KEALAKEKUA — They reached the end zone in almost every way possible Friday at Julian Yates field, tying a Big Island Interscholastic Federation record for most points scored in a game by one team.
KEALAKEKUA — They reached the end zone in almost every way possible Friday at Julian Yates field, tying a Big Island Interscholastic Federation record for most points scored in a game by one team.
But on a day when they lost one of their best players to a season-ending injury, records didn’t mean all that much to the Konawaena Wildcats.
Junior quarterback Lii Karratti threw four touchdown passes for the third time this season, and the Wildcats’ defense scored three more touchdowns as Konawaena defeated Ka‘u 86-0 in a BIIF Division II football game.
Konawaena (2-0 BIIF Division II, 4-1 overall) tied the single-game scoring record originally set by the Wildcats in 1984. In the process, Konawaena, which led 73-0 at halftime, also forced seven turnovers, returned a punt for a touchdown and ran back a kickoff for another score.
Throughout the game, however, many Konawaena players had their minds on senior defensive back Austin Denis, who broke his left leg while chasing down a muffed punt with 9 minutes, 24 seconds left in the first quarter.
“It was real hard (to play after the injury),’’ Wildcats senior linebacker Mikey Rabara said. “I could see how emotional the team was.
“But we had to play football, and Austin wouldn’t have quit on us.’’
Rabara then made a promise for his teammate.
“(We will win) a state championship for Austin,’’ Rabara said.
After the injury, Konawaena coach Cliff Walters called over a pastor, and the team said a prayer for Denis. The Wildcats broke their huddle by shouting “one, two, three, Austin.”
“We feel for our comrade, and we’re sad for him,’’ Walters said. “But for some of them, it was more than they can handle.’’
The Wildcats defense handled the Trojans (0-2, 0-2) in the first quarter, getting three three-and-outs, a turnover on downs and two interceptions from senior defensive back Ryan Torres-Torioka. That made life easy for Konawaena’s offense, which started its first three drives inside the Ka‘u 35-yard line.
Senior John Kamoku carried the ball just four times, but he gained 90 yards and rushed for three touchdowns. The second of his three scores gave Konawaena a 21-0 lead with 6:29 left in the first quarter.
Kamoku and Karratti, who completed 6 of 10 passes for 138 yards, only played in the first half. Karratti connected with four different receivers — Dishon Cho, Chase Takaki, Kenan Gaspar and Domonic Morris — on his touchdown passes.
Walters said he didn’t want to run up the score on the Trojans, but the defense and the Wildcats special teams units made that task difficult in the first half.
Jordan Miyahira-Young and Brandon Awa returned fumbles for 65- and 13-yard touchdowns, respectively, Kawika Kealoha returned an interception 32 yards for a score, and Luka Vartic took a punt back 38 yards for a score.
Bubba Ellis-Noa, one of the upbacks on Konawaena’s kickoff return team, ran back the opening kickoff of the second half 50 yards for a touchdown.
“We want to respect our opponent,’’ Walters said.
A stingy Konawaena run defense held Ka‘u to minus-59 yards on 26 carries.
The Trojans didn’t gain positive yardage on the ground until senior Nathaniel Kauhi carried the ball for 4 yards with 7:19 left in the first half.
Senior Cy Tamura gave Ka‘u a spark in the first half, hauling in a 35-yard reception from sophomore quarterback Chance Emmsley and giving the Trojans a first down on the Konawaena 30. But Miyahira-Young followed the big play with his fumble recovery return for a touchdown.
Emmsley finished the game 4-of-19 for 33 yards and four interceptions.
“It was a rough game, but all the boys played hard,’’ Trojans coach DuWayne Ke said.
Ka‘u 0 0 0 0 — 0
Konawaena 34 39 6 7 — 86
First quarter
Kon — Dishon Cho 14 pass from Lii Karratti (John Replogle kick), 8:35
Kon — John Kamoku 12 run (Replogle kick), 7:13
Kon — Kamoku 12 run (Replogle kick), 6:28
Kon — Jordan Miyahira-Young 65 fumble recovery return (Replogle kick), 5:16
Kon — Kenan Gaspar 23 pass from Karratti (kick failed), 2:21
Second quarter
Kon — Chase Takaki 21 pass from Karratti (kick failed), 11:35
Kon — Kawika Kealoha 32 interception return (kick failed), 11:17
Kon — Luka Vartic 38 punt return (kick failed), 8:43
Kon — Kamoku 49 run (Gaspar kick), 6:18
Kon — Domonic Morris 10 pass from Karratti (Gaspar kick), 2:58
Kon — Brandon Awa 13 fumble recovery return (Gaspar kick), 1:40
Third quarter
Kon — Bubba Ellis-Noa 50 kickoff return (run failed), 11:48
Fourth quarter
Kon — Cho 10 run (Gaspar kick), 2:44
c Hilo 28, Keaau 25: Check out westhawaiitoday.com for the complete story on the Vikings’ narrow win.
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