It’s not often that the season opener has major playoff implications, but that is exactly the case Friday night when Konawaena hosts Kamehameha in a battle of Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division II contenders.
The three-time defending BIIF Division II champion Wildcats come in with high expectations for the season but have questions to answer on both sides of the ball. Konawaena knocked off state runner-up Kauai High School 14-6 in its only preseason action.
Kamehameha’s preseason game against Kalaheo was canceled because of Tropical Storm Iselle, so the 2014 edition of the Warriors come in untested. However, the Warriors can find solace in quarterback Micah Kanehailua, who is entering his third year as the starter and is hungry for a BIIF title.
Here is what to look for in the matchup:
Konawaena in focus
Brandon Howes was a very productive quarterback for the Wildcats last season, throwing for more than 20 touchdowns and nearly 3,000 yards. He proved to be a winner and anytime you have a quarterback as productive as he was, it will be tough to replace. The Wildcats are employing a two-quarterback system with Cameron Howes and Shelton Grace, so simplifying will be key.
There wasn’t much offense in the preseason game against Kauai, but field conditions were not ideal and the Wildcats had 17 players out with academic ineligibility.
Against Kamehameha, the quarterbacks will have to step up, but they will get help from an established running game, led by returning All-BIIF running back Bubba Ellis-Noa.
Against Kauai, Konawaena ran inside zones with Ellis-Noa, and then some quick tosses and sweeps outside to quick players including Luca Vartic. Bubble screens to Vartic and slip screens to Ellis-Noa should also be completions for the quarterbacks and give the team’s athletes a chance to make a play in open space.
On defense, the Wildcats will have to fill the void left by Makoa Chapa, the BIIF Division II Defensive Player of the Year who transferred to Saint Louis. It looks like the defensive front will be quick and tough again, led by Ellis-Noa — who was also an All-BIIF selection at linebacker last season — and the pass-rushing ability of Koa Basque. The secondary needs to step-up to stop Kanehailua, but will only be as good as the pass rush. If Kanehailua has time, it will be trouble for the Wildcats.
Kamehameha in focus
Teams tend to show a big improvement from Game 1 to Game 2. The fact that Kamehameha comes in without having played a preseason game puts them at a disadvantage.
While not much is known about how the Warriors will look on the field, head coach Dan Lyons has been impressed with the senior leadership on his squad and thinks the intangibles are there for this to be a team that contends for the D-II title.
Having six returning starters on offense and three on defense is a plus for them. One of those returning starters is Kanehailua. He is an experienced quarterback who is comfortable in the pocket. He threw for 20 touchdowns last season and will need to be at his very best for Kamehameha to have a chance to win.
The Warriors biggest challenge will come on the defensive side of the ball.
Konawaena keys to victory
The Wildcats have to run the football effectively and be able to capitalize on that success with play-action. If they execute well, it should be completions for whoever is at quarterback. If the Warriors start crowding the box, the Wildcats have the weapons to make them pay.
The best thing for these young, inexperienced quarterbacks is that they become more game managers and minimize errors. Both have their strengths, so they will be given opportunities to see who has the hot hand.
The defense will have to step up in coverage and the front seven will have to force some bad throws from the usually consistent Kanehailua.
Kamehameha keys to victory
The passing game is what the Warriors hang their hat on. Kanehailua will have to be on target and his receivers will have to make plays.
With the departure of Ina Teofilo, the Warriors will have to find a back, or multiple backs, they can rely on to start up a respectable rushing attack. A running game should open up the passing lanes and keep the Wildcats honest.
On defense, Kamehameha will have to stick to the philosophy of stopping the run first.
Konawaena brings a diverse running game and will be looking to get the ball into Vartic’s hands, usually on a fly sweep or a screen pass. The quarterbacks, Howes and Grace, have also shown the ability to break off big runs, so the Warriors will have a big test early in the season to see how the run defense looks under new coordinator Derek Kalai.
Matchup to watch
Konawaena offensive line vs. Kamehameha’s defense
Games are won and lost in the trenches and Konawaena head coach Cliff Walters is confident in his offensive line unit, even calling this the best collection of talent he has had during his tenure at the school. The unit will have a chance to live up to that billing Friday against a Kamehameha defensive unit looking to set the tone for the season.
Wildcats X-factor: Field goal unit
All-State kicker John Replogle made the Wildcats a potent threat to put up three points and his ability was the difference in some games.
In a battle of two top teams, it could come down from a kick, but Replogle is no longer on the roster. If the Wildcats do have a kicking game, it has yet to be shown. Howes went 0-2 on his extra point attempts against Kauai.
Kamehameha X-factor: Running game
The Warriors had a big, reliable back last year in Teofilo. If Konawaena has to respect the Warriors running game, it will make it easier for Kanehailua to go to work.
Without an established running back, the Warriors will have to find a guy — or a group of guys — who can take over that role.
Having returning All-BIIF offensive lineman Kelii Montibon and returning starters Joyden Madriaga and Pono Davis should help open some running lanes.