There is no shortage of questions entering the Big Island Interscholastic Federation football playoffs. ADVERTISING There is no shortage of questions entering the Big Island Interscholastic Federation football playoffs. Can Konawaena make it four in a row in Division II?
There is no shortage of questions entering the Big Island Interscholastic Federation football playoffs.
Can Konawaena make it four in a row in Division II? Will Hilo claim a second straight Division I title? Can perennial title contender Kealakehe regain its championship swagger? Will Kamehameha continue its climb to its first league title since 2010, or will Hawaii Preparatory Academy rise up for its first championship run since 2009?
All those questions will be answered in a hurry, during the BIIF’s two-week playoff.
The top seeds hope to remain steady, build momentum and take care of business while avoiding costly injuries. The lower seeded teams have upset on their minds, knowing just one win will land them a chance to play for a championship.
Here is what to watch for in the first-round playoff matchups:
DIVISION I: No. 3 Waiakea (2-5, 2-7) at No. 2 Kealakehe (3-4, 3-5)
– Saturday, after 5 p.m. JV
While Kealakehe is hosting this Division I semifinal matchup, Waiakea has the head-to-head advantage, having won 24-21 on a last-second field goal when the teams met earlier this season.
That win is the highlight of the Warriors season. Waiakea has lost three in a row since, struggling to find consistency on offense and giving up points in bunches on defense.
Most of the team’s offensive struggles have been caused by getting behind early and having to chase with an ineffective pass game. In the team’s regular season finale against Hilo, sophomore quarterback Gehrig Octavio was 5 of 24 for 40 yards with two picks.
On the ground is where the Warriors excel, and it’s how the team beat the Waveriders earlier this season. Waiakea ran for 231 yards on 56 attempts from multiple contributors. Pono Auwae, Octavio and Joe Ongais each had more than 10 attempts and more than 50 yards.
Saturday’s game plan will be similar if the Warriors hope to keep Kealakehe out of the title tilt for the first time since 2002.
Kealakehe has had a roller coaster season of its own, and comes in having to rebound from a season-worst offensive performance — a 20-0 loss against rival Konawaena.
The Waveriders entered the fourth quarter with negative yardage, only breaking into the black after two long completions late in the game by backup quarterback Kaimi Wilson.
Konawaena brought a variety of blitzes, and the Waveriders couldn’t block the pressure up front. The running game was bottled up, and starting QB Markus Degrate had no time to throw.
Kealakehe managed 26 yards of total offense, minus-45 running the ball.
Degrate had a breakout game against Waiakea, despite the loss, sparking Kealakehe’s comeback attempt with 57 rushing yards on eight carries, going 12 of 23 for 154 yards with a TD and a pick. He followed it up with another big game against Keaau.
But no quarterback can be effective without protection. Degrate faced constant pressure against Konawaena and the routes and reads never developed.
The team’s offensive woes also affected the defensive side of the ball. The Kealakehe defense was on the field all but two plays in the third quarter and looked exhausted.
The Waveriders have struggled against teams with power running games, including Maui and Waiakea. Konawaena found a way to expose that in the second half, coming out in a jumbo set — with two additional linemen in the backfield — and pounding away for 239 rushing yards.
The special teams unit will also have to get to work. Konawaena recovered two onside kicks against the Waveriders in the third quarter, changing the complexion of the game.
Kealakehe is hungry for a rematch with Hilo, after losing 7-0 in the regular season to the defending D-I champs and not allowing an offensive score. But if the Waveriders hope to get there, the team needs to get back to the basics and come out with an easy to execute game plan on offense. The other pieces should fall into place if the offense can find some semblance of production.
DIVISION I: No. 4 Keaau (0-7 BIIF, 0-8 overall) vs. No. 1 Hilo (7-0, 8-0)
Saturday, 6 p.m.
The numbers tell the story for this matchup. Three weeks ago on the Cougar’s homecoming night, the Vikings went into Keaau and won 67-0.
