KAILUA-KONA — The offensive firework show set to go off at Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium on Oahu could probably put a lot of Fourth of July celebrations to shame.
Two of the state’s most explosive offenses are set to meet as Konawaena (11-1) hops islands to take on undefeated OIA champion Radford (11-0) in the HHSAA Division II semifinals at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
“They are definitely a big physical team that passes the eye test,” Konawaena head coach Brad Uemoto said. “But that’s nothing we haven’t seen before. Most Division I teams on this island we face are bigger than us.”
The prolific Wildcat offense has averaged just a shade over 37 points per game — including a 42-point, 588 yard output in a first round win over Damien last weekend.
Sophomore quarterback Austin Ewing has been the catalyst for Konawaena, passing for 1,978 yards and 25 touchdowns this season. But it was the running game that propelled the Wildcats to their first state tournament victory. Algene Kelekolio exploded for three first half touchdowns, and finished with a season-high 269 yards. The senior back is just four yards away from a 1,000-yard season to go with his whopping 18 touchdowns.
“We will take what they give us,” Uemoto said. “It will probably be more of the pass setting up the run, which we have done a lot this season. We are not concerned about stats or anything like that. It’s all about getting the win and playing within ourselves.”
The Rams — who earned a first round bye and the No. 2 seed — have outscored opponents by more than a five touchdown average, putting up 39.3 points and 358 yards per game.
Battering opponents has been the two-headed Ram running attack of Ace Faumui and Kodi Ongory-Mathias. They have each carried the ball 116 times this season — Faumui for 1,226 yards and 16 touchdowns, and Ongory-Mathias for 751 yards and 11 scores.
Quarterback Quintin Iriarte has contributed as well, passing for 921 yards and 14 touchdowns — 11 of those scores to receivers Blaise Manabe and Thomas Reid. He has also tossed 12 interceptions.
While the team’s point-happy offenses have drawn a lot of attention, two stout defenses might have something to say about this being a high-scoring affair. Each squad has three shutouts this season.
Konawaena standout defensive linemen Austin-Santos Johnson, Torin Tuppein and Paka Cacoulidis are all undersized to play in the trenches, but more than make up for it with speed and tenacity. Last week, Konawaena sacked Damien quarterback Marcus Faufata-Pedrina seven times — three of those coming from Santos-Johnson.
“Our defensive line matches up well with their offensive line,” Uemoto said. “I don’t think they have seen our kind of speed all year.”
The quick strike attack of the Wildcats will also face a stiffer test. Radford has allowed more than seven points on just one occasion this season — a 54-14 win over Pearl City — and have held opponents to less than five points per game.
The Wildcats plan to see a lot of pressure, which makes running the ball like a game of roulette.
“They are a blitz happy defense,” Uemoto said. “We might run right into the pressure, or hit the right hole for a big gain. It will be a game of chance running the ball.”
Win or lose, it’s going to be a long day for Konawaena. The Wildcats take off from Kailua-Kona early Saturday morning, and will hang around the field until game time.
“Traveling will be hard,” Uemoto said. “It is what it is though. We have used the word persevere all year. I think that is exactly what we have to do in this situation.
“We have got so much support not only from Kona, but this entire island. It’s a great feeling to still be standing and representing the BIIF.”