Kealakehe (3-2 overall, 2-0 BIIF DI)
Kealakehe (3-2 overall, 2-0 BIIF DI)
Players to watch: Riggs Kurashige (RB); Klein Hao (DB); Joseph Kaopua (DL); Randy Hatori (LB)
Hawaii Prep (1-2 overall, 1-1 BIIF DII)
Players to watch: Anthony Palleschi (RB/LB); Justin Perry (Skill); Kevin Durkin (Skill); Kanai Gaughen (RB/LB/DE)
Hawaii Preparatory Academy and Kealakehe battled in a knockdown, drag out 14-7 game in Waimea last year, with the Waveriders escaping with the narrow victory.
While some things have changed, this year is shaping up to be more of the same when Kealakehe hosts Hawaii Prep on Friday at 7 p.m.
A ground and pound offense and a stout defense helped lead Ka Makani to its first win of the season last week against Keaau. Hawaii Prep also saw Division II rival Honokaa push Kealakehe to the brink last week, so a win against the Waveriders would be a huge morale boost entering the midway point of the season with divisional matchups on the horizon.
After a tumultuous preseason, the Waveriders seem to have righted the ship in the regular season, pulling out wins against Kamehameha and Honokaa. But despite its perfect BIIF record, Kealakehe does have a few question marks scattered around the gridiron that need answering.
Kealakehe offense: Kealakehe hung on for a win last week against Honokaa, despite being outgained in total offense.
Sophomore quarterback Anthony “Head” Trevino has been given the starting nod in both games this season. In the opener against the Warriors, the youngster struggled with the passing game, completing 5-19 for 39 yards. However, he did complete passes to five different receivers — the longest going for 16 yards — and added a rushing score.
In his second start, Trevino showed signs of improvement, completing 9-18 passes for 64 yards. He threw his first BIIF touchdown from 30 yards out, but also threw an interception. After two BIIF games as the starter, he has completed 14 of 37 passes for 103 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Two wins as a young starting QB is a big positive, but has he made enough of an impact according to the coaching staff to keep the job?
Honokaa’s defensive pressure was tough on the youngster, so in a close game, senior QB Markus Degrate was inserted and was able to add another running threat to the backfield. He ripped off some nice runs with his speed and quickness, but also accounted for a safety on an intentional grounding call in the end zone.
It will be interesting to see how the QB situation pans out, but the bottom line for the Waverider’s is that they have to continue getting better as a team.
The scat back combo of Riggs Kurishige and Akoni Demello accounted for 165 rushing yards against Honokaa, both carrying the ball 15 times. Look for the ‘Rider’s to execute a ground and pound attack against Ka Makani, hoping to wear down the Hawaii Prep players pulling double-duty. Bruising backs Ini Paio and Kobe Antolin possibly returning this week would help that cause.
However, Hawaii Prep’s defensive unit put Keaau in the red last week in terms of rushing yards (negative 18) and allowed just 68 total yards. History has shown that Hawaii Prep teams improve greatly as the season progresses. This year, a strong group of seniors and experienced players have Ka Makani poised to make some noise in the BIIF.
HPA offense: After two weeks of struggling on offense for the majority of the game, Hawaii Prep got the ball moving against Keaau, and in a hurry.
On Ka Makani’s first drive, the offense showed its potential to be a home run hitter. Kevin Durkin took a sweep 20 yards, and then Anthony Palleschi left everyone in the dust on a 45-yard sprint to the end zone.
Any team would love for that to happen every possession — but it’s not realistic. What Ka Makani can do is live by the philosophy of the option offense and wear the opponent’s defenses down with a stable of runners. In the blowout against Keaau, 10 players carried the ball.
The most important thing for Hawaii Prep is staying on schedule, picking up chunks of yardage every play, converting short third downs and then taking advantage of opportunities to break big gains. Even one play for a loss can stop a drive right in its tracks. Justin Perry, Palleschi, and Durkin all have the speed and vision for momentum swinging plays.
If Hawaii Prep gets behind and in a passing situation, it won’t be good. The team is averaging just 32 yards passing per game, compared to 215 on the ground.
Sophomore Kekoa LeBlanc has looked the most comfortable under center, but head coach Jordan Hayslip has been adamant that it is a week-to-week battle. LeBlanc has completed 9-of-11 passes this season for 54 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Offensive edge: Kealakehe
Kealakehe defense: The Waveriders defense has established themselves as an aggressive and tenacious group, with what may be the most disruptive front four on the island.
