KAILUA-KONA — It’s a coach speak cliche, but the team that makes the least amount of mistakes usually wins the game.
Hilo flipped four turnovers into four touchdowns — including a pair of interception returns — and rode a steady, explosive offense to a 45-23 victory at Waverider Stadium.
Hilo — the five-time defending BIIF D-I champs and HHSAA Division I title holders — played like a team looking to send a message and did just that in the lopsided victory. Hilo is now 4-0 at Kealakehe since 2013 and 9-1 overall against the Waveriders.
While the defense was stout for the Viks with five forced turnovers, the offense didn’t trail far behind. Quarterback Kyan Miyasato returned to lead the offense and accounted for four touchdowns — three passing, one rushing — in the first half. The junior QB finished his night through the air 19 of 31 for 254 yards.
Kalae Akui (7 catches, 109 yards, 2 TDs) and Kyler Aguiar (6 catches, 102 yards) gave the Viks a pair of 100-yard receivers, and running back Kaleo Ramos rumbled for 124 yards on the ground.
Kealakehe quarterback Jorden Himalaya tossed a pair of touchdown passes and went for 228 yards in the loss, but also had three interceptions.
The most successful rusher for the ‘Riders was Tyler Jacinto with 73 yards and a fourth quarter score.
It was rocky from the start for the Waveriders. On the second play of the game, Kealakehe put the ball on the turf and Hilo recovered. Two plays later, Miyasato found Guyson Ogata for the first touchdown of the game.
But the first half would be filled with twists and turns.
Kealakehe started the game with Koarii Atkinson-Sioloa taking snaps at QB, and soon after, Kalani Piltz was behind center — both wide receivers. Himalaya had warmed up with the team, but did not start the game.
His absence was not an extended one. Himalaya entered the game and led Kealakehe’s first TD drive, connecting with Ikaika Pali on a 35-yard pass to even up the score.
But Hilo showed championship poise after the Waveriders initial strike, with Miyasato finding Kalae Akui to go back on top, 14-7.
On the first snap of the ensuing Kealakehe drive, the Vikings recovered another fumble well in Waverider territory. Miyasato accounted for his third TD of the night by sneaking in from 1-yard out to extend the lead.
A crucial point in the game came early in the second quarter with Hilo driving and already up 21-7. The Viks got inside the Kealakehe 25, but could not pick up a fourth down to continue the drive, turning the ball over to Kealakehe on downs.
In response, the Waveriders drove 81 yards behind two acrobatic catches by Kalani Piltz. Himalaya found Pali again in the end zone to make it a one score game.
The Vikings wouldn’t make the same mistake in the same situation a second time. Facing fourth down again, Miyasato scrambled to pick up a new set of downs and the Viks capped off the following drive with a 1-yard TD pass to Akui.
Aguiar — who had been filling in at QB for Hilo in Miyasato’s absence — didn’t find the end zone in the first half, but made things happen with crisp route running and speed. He had 91 yards receiving over the first two quarters to help the Vikings move the ball.
Kealakehe’s Kean Schutte hit a 39-yard field goal to narrow the margin to 28-17 as the halftime buzzer rang.
It was all defense for Hilo in the third quarter. Klyson Kaiwi put points on the board by jumping a route and returning an interception 39 yards for a score. Elijah Apao one-upped his defensive back buddy, nabbing a pass just inside of the end zone and streaking down the makai sideline 101 yards for the longest score of the season so far.
Kealakehe made a final push with a fourth quarter TD run by Jactino, but a final interception and field goal by Hilo put the final nail in the coffin.
Next up
Hilo: The Vikings get Waiakea (2-1) at Wong Stadium in a D-I clash.
Kealakehe: The Waveriders celebrate homecoming against Keaau (1-2).