Highly anticipated might be an understatement to describe the clash between Kealakehe and Konawaena at Waverider Stadium on Friday night.
Not only are the west side rivals battling for bragging rights, but the team that walks away the victory will be the BIIF’s lone undefeated squad heading into midseason and then four consecutive weeks of divisional contests that will shape the postseason.
For the Waveriders, getting to 3-0 hasn’t been the smoothest ride, and the perennial Division I contender has something to prove.
Kealakehe used a thrilling comeback victory against Kamehameha-Hawaii to start the season on a high-note, and reeled off wins against Honokaa and Hawaii Preparatory Academy to move to 3-0. While the defense has shown glimpses of championship caliber play, the offense has struggled to find an identity.
A victory against their highly-touted west side rival would be a statement win for the Waveriders, and stakes are even higher as the game against the Wildcats is also serving as homecoming.
On the other side of the ball, the Division II Wildcats have been cruising at a high speed since the start of the season and look to be the class of the BIIF. Runaway wins over Waiakea and Keaau displayed the offense’s potency, and a hard-fought victory against defending DI champion Hilo showed that Konawaena has the ability grind out the gritty games.
Here’s a unit-by-unit look at the teams to sort out who has the edge in the rivalry matchup.
OVERALL OFFENSE
The Wildcats have weapons all over the field, and it’s a pick your poison type of situation for opponents. Konawaena also takes care of the ball — the hallmark of a championship team — with just four turnovers all year (three fumbles and one interception).
Meanwhile, the Waveriders are struggling to reach a 200-yard per game average, and have put up just 21 points per game in three wins against BIIF opponents.
Riggs Kurashige has four touchdowns in those games (three rushing, one special teams), and has carried the running game so far, but a nonexistent passing game will hurt the Waveriders. The running game must be hitting on all cylinders in order for Kealakehe to mount a serious challenge.
Sustaining drives and keeping Konawaena’s offense off the field will help the Waveriders chance for success.
Edge: Konawaena
Quarterback
Sophomore QB Austin Ewing is blazing a successful trail for the Wildcats, completing his passes at a 60 percent clip and racking up almost 900 yards, and an impressive 10-1 TD to interception ratio. Ewing has guided the prolific Wildcat offense to an almost 50 points per game average against BIIF opponents.
Waverider senior QB Markus Degrate regained the starting job last week against Hawaii Prep and was able to lead the ‘Riders to a win in an ugly, turnover filled contest. Neither Degrate nor previous sophomore starter Anthony “Head” Trevino have been able to put fear into their opponents with the pass. Against Hawaii Prep, Degrate hit on 7 of 13 attempts for 73 yards but no TDs. He did show off some athleticism on a late rushing score.
Edge: Konawaena
Running backs
Konawaena’s rushing attack is led by workhorse duo of Algene Kelekolio and Micah Laban. The two backs are a lethal 1-2 punch for the Wildcats and are capable of picking up big chunks of yardage at a time.
Kealakehe will lean on three-year starter Riggs Kurashige — Mighty Mouse 2.0. He is a threat to take it to the house as a ball carrier or as a pass-catcher. Akoni Demello has a similar skill set to Kurashige and can run sweeps, counters and traps.
If the Waveriders choose to go with a more smash mouth outfit, senior backs Kobe Antolin and Ini Paio are more than capable downhill runners who can drag defenders. However, both are just coming back from injuries and may not be running at full force yet.
Edge: Kealakehe
Wide receiver
Konawaena has spread the ball around, with 11 players registering catches this season. Tristan Fleming-Nazara has hauled in 16 receptions for 181 yards and a TD. Slot back Kayson Mahiai has 13 catches for 234 yards and two scores, while big wideout Kamakana Ching has 12 receptions for a team leading 252 yards, four touchdowns and a whopping 21 yards per catch average.
Other top threats for the Wildcats include dynamic, do-it-all player, Cameron Howes, Kupono Kane and Kelekolio and Laban out of the backfield.
Outside of Kurashige, no Kealakehe player has proven to be a reliable threat in the passing game.
Edge: Konawaena
Offensive line
The Wildcat offense is averaging 48 points per game and 362 yards in BIIF contests. That would not be possible without the new-look offensive line playing steady and consistent in both pass protection and run blocking.
Kealakehe’s line has been solid, despite a lot of youth in freshman Alan “Kaua” Awana and sophomore Hiram Anakalea. Senior center Josiah Kia, offensive tackle Anthony Vierra and junior guard Tyler Tyrpak round out the starting offensive line. That unit will have their hands full with an undersized, but very quick Konawaena front seven.
