HONOKAA — As is tradition for homecoming, the lights were shut down earlier than normal on Friday night as Honokaa players, coaches and supporters gathered on the field and set ablaze a metal ring in the shape of the school’s Dragon mascot.
It was an appropriate postgame setting. They had lots of stories to tell around the fire about the game that had just unfolded.
The Dragons (2-4, BIIF Division I) notched a trio of pick-sixes against a pass-heavy Waiakea squad and plowed their way for nearly 300 yards rushing as a team to break a four-game losing streak with a 38-7 victory.
“Beautiful night for football,” Honokaa head coach Fred Lau said. “We try every week, but it’s nice to get this one. These kids deserve it.”
Running out of its stout flexbone offense, the Dragons chipped away until they found a hole. While a lot of carries went for no gain or just a few yards, Honokaa kept with it and notched seven runs over 20 yards.
While Lau was happy with the win, he knows the key is consistency when relying on the run to not get behind schedule.
“We need to find that,” Lau said when asked about consistency. “We understand it’s a process.”
Senior speedster Kalaijah Salazar found the most success, collecting 83 yards on the ground. He also caught two passes for 49 yards, giving him an average of over 16 yards per touch. Lau said there was a concerted effort to get Salazar the ball not only because he’s one of the team’s most explosive playmakers, but also to send him out on a high note for his final homecoming.
“It’s very satisfying to be able to get this win on homecoming,” Salazar said. “I’m happy to be able to do it with all these guys.”
When asked about his heavy workload and extra dirty jersey, he responded: “That’s how I like it.”
Keenan Pahio, Diesel Martinez, and Kaialii Nakamoto all had over 50 yards rushing for the Dragons.
When the offense sputtered, Honokaa relied on its defense, which enforced a strict no fly zone. Waiakea did not get the memo.
The designed runs that were called by the Warriors could be counted on one hand and the team finished a combined 9-of-49 for 138 yards — more than 90 of that coming on two long plays down the sideline. Ka’ikeao Kealoha Kane-Kalua recorded 114 yards receiving for Waiakea.
Jahsaiah Yoshizumi, Antone Cootey and Kaiah Badon all had interception return TDs.
Lau pointed to linebacker Trey Gomes as the catalyst in the strong defensive effort.
“He’s the heart and soul for us,” Lau said. “He did plenty of stuff that spectators might not see, but we see it as coaches and appreciate it very much.”
Waiakea (0-6) scored its only touchdown just before half when backup QB Reyn Segovia-Tanonaka came in and tossed a perfectly placed ball to Vance Kamau, narrowing the gap to one score at 14-7 at the break. Starting quarterback Justin Nakamoto-Baltazar exited just before the touchdown with an injury.
The victory will recharge the Dragons’ fire, but they’ll have to get to work preparing for a gauntlet the next three weeks that includes Hilo, Kealakehe and Konawaena — three teams they lost to by a combined 175-0 the first time through the schedule.
“We will keep fighting,” Salazar said. “We never stop — until the end. That’s Honokaa football.”
SCORING SUMMARY
First quarter
HONOKAA — Kaialii Nakamoto 1-yard touchdown run (2-point pass)
HONOKAA — Antone Cootey 27-yard interception return (2-point fail)
Second quarter
WAIAKEA — Reyn Segovia-Tanonaka to Vance Kamau 8-yard pass to Vance Kamau (kick good)
Third quarter
HONOKAA — Jahsaiah Yoshizumi 62-yard pass from Nakamoto (2-point run)
Fourth quarter
HONOKAA — Kaiah Badon 73-yard interception return (2-point pass)
HONOKAA — Jahsaiah Yoshizumi 51-yard interception return (2-point pass)
Waiakea 0 7 0 0 —7
Honokaa 8 6 8 16 — 38
