Hilo knew it needed a strong start to compete with Mililani.
The Vikings didn’t come close.
But the way they finished likely will leave Hilo raring to come back again to try and bridge the large gap that separates the Oahu Division I football schools and everyone else.
The Trojans, too big, too fast, too strong, nearly rolled their way to 600 yards of offense on Friday night at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, stampeding their way to a 62-18 victory in the first round of the HHSAA championships.
The loss continued a pair of unfortunate state streaks for Hilo (7-5) and the BIIF. The Vikings, the three-time defending league champion, fell to 0-5 at states, dropping the Big Island to 0-17 all-time.
Some will continue to question whether the BIIF should compete in Division I at the state level, but it should be noted that Vikings junior quarterback Ka’ale Tiogangco flashed a large smile late in the fourth quarter after his 75-yard touchdown run accounted for his third score of the night.
Tiogangco compiled more than 290 yards of offense and also threw second-half touchdown passes to Ke’aho Kaawa‐Wilson and Isaac Lerma. However, unlike state trips in 2013 and 2014, when the Vikings were able to hand around for a while before succumbing in the first round, defending state champion Mililani (10-2) flexed its muscle early and often.
Ultimately, Hilo got an upclose look at major college football talent.
Quarterback McKenzie Milton, a Hawaii commit, returned from an injury and threw for 263 yards and three touchdowns, running back Vavae Malepeai, an Oregon recruit, scored twice and rumbled for 127 yards, and wide receiver Kalakaua Timoteo – another Rainbow Warrior commit – caught eight passes and touchdown.
The only damper of the night for Mililani was an injury suffered by Malepeai. The Trojans advance to face top-seeded St. Louis of the ILH on Friday in the semifinals. In the other first-round game at Aloha Stadium, the OIA’s Waianae dismissed Maui’s Baldwin 21-6.
Hilo forced the first turnover of the game when Rylen Kaniaupio recovered a fumble in the first quarter, but Mililani took advantage for two Vikings first-quarter turnovers, leading 21-0 after one and 41-0 at the half.
Of Hilo’s 352 yards, Tiogangco passed for 182 and ran for 110. He threw an interception.
Hilo senior Dallas Mata finished with seven tackles and an interception.
Hilo 0 0 6 12 – 18
Mililani 21 20 7 14 – 62
