KEALAKEKUA – After thrashing the Vikings on their own home turf earlier this year, the Wildcats of Konawaena knew they’d be getting Hilo’s best effort at Julian Yates field Friday night.
The Vikings tested Konawaena more than any Big Island team has been able to do all year, but thanks to an impressive performance by the Wildcat defense, Konawaena was able to notch their seventh victory in a row, winning 27-0.
The Wildcat offense didn’t do their defense any favors, turning the ball over five times throughout the night. Led by a stout front seven, Konawaena’s defense was up for the task, recording their fourth shutout in a row.
“We talked about being adversity, being in a game where we had to climb our way out of holes,” said Konawaena head coach Brad Uemoto. “We wanted to see how our kids responded to the situations; defensively, we did great.”
In particular, Konawaena’s interior defensive linemen Chray Flanaray and Elias Malapit wreaked havoc in Hilo’s backfield, containing the Vikings’ mobile quarterback Kaohu Kaluna and forcing a number of sacks and intentional grounding penalties.
On the other side of the ball, the typically high-flying Wildcat attack – was held relatively in check for the first time all season. Coming into the game, Konawaena averaged 68 points per game in BIIF contests.
Runningback Kawelu Kaiawe played a crucial role on the ground, rushing for a pair of scores – one in the first quarter and another in the third – and helped the Konawaena offense grind out first downs late in the fourth quarter to put the game on ice.
Quarterback Keoki Alani struggled at times, throwing four interceptions, but also connected with Ro’o Satta-Ellis and Zedekiah Anahu-Ambrosio for touchdown passes in the second and fourth quarter, respectively.
Though the Wildcats will host Keaau next week in their regular-season finale, Friday’s contest serves as a preview of the upcoming BIIF Division I championship game. Konawaena (7-0) and Hilo (5-2) have already clinched the top two spots in the division. Uemoto knows his Wildcats need to be prepared for another battle if they’re to come away with their second consecutive BIIF title.
“We’ve got to be prepared for anything,” he said of the impending rematch. “Next game, something’s on the line.”
Honokaa 47, Pahoa 0
The Dragons recorded their second shutout of the season with a dominant victory over the Daggers Friday night. Honokaa remains unbeaten on the season, and will put their 8-0 record on the line Thursday, when they travel to second-place Kamehameha.
Thursday
Kamehameha 52, Kau 0
Kamehameha’s Michael Perry threw five touchdowns – two to Ty Watterson and Makaiokalani Snyder and one to Javan Feary – and the Warrior defense shut out their fourth opponent in a row to up their BIIF record to 7-1.
Kamehameha will square off against the undefeated Dragons of Honokaa on Thursday, looking to avenge their lone loss of the season.
Saturday
Keaau 48, Waiakea 12
The Cougars bounced back from a close loss against Hilo, racking up a season-best 48 points as they sent Waiakea to their sixth loss in a row.
Hawaii Prep 38, Kohala 7
Ka Makani took control against a struggling Cowboy team that has lost four in a row after opening their season at 2-2. Hawaii Prep (5-3) will host Pahoa next Saturday, while Kohala looks to get back on track with a roadtrip to Kau on Friday afternoon.
