KEA‘AU — Kea‘au HS’ football team defeated Kealakehe HS 55-14 on Friday night, moving to a 4-2 BIIF DI record.
On their opening drive, the Cougars moved quickly into the redzone and scored as quarterback Diego Pettypool connected a ten-yard touchdown pass to Sean Randall.
The Waveriders responded, with Hercules Nahale carrying in a seven-yard touchdown at the end of a long drive.
Kea‘au bounced back with another fruitful drive into the redzone, capped off by Pettypool and Randall’s second touchdown connection.
Kealakehe began another long offensive effort, but was forced to punt shortly after the second quarter began. After getting the ball back, the Cougars were also stopped and forced to punt.
The defensive stalemate continued until later in the quarter, when Kea‘au’s Josiah Nihoa ran to the outside, then upfield 35 yards for a touchdown.
It was all downhill from there for the Waveriders, who were stopped again on their subsequent drive. Less than a couple of minutes later and just before halftime, Pettypool and Randall connected once again for a 30-yard touchdown pass.
Kea‘au continued to dominate throughout the second half of the game.
The Cougars’ most important game of the season is slated for 6 p.m. Thursday — when Kea‘au will host Hilo HS (3-2).
The pair’s last bout was a back-and-forth, emotional battle which ended with the Vikings pulling away in the second half to win 29-22.
All that Kea‘au needs in order to take the No. 2 BIIF DI standing from Hilo is a victory of greater than seven points.
Kealakehe, now 1-4 in BIIF DI and 1-6 overall, will have a chance Friday to get its first home victory.
The Waveriders will host Waiakea, which they defeated 34-14 in early September.
Kealakehe’s game against Waiakea will be the first of a three-game homestead. Over the following two weeks, the Waveriders will host Hilo before ending their season with a game against Konawaena (6-0 BIIF DI, 7-1 ovr.).
The Cougars only have one game remaining after Hilo — their final home game on Oct. 13 against Konawaena.