The season numbers are nearly polar opposites for the two teams. The undefeated Vikings have outscored opponents 321-57 this season, while the Cougars have been outscored 75-362.
The challenge for Hilo in this semifinal matchup will be to guard against complacency and to keep emotions in check. A year ago in the same semifinal matchup, a heated exchange led to some pushing on the field and players leaving the bench. The end result was a handful of Hilo players being suspended for the title game.
If the Vikings can stay focused, the game should serve as a solid tuneup for the championship. Quarterback Sione Atuekaho can use the game to sync up with his receivers, and the offensive line and reigning BIIF Co-Offensive Player of the Year Tristin Spikes can build confidence and make sure everyone is on the same page heading into championship week.
DIVISION II: No. 4 Honokaa (2-5, 2-5) at No. 1 Kamehameha (5-2, 6-2)
Friday, 7 p.m.
The Warriors missed out on playing in the championship game last season, but senior quarterback Micah Kanehailua has led the way to the No. 1 seed for Kamehameha. The three-year starter has thrown for 1,482 yards, 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season.
Chase Peneku and Kaeo Batacan have also provided a one-two punch that has given the Warriors a respectable presence on the ground and Kanehailua extra time to work in the pocket.
Honokaa has come a long way from a winless season a year ago, but a road trip to take on top-seeded Kamehameha will be a tough test.
The Dragons’ offense hinges on quarterback play. In a 55-7 loss against Kamehameha the last time out, quarterback Nainoa Falk was just 4 of 22 for 89 yards with a touchdown and a pick. The junior QB has dual-threat ability but needs help from the guys around him. Pono Davis will lead the Warriors front seven in a relentless pursuit with a championship on their minds.
While Kamehameha routed Honokaa the last time out, the Warriors should not expect the same outcome. While Honokaa has failed to be consistent with strong play this season, the squad feeds off emotion and momentum. When things start rolling in Honokaa’s favor, it becomes hard to extinguish the Dragons’ fire. In a loss against HPA earlier this season, Kamehameha put the ball on the ground nine times and gave Ka Makani short fields multiple times. If the Warriors can win the turnover battle, execute on routine plays and manage an early lead, it will be tough for the Dragons to claw their way back into the matchup.
DIVISION II: No. 3 HPA at No. 2 Konawaena
Friday, 7 p.m.
HPA and Konawaena have provided some great playoff games over the past three years, and 2014 should be no different.
Konawaena — the defending D-II champion — is riding high, coming off a shutout win against crosstown rival Kealakehe.
The Wildcats entered the half with a narrow 7-0 lead, but came out with a smash mouth running game in a jumbo set, showing off a new wrinkle in an ever-evolving offense. From that point on, the offense dictated the pace of the game. It bodes well for Konawaena going forward, having the confidence to change things up and impose their will on opponents.
As a team, the Wildcats racked up 239 rushing yards, 204 of those coming from Algene Kelekolio and Bubba Ellis-Noa. Kelekolio, Cameron Howes and Tate “Baba” Hing had rushing scores.
HPA teams have historically improved as the season goes on and are hard to knock off in the playoffs. Ka Makani have won three in a row since falling to Konawaena in Kealakekua 27-20.
Senior quarterback Koa Ellis has led the way, throwing for 1,475 yards, 17 touchdowns and just six interceptions this season. He has thrown at least two touchdowns in all but one game this season, including his last two outings, where he has a 6-0 touchdown to interception ratio.
Last time out, HPA tight end Nicky Palleschi and Konawaena corner Luca Vartic battled out wide. The two will likely be reacquainted this game with a berth to the D-II championship game on the line.
Palleschi has been Ellis’ favorite target, hauling in 53 passes for 585 yards and seven touchdowns this season. The matchup with Vartic in the fourth week of the regular season was the first time that Palleschi had been held under 100 yards receiving, but he still managed a score. The 6-foot-5 tight end has gone over 100 yards four times this season and caught a touchdown in all but two games.
