Chalk talk with Paps: Waiakea-Konawaena highlights weekend slate of games

Konawaena (1-1 BIIF, 2-1 overall) and Waiakea (1-1 BIIF, 1-3) appear to be trending in different directions entering Saturday’s Big Island Interscholastic Federation inter-divisional matchup at Julian R. Yates Field.

The Wildcats dominated Keaau on both sides of the ball and racked up 503 yards of offense on the way to a 36-7 win last weekend, bouncing back from a rare BIIF D-II loss to Kamehameha in its season opener.

Waiakea is coming off a disappointing 35-29 loss to Honokaa, the Dragons first win in more than a year.

The Warriors’ win came against Keaau, a common opponent for the two squads. Waiakea put on a similar performance as Konawaena, rushing for 367 yards in a 33-8 season-opening victory.

Here’s what to watch for in the matchup:

Konawaena in focus

Konawaena comes in confident after the bounce back win at Keaau, but it was a game the Wildcats were expected to win, even without key playmakers Luca Vartic and Cameron Howes.

The Wildcats have to be happy with their depth. Playmakers stepped up against the Cougars when called upon — some expected, some not.

Bubba Ellis-Noa went down early with cramps, but Tate “Baba” Hing, Koa Basque and Algene Kelekolio all carried the ball effectively against the Cougars. Kelekolio — who had not recorded a single carry entering the matchup — racked up 180 yards on 19 carries. Konawaena finished the game with 381 yards on the ground.

Last week, Shelton Grace played the first full game of the season for a Wildcat quarterback, filling in for a suspended Cameron Howes, who had seen the majority of snaps this campaign. Grace finished 8 of 16 for 122 yards, two touchdowns — one rushing — and an interception.

Howes will likely be back from suspension this week, and combine with Grace, giving the Wildcats more weapons on the outside, since both also play wide receiver when not at QB.

Jake Unger and Torin Tuppein were battling for a defensive end spot early in the season, but both have been big contributors for Konawaena on defense. The duo has combined for five sacks in three games so far.

As the Wildcats look forward to the BIIF’s two-game playoffs, game experience helps everybody. Depth is always a plus, especially at a school where a handful of players have to play both ways.

Waiakea in focus

Waiakea’s 1-3 overall record is indicative of its youth and inexperience.

The Warriors had a hard time dealing with the smash-mouth running game of Honokaa and will have to deal with a steady dose of ground game again against Konawaena.

Offensively, Waiakea has been able to establish a run game, mostly through the play of junior running back Pono Auwae. A big offensive line, led by transfer Mafu Tei and returning All-BIIF selection Zach Devela lead the way.

Waiakea was a good running team last year with BIIF Co-Offensive Player of the Year Devin Preston running the ball. Auwae is a smaller back, and can get lost behind a big offensive line. In just two regular-season BIIF games, Auwae has rushed for 328 yards.

Auwae left the game against Honokaa with an injury, and it is not known if he will suit up against Konawaena in a non-divisional game. If Auwae is out, Joe Ongais and Safune Wilson are among five other backs Waiakea has who can carry the ball.

The success of Waiakea’s running game has opened up some opportunities through the air. Last week, Warriors quarterback Bryce Felipe was just 8 of 28 for 176 yards — 22 yards per completion average — for three touchdowns and two interceptions. Felipe has a penchant for hitting on long, momentum swinging touchdown strikes. Against Honokaa, the Warriors scored on passes of 51, 40 and 21 yards.

Last year, the offense was heavily skewed toward the run. Head coach Moku Pita is looking for balance, and while he may not be getting a 50/50 split, the Warriors are a lot closer than last season and are keeping opponents’ defenses more off balance.

While the offense has put up 62 points in two games, the defense has to slow down opponents’ scoring. Honokaa scored a whopping 28 points in the first quarter. With a run-heavy offense, Waiakea does not want to be chasing opponents.

The Warriors are still alive and well in the Division I race, and staying out of the fourth spot and avoiding playing the No. 1 seed in the first round of the playoffs will be key.

Konawaena keys to victory

The Wildcats have shown they can establish a running game but have yet to demonstrate a balanced attack. Konawaena needs to continue honing the abilities of the offensive skill positions, and open up the offense with new elements.

On offense, both quarterbacks have to get timely completions, minimize unforced errors and use their running ability. Although he was not needed, Grace had just six carries for 5 yards against Keaau. Howes — an All-BIIF wide receiver in 2013 — is the speedier option at QB.

