WAIMEA — Despite playing well this season, Hawaii Preparatory Academy has had trouble closing out tight games down the stretch.
HPA (2-3 BIIF, 3-4) left no doubts against Kamehameha (3-2, 3-2), rebounding from a slow start to take down the first place Warriors 39-28 in a Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division II matchup Saturday afternoon.
“It feels super good,” HPA quarterback/safety Koa Ellis said. “We worked hard this week and all the boys were ready to play. We were coming off a lot of hard, close losses, so we were ready to finish a game.”
Ka Makani head coach Jordan Hayslip echoed his quarterback’s sentiments.
“It was a total team win,” Hayslip said. “We have been playing well and in games late, but falling a little short. It feels great to come away with the win.”
Ellis was 14 of 32, passing for 198 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. The senior QB also added 46 yards rushing.
Alex Brost finished the game with 30 yards on the ground and added a receiving touchdown and a handful of tackles on defense for Ka Makani. That said, the multitalented junior contributed the most on special teams. Brost had four field goals, the longest from 42 yards. Tacking on PATs, Brost accounted for 21 points in the contest.
“Brost had a great game,” Hayslip said. “He came up big for us and is a very dependable guy.”
Kamehameha head coach Dan Lyons did not make any excuses for his team’s performance, despite having a dozen players out with academic issues and injuries.
“When we started this, we talked about taking steps towards a championship, and we knew it would not be easy. We knew there would be adversity,” Lyons said. “We made a lot of mistakes and gave them a lot of opportunities. We also had a lot of our own opportunities that we did not convert on. “
The Warriors struggled to hang onto the ball, putting it on the ground nine times in the Waimea rain. Four of those fumbles were lost — three inside their own 30-yard line.
“Our defense just came ready to play. Everyone executed well and followed through on their responsibilities,” Ellis said.
Kamehameha quarterback Micah Kanehailua went 12 for 30 for 205 yards, with a touchdown and an interception.
Kaeo Batacan and Chase Peneku split time running the ball, combining for 120 yards and three touchdowns for Kamehameha.
The Warriors got off to a quick start, with Kainalu Whitney taking a short Kanehailua pass 79 yards for a score on the Warriors’ second play from scrimmage.
After a three-and-out on HPA’s first possession, Kamehameha drove the ball with ease inside the HPA 20-yard line. Batacan looked like he would be stopped for a short gain, but he kept his legs moving and finished a 12-yard scamper into the end zone to give Kamehameha an early, two-score advantage.
HPA converted on a fourth down to keep its next drive alive, and Brost hit on his first field goal from 32 yards out to break the ice. Kamehameha fumbled the next kickoff, and HPA took over at the Kamehameha 25-yard line, leading to another field goal.
Kamehameha struggled to find rhythm in the passing game, and some drops by the wide receivers on quick screen passes did not help. After forcing a punt from the Warriors, Ellis hit Justin Perry in stride down the sideline for a 65-yard score.
The speedy Perry has been a big play receiver for Ka Makani this year, and has been helped by defenses keying on Nicky Palleschi. Saturday was no different, as Kamehameha had to make sure the 6-foot-5 tight end was accounted for, as he often went in motion before the snap. Palleschi had season-lows in receptions and yards in the win, but his contributions away from the box score were obvious.
“Nicky is very talented and they keyed on him,” Ellis said. “When we motioned him it opened up some stuff for other guys.”
Brost added two more field goals in the second quarter, but Kamehameha responded to 19 unanswered points with a 1-yard touchdown plunge from Peneku to tie the game.
Brost scored with a short touchdown grab before the half, and Perry had the only touchdown of the third quarter on a nine-yard reception. But Ka Makani could not get comfortable just yet.
As Kamehameha geared up for a final run to cut into the HPA lead, defensive lineman Kanai Gaughen dropped into coverage, picked off Kanehailua and ran it back 35 yards for a touchdown.
Kamehameha will use the week to regroup before taking on a scrappy Honokaa team at home.
“We need to learn to be champions,” Lyons said. “This was not a championship game and does not affect our season, other than showing us what we have to learn and improve on going forward.”
HPA will look to build on the win, hosting an upward trending Waiakea squad next week.
Kamehameha13 7 0 8 — 28
HPA 13 12 7 7 — 39
First quarter
Kam — Kainalu Whitney 79-yard reception from Micah Kanehailua (kick good)
Kam — Kaeo Batacan 12-yard run (kick failed)
HPA — Alex Brost 32-yard FG
HPA — Brost 36-yard FG
HPA — Justin Perrry 65-yard reception from Ellis (Brost kick)
Second quarter
HPA — Brost 37-yard FG
HPA — Brost 42-yard FG
Kam — Chase Peneku 1-yard run (Kick good)
HPA — Brost 4-yard reception from Ellis (Brost kick blocked)
Third quarter
HPA — Perry 9-yard reception from Ellis (Brost kick)
Fourth quarter
HPA — Kanai Gaughen 35-yard interception return Brost (Brost kick)
Kam — Chase Peneku 2-yard run (2-point conversion)