KEALAKEKUA — Julian R. Yates field has seen a lot of success over the last two seasons.
The standout victories on the Wildcat’s home turf include back-to-back BIIF Division II titles and the program’s first HHSAA state tournament win — just to name a few.
But sitting in the bleachers, watching the 2017 edition of his squad warm-up, third-year Konawaena head coach Brad Uemoto isn’t dwelling on the past.
In fact, it’s quite the opposite for the skipper of the program that has won five of the last six BIIF D-II titles.
“What we have done in the past doesn’t win us any games or put points on the scoreboard. In regards to this year, it means absolutely nothing,” Uemoto said. “It’s a clean slate, every time.”
While the Wildcats won’t be resting on their laurels, what does carry over from seasons past is expectations aplenty. After back-to-back state semifinal appearances, Konawaena is yet again in the conversation among the top Division II teams in the state, being mentioned among the likes of Iolani and defending D-II champion Lahainaluna.
The noise is hard to ignore, even all the way in Kealakekua. But the Wildcats have grown accustomed to it. They understand the big picture, but their focus is firmly on the Big Island as the season kicks into gear.
“Before we even think about those other teams, we have to take care of the Big Island. That’s always our goal and we have a big challenge ahead of us,” Uemoto said. “We have to create a new identity and go out there and win football games.”
The identity lately has been high-octane, with an offense led by the arm of two-time BIIF offensive player of the year Austin Ewing, who has a penchant for lighting up the scoreboard.
The Wildcats senior quarterback is among four returning offensive starters, but the passing game will look a little different. Kaanoi Rivera-Kelekolio is the only returning receiver for Konawaena, which lost three All-BIIF pass-catchers in Kamakana Ching, Jeremiah Casuga-Llanes and Austin Aukai to graduation.
While daunting on paper, it’s not an unfamiliar situation.
“Looking back at the past two years, we have had some very talented groups of guys playing wide receiver. We always wonder how we are going to replace them the next year, but guys step up,” Uemoto said. “From this group, there is no go-to guy yet, per say, but that’s not a bad thing. We are going to spread it out more.”
Ewing has taken the changes in stride, working with his new group to replicate the success of seasons past.
“It’s a little different, but there’s a lot of chemistry in this group,” Ewing said. “We’ve been working out this summer, getting our timing down.”
The numbers have been downright gaudy for Ewing the last two seasons, totaling a combined 4,978 yards and a 63-19 touchdown to interception ratio. With some major experience under his belt, that shouldn’t change for his senior campaign, as Konawaena is expected to rely heavily on his passing prowess to land a BIIF three-peat.
“The past few seasons, he’s been thrown the expectations, the hype and feeling like he has to prove himself. He’s used to it,” Uemoto said. “I think we will be a bit harder on him, especially to prepare him for the next level. But it’s also his senior season and he’s got a couple of offers under his belt already, so we want him to have fun.”
That shouldn’t be an issue for Ewing.
“Playing football is always fun for me,” Ewing said. “I take it serious, but when it’s fun, it’s easy to give 110 percent, all the time.”
Joining the Konawaena braintrust as defensive coordinator is Sam Papalii, a former college and high school coach who won three D-I BIIF titles across town at Kealakehe.
“There’s different terminology and movements up front, but I think we have a big toolbox of stuff to use week-to-week on defense,” Uemoto said.
The Wildcats have plenty of pieces to play with on the defensive side of the ball, which includes eight returning starters, three of which were All-BIIF picks a year ago in defensive end Paka Cacoulidis and linebackers Seau Amor and Michael Banagan-Brock.
“I’m really excited being a senior, learning this new system and teaching the younger boys,” Amor said. “That’s the biggest thing for me, so they can keep it going once we are gone.”
Kolu Alani (DL/OL) and Chauncey Mariani-Louis (LB/RB) are other returning starters who will contribute on both sides of the ball, while Tevin Canda comes back as a big body in the middle of the Wildcats’ defensive line. Among those lurking in Konawaena’s speedy secondary will be Jeriah Cacal, Kalai Santiago and Boaz Ayers.
When searching for a way to describe this version of the Wildcats, most of the seniors reference the camaraderie of the team, which is built off the mutual hunger to keep pushing, building on the successes and disappointments of seasons past to propel the program to new heights.
“It’s a brotherhood out there,” Amor said. “We play for each other.”
“For us, it’s all about using those past two years as motivation to not stop working,” Ewing added.
As for the hunt for another BIIF title, Uemoto has accepted that nothing comes easy when you’re the defending champs.
“The target is definitely on our back,” Uemoto said. “You always wish for it to be like that, but we know we are going to get everyone’s best game every time out.”
Konawaena opens its BIIF season Aug. 19 on the road at Kealakehe.