Four west-side schools — Konawaena, Kealakehe, Kohala and Hawaii Prep — will compete in Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) football action across the island this weekend. Each matchup will be the second time teams have played each other in 2023.
With the regular season’s conclusion fast approaching, every game counts ahead of conference-championship weekend on Oct. 27-28.
NOTE: Start times for these games are subject to change.
Friday Sept. 29
Konawaena aims to stay unbeaten in BIIF
No. 8 Konawaena will take on Waiakea (0-5) for the second time this season at 5 p.m. at Julian R. Yates Field. The last time the Wildcats faced the Warriors on Aug. 19, they won 74-0 in their first win of the season.
Konawaena remains in sole control of the Division-I standings at 5-0 (6-1 overall). Per Scoring Live, quarterback Keoki Alani continues to lead Hawaii Division I in passing yards (2,642) and touchdowns (34) in 2023. His top three targets — Zedekiah Anahu-Ambrosio, Austin Takaki and Abraham Ogata — additionally all lead Division I in receiving yards.
The Wildcats are coming off a 47-0 rout of Hilo last weekend on the opposite end of the island. Through seven games, the defending state champions have scored 51.4 points and allowed 13.3 per game.
Waiakea, still in search of its first win of the season, lost 53-0 to Kea‘au on Saturday at home. The Warriors are averaging just four points and allowing nearly 48 points per contest.
Waveriders look to avenge Cougars
Kealakehe will play Kea‘au at 5 p.m. on the road. The two schools faced off Aug. 19 at Waverider Stadium, with Kea‘au winning 48-21.
The Waveriders (1-5 overall) are coming off a bye week after falling to No. 8 Konawaena on Sept. 14. The Waveriders have dealt with a number of injuries thus far, but remain competitive in games.
The Cougars (3-3 overall, 3-2 BIIF) are led by their strong air-attack offense, as quarterback Diego Pettypool is currently fourth in Division I in passing yards (927) and touchdowns (13) per Scoring Live. Pettypool has helped his offense average a healthy 30.8 points per game.
Kea‘au is coming off a 53-0 rout of Waiakea last weekend after losing two straight. Just a half game behind Hilo, the Cougars hope to move up to second in BIIF Division-I standings with a win.
Saturday Sept. 30
Kohala still in search of first win
Kohala will host Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i (KSH) at 11 a.m. for the second time this season. The Cowboys and Warriors faced each other Aug. 18, with KSH winning 48-7.
Kohala (0-6 overall) has fought hard in all of its matchups, but fallen short near the end. With playmakers on both sides of the ball such as Hezekiah Wilson, Isaiah Antonio and Tirus Perez, the Cowboys will try to put together a complete game against the Warriors.
KSH (8-0 overall) has dominated Division II all season, averaging 35 points and allowing 3.9 points per game. Quarterback Adam Perry’s smart game management has helped the Warriors remain atop of the standings — throwing for 1,359 yards and 14 touchdowns thus far (Scoring Live). Running back Ethan Bowden has also been a strong contributor, leading BIIF Division I and II in rushing yards (394) and touchdowns (eight).
Ka Makani gets second shot at Dragons
HPA will host Honoka‘a at 3 p.m. for the second matchup of the season between the two programs. The Dragons narrowly beat Ka Makani 13-12 on Aug. 18 in Honoka‘a.
HPA (3-2 overall) is coming off a 28-12 victory over Pahoa last Thursday. Ka Makani has been led by its stout run game all season, mostly from running backs Alakai Aipia and Ekela Livingston. Sitting right behind the Dragons (4-2) in the Division-II ranks, Ka Makani hopes to leapfrog Honoka‘a for second in the conference.
The Dragons are looking to redeem themselves after being shut out by KSH last weekend. Honoka‘a is led by running back Kupa‘a Langan.
