High school football: Ka Makani offense finds its footing against Keaau

WAIMEA — Hawaii Preparatory Academy entered Saturday’s game against Keaau still searching for an identity on offense — struggling to move the ball and put up points consistently.

WAIMEA — Hawaii Preparatory Academy entered Saturday’s game against Keaau still searching for an identity on offense — struggling to move the ball and put up points consistently.

That all disappeared on Ka Makani’s first drive against the Cougars.

Kevin Durkin took a pitch 20 yards on the first play from scrimmage, and then 6-foot-2, 210-pound running back Anthony Palleschi outran the Keaau defense for a 45-yard touchdown on the next play.

That first drive would be indicative of how the rest of the game would go for Ka Makani’s triple option, ground and pound attack, as they overwhelmed Keaau 37-6 for their first win of the season.

“It was important for us to get on the board early and get that momentum going,” Hawaii Prep head coach Jordan Hayslip said. “I think we are getting better every week. The offense improved today and the defense stepped up too.”

Palleschi finished with 79 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, and Justin Perry accounted for 80 yards and two more scores.

While the duo recorded the majority of Ka Makani’s 293 rushing yards, the team hit double digits in players who carried the ball. Some of it was because of the large lead, but it is also a product of the offense.

“That is a fun thing for us,” Hayslip said. “A lot of guys were able to get in the game, carry the ball and pick up yardage. That is how this offense works.”

The tenacious Hawaii Prep (1-1 BIIF DII, 1-2 overall) defense accounted for two first half safeties — both on stray Cougar snaps — and held Keaau to negative first half yardage. Michael Hanano and Durkin had interceptions. Palleschi recorded 11 total tackles — 4.5 for a loss.

Senior kicker Alex Brost booted two field goals just over 30 seconds apart to close out the first half, including a 52-yarder as time expired that had room to spare.

“That was probably the longest field goal I have seen on this field,” Hayslip said. “Fun way to end the half.”

With the run game hitting on all cylinders, Ka Makani did not even think about the pass. The team only attempted three passes in the contest. However, the quarterback does play an important role in the offense — making the decision when to hand off, keep or pitch the ball.

Sophomore Kekoa LeBlanc took the majority of the snaps under center, and freshman Sheldon Aribal also saw some time, but Hayslip said nothing is set in stone and choosing a starter will still be a week-to-week decision.

On the other side of the ball, the Cougars (0-2, 0-3) looked like a work in progress. Keaau managed a few first downs in the second quarter, but were hampered by fumbles, bad snaps and penalties. The Cougars longest play of the first half — a 25-yard pass on fourth and 10 from their own 30 — was called back by a penalty.

For as rough as the first half went for the Cougars, the team came out motivated to start the second half.

On the opening drive of the third quarter, quarterback Dillon Santos completed six of seven passes — including a 39-yarder — to get Keaau in the red zone. Santos capped the drive with a 16-yard pass to Charles Caldwell-Kaai.

Another highlight for the Cougars was a fourth quarter goal line stand, but with the clock running because of the large deficit, Keaau wouldn’t have much of a chance.

Keaau finished with 68 total yards (86 passing, negative 18 rushing).

HPA — 22 15 0 0

Keaau — 0 0 6 0

First quarter

HPA — Anthony Palleschi 45-yard run, Alex Brost kick good (11:22)

HPA — Justin Perry 8-yard run, Brost kick no good (no time)

HPA — Safety (no time)

HPA — Perry 19 yard run, Brost kick good (:12)

Second quarter

HPA — Safety (11:08)

HPA — Palleschi 4-yard run, Brost kick good (5:33)

HPA — Brost 34-yard FG (:32)

HPA — Brost 53-yard FG (:00)

Third quarter

KEAAU — Dillon Santos 16-yard pass to Charles Caldwell-Kaai, 2-point conversion no good