The audio recordings of the national anthem and Hawaii Ponoi failed more than halfway through their renditions before Thursday night’s game between Keaau and Hilo. As if on cue, the crowd at Wong Stadium did its best to sing the songs to their conclusion both times.
The Vikings’ defense followed suit. It’s not that Hilo’s offense ever shut down after a fast start, but it did bog down. On cue, the defense carried it the rest of way.
Hilo scored two defensive touchdowns and an interception set up another after quarterback Ka’ale Tiogangco accounted for three scores, and the Vikings shut out Keaau 45-0 in the final regular-season tuneup before the BIIF Division I playoffs.
Both teams will have an extra day of practice ahead of their semifinals. Winners of four of five, Hilo (5-2 BIIF, 5-4) faces Waiakea on Oct. 16 at Wong, while the Cougars (0-7, 0-8) travel to Kealakehe on Oct. 17.
“(Hilo’s) defense is what carries them,” Keaau coach Kalei Young said. “They’ve got a quick-striking offense, which is the perfect complement to a strong defense. A bunch of good, disciplined kids.”
The Vikings amassed a modest 209 yards of offense, though with the way their defense dominated they only ran a handful of plays in the second half.
Linebacker Wela Mamone recovered a fumbled exchange in the end zone, Ta’ulelei Toledo’s interception deep in Cougars’ territory set up Isaac Lerma’s touchdown run and Jacob Chiquita took an interception back 67 yards for a score to cap a suffocating defensive effort.
Hilo also blocked a punt in the end zone for a safety.
Keaau finished with just 27 yards of offense, including negative 44 on the ground thanks to six sacks.
Though the Cougars are still winless since 2013, Young took heart that Thursday night’s contest was closer than either meeting against Hilo last season. In the team’s 2014 semifinal, the Vikings led 61-0 at halftime.
“The kids are still sticking with it, and that’s something I’m proud of,” Young said. “Of course, they get discouraged when they see the scores, but they’re all back in practice on Monday.”
One week after sitting out the first half of a double-overtime loss against Kealakehe that cost Hilo home-field advantage, Tiogangco was near flawless in directing Hilo’s first three drives:
• On a seven-play, 50-yard march, Kahale Huddleston ran for 24 yards, Tiogangco completed a 20-yard pass and Josiah Factora scored on a 1-yard reception;
• Taking over at their 47, the Vikings ran off five consecutive plays of 10 yards or more, and Tiogangco scored from the 1;
• On another short field, Pono Landford scampered 18 yards, and Tiogangco found Lukas Kuipers for a 26-yard touchdown.
Tiogangco finished 11 of 14 for 128 yards, finding six different receivers.
Keaau’s two quarterbacks were efficient when they were able to unload the ball, but neither compiled much yardage. Dilan Santos was 4 of 7 and Damien Furtado went 6 of 10 , but Young said the Cougars never were able to account for Hilo double A-gap blitz.
“That was a tough one,” Young said. “We just needed a second or two more.”
Kuresa Toledo, Rylen Kaniaupio, Malu Lapiliio, Tausala Pola, David Pakele and Isaac Liu didn’t give Keaau that luxury, each finishing with sacks.
Keaau 0 0 0 0 – 0
Hilo 15 7 16 7 –45
First quarter
Hilo — Josiah Factora 1 pass from Ka’ale Tiogangco (Lukas Kuipers kick), 9:28
Hilo — Tiogangco 1 run (run good), 2:59
Second quarter
Hilo – Kuipers 26 pass from Tiogangco (Kuipers), 11:02
Third quarter
Hilo – Safety, punter tackled in the end zone, 9:34
Hilo – S. Wela Mamone fumble return in end zone (Kuipers kick), 7:31
Hilo – Isaac Lerma 10 run (Kuipers kick), 6:09
Fourth quarter
Hilo – Jacob Chiquita 67 interception return (Kuipers kick), 10:27