HILO – All the Waiakea Warriors needed was a break. Once they got it, they ran with it for their first win of the season.
Makoa Andres rushed for three touchdowns Thursday night, including the go-ahead score in the fourth quarter, and the Warriors came from behind for a 28-24 BIIF victory against Hawaii Preparatory Academy at Wong Stadium.
After the game, many Waiakea players remained on the field shouting, “We won!”
“I hope they can keep their heads on,” coach Moku Pita said. “It’s all preseason until the playoffs.”
Tevis Holi and Kelii Perez-Poai led a ground game for the Warriors (1-3 BIIF Division I, 1-6) that churned out 218 yards.
“Tevis never plays running back, but we put him in there and that made the offensive line start going,” Pita said. “We started rolling.”
Ka Makani (1-3 BIIF Division II, 1-4) jumped out to a quick 14-point lead but couldn’t overcome four turnovers.
HPA was looking to add to its lead in the fourth quarter when quarterback Justin Perry’s second fumble gave the ball to Waiakea at its 22.
The Warriors turned to Perez-Poai, who popped off runs of 16, 17 and 25 yards. On first-and-goal, Andres ran up the middle to give the Warriors their first lead.
“That’s the good thing about this team, they keep coming back,” Pita said. “Every week, we see progress.”
Ethan McBraun-Keiki’s interception sealed the victory.
Holi ran for 85 yards and gave Waiakea a first-half spark, eating up large chunks of yardage on an eight-play, 72-yard drive that Andres capped from a yard out.
The Warriors recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, and Andres’ completion to Hunter Rapoza set up Perez-Poai’s touchdown run. He finished with 82 yards on the ground.
Anthony Palleschi ran for 103 yards and two touchdowns for Ka Makani, which didn’t score in the second half.
HPA’s Kevin Durkin compiled 123 yards on returns – not including an interception – to set up three first-half scores for HPA.
His 68-yard kickoff return gave HPA a short field, and Perry’s touchdown pass to Zach Chaiken gave HPA the lead again, but Waiakea responded with a 55-yard drive to tie the game on an Andres’ touchdown.
The scoreboard malfunctioned, and time was kept on the field.
Neither team relied much on the pass.
Andres completed 3 of 11 passes and Perry was 5 of 10. Waiakea held HPA to 247 yards of offense.
Hawaii Prep 14 10 0 0 —24
Waiakea 14 7 0 7 — 28