When Division I rivals Kealakehe (5-3 overall, 4-1 BIIF Division I) and Hilo (4-3, 4-1) meet up in the regular season, it’s always a dogfight with championship implications. Expect more of the same on Friday when the Waveriders travel to Wong Stadium to take on the Vikings with home field advantage in the BIIF playoffs on the line.
The last three regular season games between the cross-island rivals have been decided by an average of just six points, with the Vikings holding a 2-1 advantage in those games. Last year at Waverider stadium, the Vikings won just 7-0, the only score coming on a fumble return on the first play of the game.
The defending DI champion Vikings look to be in postseason form, outscoring opponents 121-12 in the last three games.
Kealakehe has sputtered in recent weeks after a 3-0 start to the BIIF season, including a 39-9 loss to Konawaena at home on Sept. 18. But the Waveriders forced eight turnovers and scored twice on defense in a 28-8 win against Keaau last week.
Here’s a look at the teams to sort out who has the edge in this important Division I matchup
Kealakehe offense
By far, the most important key to victory for the Waveriders will be establishing the run.
The game plan needs to include a variety of inside and off-tackle runs, and then perimeter runs like sweeps and counters can compliment those. Strong, downhill running will force the defense to squeeze down, and then the sweeps and outside runs will be effective.
Who will be carrying the ball will be the question. Four different players have led the Waveriders in rushing in five BIIF contest. Akoni Demello is the only back to have done it twice, but last week Kobe Antolin provided 152 yards and the Waveriders’ only two offensive scores.
Kealakehe has not shown the ability to pass, alternating between senior Markus Degrate and sophomore Anthony Trevino. Last week the duo combined for 109 yards and two interceptions on 4-of-20 passing.
However, by establishing a running game, play action passes off the Waveriders’ best runs will be effective. It will also keep the game short and give Kealakehe’s defense some time to catch their breath.
Hilo offense
The two-time defending DI champs and junior quarterback Ka’ale Tiogangco are peaking at the right time.
Since losing to Konawaena on Sept. 7, the Vikings haven’t scored less than 35 points in a game. Tiogangco has had multiple touchdowns in every BIIF game this season, including eight total touchdowns in the last three games.
A balanced running attack has also thrived, with Isaac Lerma and Pono Landford each contributing a 100-yard-plus game the last two weeks. Tiogangco also has the ability to pick up big chunks of yards on the ground.
The Kealakehe defense will be a tough test, but the balanced attack will keep the Waveriders off-balance.
Edge: Hilo
Kealakehe defense
While a 28-8 victory over hapless Keaau is nothing to write home about, Sequoia Iona’s four interception game was a great individual effort.
While the secondary stood strong against Keaau, the unit has been susceptible to giving up yards through the air, and a potent Hilo attack will provide a much tougher test.
Iona and the defensive backs will have to stay alert against a Vikings’ offense that has the capability to go downfield and make plays after the catch.
Up front, the aggressive front seven of Kealakehe needs to play sound, assignment defense to contain the scrambling ability of Tiogangco. Linebacker Randy Hatori has some of the best closing speed in the BIIF, and will be a big factor in keeping the scrambling QB in check.
If Kealakehe can make the Hilo offense one dimensional, it will help their cause.
Hilo defense
For as good as the offense has been for the Viks, the defense has been equally outstanding.
In the last three weeks, Hilo has allowed just 12 points, and have been stingy giving up yards. Only Kamehameha managed to barely crack the 150 yard mark against the Vikings, with the majority of that coming on a 78-yard touchdown run.
Like most closely contested games, turnovers have proved to be the deciding factor in this matchup the last four times out. That became even more relevant last year, when Vikings’ defensive player of the year Ofa Fahiua returned a fumble on the first play, and the teams played to a stalemate the rest of the way.
Fahiua — who had a penchant for defensive scores — is gone, but the Vikings have had no problems forcing turnovers. The most impressive performance came against Kamehameha, forcing the defending DII champs to turn over the ball seven times. Skylar Ogata, Pakele and linebacker Rylen Kaniaupio have scored on defense the last three weeks.
Edge: Hilo
Final score:
De Groote
Hilo 17, Kealakehe 10
Papalii
Hilo 21, Kealakehe 6
OTHER GAMES
Kamehameha-Hawaii (6-2, 3-2 DII) at Honokaa (2-5, 2-3 DII)
Friday at 7 p.m.
The Warriors have been up-and-down this season, but head to Honokaa with some major momentum after shutting out previously undefeated Konawaena 24-0 last week.
Kamehameha convincingly won the turnover battle and Kaeo Batacan was the workhorse on offense, reaching 40 carries for the night.
Honokaa needs to bounce back from an ugly 23-0 loss to Hawaii Prep last week. The Dragons managed just 105 yards of offense on a windy Waimea day, and gave up 21 points in a three-minute span to Ka Makani.
De Groote
Kamehameha-Hawaii 28, Honokaa 7
Papalii
Kamehameha-Hawaii 34, Honokaa 10
Konawaena (6-1, 4-1 DII) at Hawaii Prep (2-4, 2-3 DII)
Saturday, 3 p.m.
Expect Konawaena to show up to Waimea with a chip on its shoulder after a surprising shutout loss to Kamehameha-Hawaii last week.
The Wildcats’ offense managed 273 yards, but could not find the end zone on a rainy night against the Warriors, despite multiple chances on Kamehameha’s side of the field.
After falling behind, backup quarterback Tristan Fleming-Nazara was forced to throw in the wet conditions, and the Warriors ended up on the other side of his passes four times.
Standout sophomore quarterback Austin Ewing is expected back for the Wildcats against Ka Makani. Ewing should bring stability back to the offense and allow Fleming-Nazara to return to his productive spot as a pass catcher.
Kekoa LeBlanc provided two touchdowns passes in Ka Makani’s win last week against Honokaa. However, outside of a productive second quarter, Hawaii Prep did not manage much on offense.
The game will feature two of the BIIF’s most productive defenders in Hawaii Prep’s Anthony Palleschi (68 tackles, four sacks) and Konawaena’s Austin Santos-Johnson (70 tackles, 17 TFL).
De Groote
Konawaena 42, Hawaii Prep 13
Papalii
Konawaena 28, Hawaii Prep 13
Waiakea (1-7, 1-4 DI) at Keaau (0-6, 0-5 DI)
Saturday, 3 p.m.
Waiakea earned its first win of the season against Hawaii Prep on Sept. 17, but were humbled against Hilo last week 35-0.
The Warriors will look to get back on track against the winless Cougars and hang on to the No. 3 seed in Division I.
Despite the score, there were a handful of positives Keaau should take away from its 28-8 loss to Kealakehe last week. The Cougars allowed just two offense scores to the Waveriders and forced six turnovers.
De Groote
Waiakea 21, Keaau 14
Papalii
Waiakea 28, Keaau 15