Football is back, and for BIIF teams around the island, it’s starting in a hurry against some stiff competition.
Five BIIF squads will be in action on Saturday.
Kealakehe plays host to reigning MIL Division I champion Maui High. Honokaa welcomes OIA opponent Waialua.
Three teams are on the road in Keaau, Kamehameha-Hawaii and Waiakea. The Cougars will likely face the stiffest road test against last year’s Division II state runner-up Lahainaluna. Both the Kamehameha-Hawaii Warriors and Waiakea Warriors will be on Oahu. Kamehameha takes on Kalaheo, while Waiakea will do battle with Moanalua.
After an 0-9 season that saw the Dragons outscored 305-21 two years ago, Honokaa started to move in the right direction in 2014 under new head coach Morgan “Hana” Hanohano. The D-II Dragons managed two wins and should continue that gradual, upward trend.
The roster passes the eye test with solid size, depth at skill positions and added experience for the coaching staff and players. A preseason schedule that features games against Waialua and St. Francis on Aug. 22 will also help Honokaa start out the season on the right foot — a benefit the team was not granted a year ago.
“Last year, the hurricane canceled our only preseason game against Kaimuki,” Hanohano said. “We will really be using these games to see what we have to work on and who will step up.”
BIIF D-I runner-up Kealakehe is looking to rebound from a subpar 4-6 campaign of a year ago. It is the second season in a row the Waveriders open up with Maui.
Last year, the Sabers rumbled past the visiting ‘Riders 28-7 behind nearly 300 rushing yards and throwing just two passes. But this time around, things are different. Kealakehe is at home and Maui could look a bit different under new head coach Keith Shirota. Former head coach David Bui stepped down after four seasons in February.
“We know they are a good team. We found that out quickly last year,” Kealakehe head coach Sam Kekuaokalani said. “They had a really solid running game. We don’t know about this year yet, but we will see.”
The Waveriders have a solid stable of ball carriers that includes Ini Paio, Kobe Antolin and Riggs Kurashige, but are looking for consistency at quarterback. Markus Degrate — the part-time starter last year — is in the running for the starting gig, but is currently in a too-close-to-call race with sophomore Anthony Trevino. It is unknown who will get the majority of snaps on Saturday.
Kealakehe also has a matchup against Iolani on Aug. 15. The Raiders have won seven of the last eight Division II state titles, but made the move to Division I this season.
The Waveriders close out the preseason against visiting Canada squad Vincent MP on Aug. 22.