HONOKA‘A — A slew of BIIF flag football action took place during Saturday along the overcast Hamakua Coast, as four games were hosted by Honoka‘a High School.
One of the matchups was the first meeting of the season between a Division I and Division-II powerhouse — Hawaii Preparatory Academy against Waiakea.
While Ka Makani struggled to move the ball early, the red and white found life soon enough with their creative run schemes and tactical defense— heading back to Waimea with a 31-12 win over the Warriors.
Second-year head coach Lauren Prutow-McKenna was pleased with the red and white’s efforts on the business trip.
“I feel very honored to coach this team,” she told the paper postgame. “They make me proud every single day. While I do not think we played our absolute best, every single player on our team had great moments contributing to our win. Waiakea has good athletes, and they came to play, which I love. It makes for good sport.”
HPA improved to an impressive 8-0 — already matching their win total from 2025. With the HHSAA adding divisional championships to this year’s flag football season, Ka Makani remains one of the premier favorites to clinch the first-ever BIIF Division-II title — averaging 34.4 points per game while allowing less than a point thus far. Six other HPA wins were shutouts.
Before island playoffs begin on May 1, Ka Makani will next face Honoka‘a on Tuesday back on the Hamakua Coast and Hilo on Friday at HPA’s campus. The team is excited, eager and ready to show not just the BIIF what it can do, but the entire state.
“We are excited for the remainder of the season,” Prutow-McKenna said. “I believe in this team and know they can continue to do great things. We have big goals this season and are focused and excited about all the possibilities that lie ahead.”
Waiakea dropped to 4-3, and has lost three of its last four games. The BIIF DI squad averages nearly 19 points per game, and has two bouts left with Konawaena this week before playoffs — the first on Wednesday, and the second Saturday.
The afternoon began with HPA running back Madie Buczyna slithering through Warrior defenders all the way to the pylons on the first play of the game, but the touchdown was immediately called back after a penalty was spotted in the backfield. Waiakea then forced a turnover on downs, which gave the team prime field position on offense. Soon enough, sophomore quarterback Halee Toomey connected with Cheyla Torres for a short touchdown pass to take the early lead.
After the Warriors stopped Ka Makani’s offense again, Waiakea then marched downfield with a healthy balance of short passes and smart run plays. Toomey was elusive with her legs to avoid HPA’s aggressive rush — running for gains of her own and connecting with her receivers on off-platform plays, such as her throw to Kaia Stimson for a big gain.
But once Waiakea reached HPA’s five-yard line, Ka Makani dialed in defensively and confused the Warriors — making a timely stop to avoid going down two scores early. HPA responded with two big run plays from senior Madie Buczyna, using her shiftiness to carry Ka Makani onto the Warriors’ side of the field. But again, Waiakea made a key stop to force a punt.
HPA didn’t get on the board until inside the five-minute mark of the second quarter, as senior Tet Detwiler finished an incredible catch-and-run play for the touchdown. Buczyna redeemed herself from earlier in game with a long rushing touchdown just a few minutes later.
With less than two minutes remaining in the half, Ka Makani quarterback Harley Kaniho rushed the ball to the Waiakea 1-yard line, and senior Adrianna Carrion finished the drive with a short rushing touchdown through the middle.
Despite the slower start, HPA finished the half about as perfect as one could ask for.
“Our girls are incredible,” Prutow-McKenna added. “They practice how they play— deliberately with drive, heart and integrity. They lift each other up and highlight each other’s successes while not letting mistakes bring them down.
“This mentality enables them to shift momentum when they need and adapt. We exemplified that (in this game).”
The second half featured two HPA interceptions — one from Buczyna and the other from Iliana Mandaloniz. The sophomore Mandaloniz also scored. Waiakea alternated quarterback play between Toomey and freshman Madison Parks. In the fourth quarter, the youngster signal caller connected with senior Machaela Burke on a short touchdown throw to score the Warriors’ final points of the afternoon.
Ka Makani also gave some snaps to backup quarterback Kaiulani Honda, who is a sophomore.
Other games
• 4/11 Ka‘u 54, Paliku 0
• 4/11 Kealakehe 41, Pahoa 0
• 4/11 Honoka‘a 13, Kea‘au 6
