WAIMEA — At the rate Hilo is going, scoreboard operators around the league are going to start asking for a pay increase.
Behind four touchdowns from running back Kahale Huddleston, the defending Division I champion Vikings (2-0, 1-0 BIIF) routed Hawaii Preparatory Academy 73-6 in their BIIF opener Saturday afternoon in Waimea.
It was the most points scored by Hilo during its four-year championship reign on the Big Island — with the previous high being 68 in 2014 against Keaau — and the most in the BIIF since Konawaena posted 91 on Ka‘u in 2012.
It was the second consecutive game Hilo had tallied over 60 points, as the Viks edged ILH D-I contender Iolani 62-35 in a preseason matchup.
Quite frankly, it could have been worse. But after the Viks opened up a 64-0 lead before half, a horde of backups entered the game and the team didn’t throw a pass beyond the line of scrimmage. The running clock also helped to limit both teams to a combined 26 plays.
Compared to his gaudy six-touchdown, 454 all-purpose-yard performance against Iolani back on Aug. 12, Huddleston’s numbers were a bit more conservative against Ka Makani. However, he was efficient, wearing the team’s honorary jersey No. 6, which is given to a player that possesses good character and represents the school’s motto of “once a Viking always a Viking.”
The senior back rumbled for 74 yards and three scores on just seven carries. He also provided a highlight reel kick return in the fourth quarter, slicing down the middle of the field nearly untouched for 84 yards.
Hilo sophomore quarterback Kyan Miyasato also posted effective numbers, completing 4-of-8 passes for 159 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Kaleo Ramos added two scores and 62 yards.
Hawaii Prep stuck with sophomore quarterback Umi Kealoha throughout the contest, and it paid off in the fourth quarter. He found Dean Connors on a 97-yard pass down the sideline for Ka Makani’s only points of the afternoon. Kealoha finished the game 7 of 25 for 146 yards.
Many of the Hawaii Prep players played on both sides of the ball, including Sheldon Aribal, who received the lion’s share of the carries. The Ka Makani senior recorded 38 yards on 14 attempts.
Hilo hosts Honokaa (2-0, 1-0) next week at Wong Stadium, while Hawaii Prep will face Waiakea (1-3, 0-1) on the road.