Despite a loss to an upward-trending Honokaa team, Waiakea has been able to score points in bunches (31 PPG average in BIIF regular season). Konawaena’s defense is going to have to key on the running backs and stop Waiakea’s go-to run plays. If the running game gets going, it will open up the playbook for Waiakea.

Waiakea keys to victory

The Warriors need to stifle Konawaena’s big plays, and start out strong. Waiakea gave up big points early and 327 yards on the ground. The running game keeps the Konawaena offense going. Holding on to the football and sustaining drives may be the best defense for Waiakea.

The defensive backfield is talented with Joe Alvarez, Auwae and Zac Correa — who led the league last season with 10 interceptions, including three for pick-six scores — but it won’t matter if the Konawaena backs are having their way with the defense.

On offense, don’t fix what isn’t broken. The Warriors’ running backs have been good but will have to be at the top of their game to beat the Wildcats.

The passing game needs to pick its spots and capitalize with big plays. It makes it tougher to run against a quality opponent when the passing game can’t get going. Konawaena’s corners are good, but Waiakea can look for mismatches with its interchangeable slots/running backs on linebackers.

Konawaena X-factor:

Faith in numbers

As a coach, it is a pleasant surprise to see a guy you didn’t expect run for 181 yards. Finding the back with the hot hand will be key and the Wildcats cannot be afraid to spread the ball around to find out who has it.

Ellis-Noa played late in the game against Keaau, but having a group of reliable backs could aid in giving the two-way All-BIIF selection some rest and help him be at his maximum potential at middle linebacker.

Waiakea X-factor:

Confidence

Does Waiakea have the confidence to stick with Konawaena, a team that has asserted its dominance in the BIIF the past three seasons?

Waiakea is a young team, but the players now have four games under their belt. This will be a measuring stick game for Waiakea. If they can do well against Konawaena, who knows where the Warriors will go from there?

Matchup to watch

Waiakea’s Offensive line vs. Konawaena front-seven

It’s not about size or weight, but about heart and effort. Konawaena’s front seven puts in a whole lot of both, but also produces on the stat sheet. The embodiment of this is linebacker Tate “Baba” Hing (5-5, 185 pounds) who had eight tackles and two sacks, in addition to his offensive contributions (nine carries, 59 yards and a TD), against Keaau.

The Waiakea offensive line has to be dominant and slow down the defense. The Wildcats have speed rushers and a core of talented linebackers. This will be the Warriors’ big guys’ toughest test thus far.

OTHER BIIF ACTION

Kealakehe (2-0, 2-1) at Kamehameha (1-1, 1-1)

The Waveriders offensive unit needs to show up against Kamehameha with an identity. Led by Riggs Kurashige and Ini Paio, the running game has been decent, but the quarterback play has been nonexistent. The defense and special teams — specifically the punt return team — have played solid, but this will be the team’s biggest challenge in the BIIF so far.

Kamehameha is coming in angry and determined. The Warriors gave away a game against Hilo, not capitalizing on eight turnovers and blowing a halftime lead to let Hilo squeak out a 27-20 overtime win.

Despite a .500 BIIF record, Kamehameha has faced the defending BIIF Division I and II champions on the road in back-to-back weeks. Now, the Warriors are at home on its familiar turf field. Three-year starting QB Micah Kanehailua will have a chance to build on his 26 of 48 for 271 yards, two-touchdown, two-interception performance against Hilo.

HPA (0-2, 1-3) at Keaau (0-2, 0-2)

Ka Makani did a lot of things right against Kealakehe, but were unable to get the victory. Quarterback/defensive back Koa Ellis and tight end/defensive end Nicky Palleschi are the catalysts for HPA and will have to get in rhythm early on the road. But against a Keaau team that allowed 381 yards a week ago against Konawaena, could one of HPA’s backs break the game open?

Keaau has been outscored 29 to 102 in the regular season but needs to learn from the lopsided losses continue to get better each week.

Hilo (2-0, 3-0) at Honokaa (1-1, 1-1)

Hilo comes into the Dragons’ lair as the favorite but will have to deal with a quickly improving Honokaa squad with a hometown crowd backing them.

First-year head coach Morgan “Hana” Hanohano is trying to change the culture around the Honokaa program, and a win against defending Division I champion Hilo at home would go a long way in doing that.

It will be a physical game, matching up Honokaa’s smash-mouth style against Hilo’s aggressive defense.

Hilo running back Tristin Spikes is looking to stay on track after a 132-yard, one-touchdown performance, and quarterback Sione Atuekaho is looking to bounce back after throwing four interceptions last week.

Editor’s note: This is a part of a series of articles that will run during the BIIF football season, breaking down games of the week with Sam Papalii, a longtime college and high school football coach.