WAIMEA — Ka’iolana Kon is well aware of what the expectations were for Waiakea coming into the season — at least from people outside of the Warriors’ huddle.
The senior defensive lineman said he did some preseason reading and saw that a few places had Waiakea pegged for one win this year.
Just two weeks into the season, the Warriors have already surpassed that prediction and are poised to make even more noise in the BIIF.
Using a balanced approach of equal parts offense, defense and special teams, Waiakea rolled over Hawaii Preparatory Academy 39-0 to move to 2-0 on Saturday afternoon in Waimea.
“I guess we are surprising some people,” Kon said with a smile. “That’s been some of the motivation, for sure. It just feels different this year. This coaching staff really supports us.”
Coming off the program’s first winless season in the BIIF, first-year Waiakea head coach Neil Azevedo understands how important each victory is for squad. Nothing is taken for granted.
“Every win is big for these guys and every game is a building block for us to get to where we want to be,” Azevedo said. “We just have to keep working hard, but I think we are making some believers.”
The most crowded place to be during the game was on the Waiakea side of the box score. The Warriors utilized three quarterbacks who completed passes to five different receivers. Seven Warriors carried the ball, five players scored touchdowns and even more found a way to contribute on defense or special teams.
“We have 51 on the roster and we need all 51 of them to win games. That’s the way we need to do things,” Azevedo said. “This is not an all-star team. There is no one guy outshining anybody. We believe in every single one of them.”
The equal-opportunity approach is not lost on the Waiakea players.
“It makes us pretty confident heading into the game knowing the coaches believe in us,” said junior wide receiver Jason Kua-Cantan, who had three catches for 50 yards. “When I get the ball, I feel like I can do anything.”
Justin Nakamoto-Baltazar was the most successful of the trio of Warrior QBs, accounting for 251 yards passing, 45 rushing and two touchdowns — one through the air and one with his legs. A large chunk of Nakamoto-Baltazar’s passing yards came in the second quarter when he delivered a strike to Cheyn Tam-Switzer, who capitalized on a blown defensive assignment and strolled untouched for a 75-yard TD.
But Azevedo made sure to praise all three of his QBs — Nakamoto-Baltazar, Noah Eblacas and Vance Kamau — who all bring different skill sets and personality to the position.
“It’s hard to set any of them apart. All three are awesome,” Azevedo said. “Justin can see the whole field and has got a good arm. Noah is a great runner and Vance is a happy-go lucky sophomore, just enjoying life.”
The Waiakea defense did its part as well, pitching the team’s first shutout of a BIIF opponent since 2015, when the Warriors beat Keaau 30-0.
The Hawaii Prep backfield became familiar with the faces of Abel Pacatang, Peter Suiaunoa and Safea Villaruz-Mauai, who were part of a unit that kept up consistent pressure through all four quarters.
“We want them to enjoy the game,” Azevedo said. “When they get sacks or tackles for loss, they are happy.”
Azevedo is also a noted special teams enthusiast, so when Tam-Switzer returned a punt 71 yards for the opening score of the game, he knew it was going to be a good day.
“That was sweet,” Azevedo said. “We still have some kinks we have to work out. We want to be perfect, but to do that will take a lot of hard work.”
The mood was a little different on the Hawaii Prep sideline after a game where nothing seemed to flow. The offense managed just 67 total yards — with more than a dozen plays going for negative yardage — and the defense had a hard time getting consistent stops.
“I think we lost focus,” Hawaii Prep head coach Albert Cummings said. “We were dropping like flies out there and that’s where we need the next man up to step in. We know we have a lot to work on before our next game.”
The Ka Makani defense did tally three interceptions coming on three straight possessions to end the second half. Kelsen-Jaye Walker, Keawe Strance and Kala Thurston all nabbed Waiakea passes.
However, the most notable highlight for Hawaii Prep came before the opening kickoff.
Ka Makani players linked arms and marched down the center of the field to the large “A” on the north side of the stadium. Alongside flowers and photos, the players laid down a Hawaii Prep jersey with the number “66” on it to honor former head coach Daniel Te’o-Nesheim, who passed away in the offseason.
A portrait of the former Ka Makani and Washington University standout was visible on the Hawaii Prep sideline during the game, and family members sported “Danny Style” shirts.
Cummings said it was senior quarterback Seth Beach who approached him with the idea earlier in the week.
“I could not say no. It’s bigger than football sometimes. We want to be able to teach life lessons,” Cummings said. “For them to be able to come up with an idea like that to pay homage to someone that was once their coach and important to them was awesome to see.”