a few gaffs, but played the majority of the game in the middle of the field. With the rain coming down and most yards coming on the ground, the aggressive defenses won out.
The rain let up as the teams exited the field for the half, tied 0-0. Konawaena finished the first half with 65 yards rushing, and just 22 through the air.
Konawaena came out of the break with renewed energy and drove down the field with a mix of Grace, Howes and Tate “Baba” Hing.
The Wildcats were stuffed at the 3-yard-line three times, but they opted to go for it on fourth down. Grace bobbled the snap and jumped on the ball behind the line of scrimmage, ending the drive.
However, sticking Kauai deep in its own end of the field paid off. Aaron Renaud took a snap in his own end zone and faced the immediate pressure of Ellis-Noa. Reynaud fumbled and the ball rolled out of the end zone for a safety.
Konawaena followed up the safety with another drive deep into Kauai territory. Howes hit Medeiros with a swing pass to the 3-yard-line, and Ellis-Noa capped the drive with a plunge into the end zone.
Kauai held Konawaena to third-and-long, but an improvised pitch from Ellis-Noa opened a lane for a Wildcat runner to pick up the first down. On the next play, Howes hit Grace with a strike on a slant to make it 14-0.
The Red Raiders scored on a blocked punt with under a minute left, but Konawaena recovered the onside kick, effectively ending the game.
Konawaena opens the BIIF season Aug. 29 at home against Kamehameha.