Edge: Konawaena
OVERALL DEFENSE
Two aggressive and quick defenses will meet at Waverider Stadium, but the Wildcats have earned an edge with a well rounded group that routinely holds opponents to less than 100 yards of offense. Konawaena is led by a tenacious front four and an ultra-talented secondary that held Keaau to negative 55 yards of offense last week.
Kealakehe’s defense is undoubtedly the strength of the team, and the unit has provided big plays that have led to some come from behind victories. Opposing teams have found it almost impossible to penetrate the front line of the Kealakehe defense, but have been able to gain yards and score points by throwing the football.
The Waveriders’ secondary has been exposed at certain points this season and will face its most severe test against the multi-faceted offensive attack of Wildcats.
Edge: Konawaena
Secondary
The Wildcats are loaded with defensive ball hawks that have picked off opponents eight times this season. Howes at safety and Mahiai at corner hold down the unit.
Despite giving up almost 300 yards a game, Kealakehe has talent in its back end in senior safeties Klein Hao and Sequoia Iona. The Waverider corners will be severely tested by the fleet of Wildcat wideouts, and will need help from the pass rush.
Edge: Konawaena
Linebackers
Logan Canda and Phillip Grace headline the second line of defense for Konawaena. The linebackers have been run stoppers and have demonstrated the ability to drop into hook and curl zones to help in coverage.
Randy Hatori and Pulama Louis have been mainstays along the second line for Kealakehe, swarming to the ball and delivering big hits. They will need to play their best games of the season in order to thwart the Konawaena scoring machine.
Edge: Konawaena
Defensive line
Joseph Kaopua, Isaac “Sake” Kioa, and Howard Cosare form the nucleus of the Waverider’s most dominant unit. Junior tackle BJ Mareko and Micah Kahanu have filled in admirably. This front four must pressure and harass Konawaena QB Ewing and force him into some sophomore mistakes.
Konawaena defensive end Torin Tuppein has the quickness and tenacity to rival Kealakehe’s pass rushers, and will have help from Wildcats’ sack leader Austin Santos-Johnson. Paka Cacoulidis and Vicente Cancino will be among other Wildcats battling in the trenches.
Edge: Kealakehe
Special teams
Howes and Mahiai are the explosive kick returners for Konawaena, while Kealakehe’s return man Kurashige is among the best in the BIIF at following blocks and making something out of nothing.
Kealakehe holds the definitive edge in kicking with newcomer Kolby Martin. Martin has shown off a solid leg and consistency booting the ball.
Edge: Kealakehe
Final score
De Groote
Konawaena 28,
Kealakehe 17
Papalii
Konawaena 34,
Kealakehe 15
Other games
Hawaii Prep at Waiakea
Thursday, 7 p.m.
Despite entering with a 0-6 overall record, Waiakea has shown improvement from week-to-week. Makoa Andres, taking the snaps at quarterback, has given the Warriors a great dual-threat weapon. Andres has passed for 281 yards and four touchdowns the last two weeks, and has added 161 yards on the ground.
Hawaii Prep will have to rebound from a shutout loss in wet weather to Kealakehe on a short week. Ka Makani have multiple pieces to make some noise in the BIIF, but have to start putting those pieces together as the divisional slate approaches.
De Groote: HPA 21, Waiakea 13
Papalii: HPA 21, Waiakea 17
Keaau at Kamehameha-Hawaii
Friday, 7 p.m.
The Cougars have not shown to even have a semblance of an offense, going backwards against Konawaena last week. The Warriors will be looking to get back on track in the fifth annual Kipimana Cup before hitting its tough BIIF DII slate.
De Groote: Kamehameha 48, Keaau 13
Papalii: Kamehameha 50, Keaau 6
Honokaa at Hilo
Saturday, 7 p.m.
The Vikings churned out their most promising performance of the season in a blowout 41-6 win against Kamehameha-Hawaii last week. Junior quarterback Ka’ale Tiogangco again led the way with two TD passes.
Honokaa has been the surprise of the season so far, and could easily have a 3-0 BIIF record if a few bounces had gone a different way against Kealakehe. Nainoa Falk has been a nightmare for defenses through the air and with his legs.
De Groote: Hilo 28, Honokaa 21
Papalii: Hilo 36, Honokaa 14