However, the secondary just gave up two TDs and almost 400 yards passing last week in Honokaa.
Talking to defensive coordinator and secondary coach Steve Cox, he feels his team must execute, and improve their ability to make plays when the ball is in the air.
The Kealakehe defense is allowing an average of 18 points a game in the BIIF, and is holding Big Island squads to under 40 yards per game rushing. But, Kealakehe has given up a whopping 300 yards average in the passing a game.
Despite that, the Waverider defense has held firm in the red zone on several occasions, especially in the waning moments of last week’s game with the Dragons threatening inside the five-yard line.
Stopping HPA’s triple option run attack presents a new challenge for the unit. Ka Makani’s strength will be running right at the Waverider defense.
First downs are always crucial for option teams, so if Kealakehe can force Hawaii Prep into third-and-long situations, it will put the Waveriders in position to win. If HPA can somehow muster a passing game, their chances for success are heightened.
Assignment defense will be key for the Waveirders, keeping track of who has the ball. The discipline of Ka Makani vs. the aggressive ‘Rider’s front seven makes for an interesting matchup.
Hawaii Prep defense: The point totals given up by the Hawaii Prep defense have been a little deceiving so far this season.
The offense struggled against Damien and Hilo, which led to the unit being on the field a lot. But playing under the lights and away from the Waimea elevation might put a little extra oxygen in Hawaii Prep’s lungs.
Middle linebacker Anthony Palleschi leads the unit with 31 tackles and four sacks. Kanai Gaughen has also been an asset at outside linebacker and with his hand down as a pass rusher. They will keep whoever is behind center for the Waveriders uncomfortable in the pocket.
After a shaky performance against Hilo — where the secondary gave up TD passes of 30, 80 and 68 yards — the Hawaii Prep unit feasted on the still under construction Cougar offense. Durkin and Michael Hanano had interceptions.
Kealakehe has relied on the run game for big plays, and Kurashige has produced most of them. Like the teams before them, Hawaii Prep needs to key on the ‘Riders primary playmaker.
Against Hilo, the secondary got lulled to sleep by runs and short passes. While the quarterback situation is still unsettled, the Waveriders showed their big play potential in a comeback attempt in the preseason.
Defensive edge: Kealakehe
Special teams: Hawaii Prep’s Alex Brost booted a 52-yard field goal last week against Keaau, sending a message that he is among the elite kickers in the state.
For Kealakehe, kicker Kolby Martin has been a solid addition for the special teams unit. On returns, Kurashige continues to churn out production, and should be kicked away from.
Special teams edge: Hawaii Prep
Final picks
De Groote: Kealakehe 24, HPA 22
Papalii: Kealakehe 18, HPA 17
OTHER GAMES
Keaau (0-2. 0-4) at Konawaena (2-0, 4-0)
While no game is a gimme, a matchup of the BIIF’s lone undefeated squad in Konawaena and a mightily struggling Keaau team that has been outscore 138-32 should not be close. Not to mention it will be the Wildcats’ homecoming.
De Groote: Konawaena 45, Keaau 7
Papalii: Konawaena 46, Keaau 6
Hilo (1-1, 1-3) at Kamehameha-Hawaii (1-1, 4-1)
It’s a battle of east side supremacy between last year’s BIIF champions in DI and DII.
Quarterback Ka’ale Tiogangco continues to be the workhorse for the Hilo offense. Despite a loss at Konawaena on Monday, the junior QB had a solid outing and nearly sparked a comeback win.
Kamehameha-Hawaii got a better game from Waiakea in their second matchup of the young season, but still pulled out a 39-27 win.
De Groote: KS-Hawaii 27, Hilo 20
Papalii: Hilo 31, KS-Hawaii 28
Honokaa (1-1, 1-3) at Waiakea (0-2, 0-5)
Honokaa took away a lot of positives after its best performance of the season against Kealakehe, despite a loss. Senior Nainoa Falk is showing poise and efficency at the quarterback position, which will be essential for Honokaa going forward. That offense should keep on rolling against a Waiakea defense that has given up an average of 44 points per week.
De Groote: Honokaa 35, Waiakea 20
Papalii: Honokaa 27, Waiakea 24