For the third consecutive year, Hilo and Kealakehe meet for the Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division I title, but this time around things are a little different.
Hilo (9-0) enters as the undisputed favorite and defending champion, a role Kealakehe (4-5) has played for more than a decade.
The Waveriders have the championship pedigree, playing in every championship game since 2002, and winning seven titles in that span. The Vikings broke a decade-long title drought with a 21-10 win against Kealakehe last season and are looking to start a championship tradition of their own.
This season, the Vikings have run through the BIIF season unscathed, while Kealakehe has struggled to find consistency. But despite it being a mismatch on paper, the Waveriders can hang their hats on a narrow 7-0 regular season loss to the Vikings.
Here is what to watch for in the matchup:
Kealakehe in focus
The Waveriders avenged a regular season loss to Waiakea with a 39-25 win against the Warriors in the BIIF semifinals.
Kaimi Wilson got the start at quarterback for the ‘Riders. The senior, who has seen scattered time at quarterback throughout the season, was 14 of 30 passing for 180 yards and accounted for three total touchdowns (two passing, one rushing).
More than half of Wilson’s yards came to Louie Garcia, who started the year on defense in the secondary, but has settled into the role as an offensive sparkplug. Garcia had 102 yards receiving, two touchdowns and big contributions on special teams. Riggs Kurashige — who carried the Kealakehe offense for the start of the season — had 41 yards receiving and a score.
Kealakehe rushed for 121 yard in the win. Kobe Antolin led the way with 57 yards and a touchdown.
The offensive output was a stark contrast to Kealakehe’s 26-yard regular season finale against rival Konawaena.
The Waveriders’ defense has played outstanding at times, but has had trouble with consistency and preventing big plays. The unit’s best performance came against Hilo, holding last year’s BIIF Co-Offensive Player of the Year Tristin Spikes to just 35 yards on 16 carries and quarterback Sione Atuekaho to 100 yards passing.
The Kealakehe defense has some new faces, including Ini Paio at linebacker, but will have to summon a similar type of effort to have a chance against a hungry Hilo squad. The offense will have to continue its upward trend against a much tougher opponent.
Hilo in focus
The Vikings have outscored opponents 389-64 this season, by far a BIIF-best. That margin has grown lately due to Hilo outscoring its last four opponents 217-17.
The Vikings beat up on winless Keaau twice in that span, including in the BIIF D-I semifinal.
In the postseason contest, quarterback Atuekaho finished 5 of 14 for 121 yards and four scores. He also scored on a 51-yard touchdown run. Spikes ran for 109 yards on 10 carries, and Donavan Kelley brought back a punt 62 yards for a touchdown.
The two lopsided wins against a struggling Keaau are hard to evaluate, but Hilo also knocked off Konawaena in that span — a team that has been amongst the BIIF’s best this season.
Despite the 39-7 margin against the Wildcats, Hilo’s offense didn’t have a huge day, but the defense set up the scores with turnovers and gave the offense a short field.
Ofa Fahiua has been the catalyst on the defense. He possesses a knack for defensive scores and has recorded more than 100 tackles this season. Against Keaau, Fahiua added another touchdown to his resume, returning a fumble 62 yards, and making eight tackles.
The Hilo linebacker also had the lone score in the Vikings narrow victory against Kealakehe, returning a fumble just 10 seconds in.
Fahiua’s heroics against Kealakehe extend beyond this season. In the title game last year, Fahiua had two interceptions — one a pick-six — a fumble recovery, and a sack.
With the usually muddy and slow conditions of Wong Stadium always being a factor, it is likely to be to the defense’s benefit.
Kealakehe keys to victory
Simply, the offense will have to move the ball. Last time out, the defense held Hilo without a score on offense, and the ‘Riders offense did not do its part. The offense has no points against the BIIF’s top two defenses, Konawaena and Hilo.
After a tumultuous year of quarterback play, it seems the Waveriders have finally settled on Wilson at quarterback. Wilson has a lot of starting experience over the last two years, and the potential and athletic ability to be a good high school quarterback.
With Wilson behind center for an entire game, and guys like Garcia and Antolin providing big plays, the offense looked its most effective against Waiakea. However, the Hilo defense is the best in the BIIF and the offense will not have the same type of space to work. In-game adjustments will be key to how Kealakehe deals with the pressure.
The Kealakehe staff will have to come up with a game plan to make Wilson effective and in rhythm early.
The Waveriders will also have to hang onto the ball. Hilo converts turnovers into points real quick. In last year’s championship game, Hilo scored all of its points in the 21-10 win off turnovers.
Hilo keys to victory
The Vikings have a chance to erase the memory of the season-worst offensive performance against Kealakehe.
Hilo has an array of different plays —zone, counter, option and power run concepts. But the amount of plays doesn’t matter if there is not execution on the field.
For a second consecutive year, Spikes has over 1,000 yards rushing and he has done it with defenses stacking the box.
But Kealakehe has been the thorn in Spikes’ side during his high school career. He has rushed for less than 100 yards in the last three meetings against Waveriders — 42 yards, 50 and 35, respectively.
For Spikes to have a breakthrough performance, his offensive line will have to open up holes and deal with the Waveriders’ pressure. Spikes has the speed to make a big play if a defender is even a step out of position.
On the defensive side of the ball, Hilo just needs to keep up what they have done all season.
The Vikings have feasted on turnovers, and while Wilson has starting experience, he has made mistakes when under pressure.
Kelley also has a penchant for showing up in big games. The return specialist could make an impact on special teams or with a cameo on offense.