Hawaii Preparatory Academy football opens its season this weekend with a tall task.
Hawaii Preparatory Academy football opens its season this weekend with a tall task.
Ka Makani will play Honokaa — the 2022 Big Island Division II champions — this Friday on the road. The Dragons finished 10-2 overall and 9-1 in the conference last season, averaging 28.5 points and allowing under nine points per game. After claiming the Division II title, Honokaa went all the way to the state semifinals before falling to Waimea 17-0.
“Fred has that team roaring,” HPA head coach Lincoln Kalama said of Dragons coach Fred Lau. “We’re just going to have to make a lot of adjustments as the game goes on and see what we can do to try and stop the Division II champs.”
While the matchup will be a challenge, Kalama has been impressed with the work ethic his players have displayed over the last several days in preparation for the opener. Coming off a 6-4 2022 season and finishing third in the division, Ka Makani is hoping to build off last year’s foundation to make a push for the state playoffs.
With that being said, there is no better way to continue that trajectory than playing one of the top schools on the island.
“The kids have been energized,” he said. “We are definitely gelling better than before. There’s a few things we need to work on, but other than that, we look great.
“I’m just looking for us to mesh together (in the season opener).”
Friday’s kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. at Honokaa.
