Dragons flying high after opening win over Waveriders

KAILUA-KONA — There was plenty reason to celebrate for Honokaa (1-0 BIIF, 2-0 overall) on Friday night at Waverider Stadium, and it was a long time coming.

Helmets were waved, hugs and handshakes were handed out, and even some tears were shed as sophomore Kainalu Swift snagged the game-clinching interception, stymieing Kealakehe’s final effort for any late heroics. The emotional 12-7 victory was Honokaa’s first against Kealakehe (0-1, 0-2) since 2009, back when the Dragons won the Division I title.

“We got it done,” first-year Honokaa head coach Noeau Lindsey said. “It certainly wasn’t pretty, but we got it done.”

In the rain-soaked affair, both defenses came to play — a stark contrast to Honokaa’s preseason win against Waiakea where 11 touchdowns were scored in a 41-35 contest.

“For the defense, those 35 points last week didn’t tell the truth about them. We knew they were better than that,” Lindsey said. “We had to move some things around and step up our game. The boys had to realize the preparation it takes to play like this.”

The pivotal play of the game was a 4th and goal from the 5-yard line in the closing minutes. To get inside the 10, Kealakehe capitalized on its longest pass of the night — an almost 40-yard catch and run by Dallas “Malosi” Laasaga. After holding the Waveriders for three downs, it was gut-check time for the Dragons.

“They score, we lose,” Lindsey said. “We hold them, we have a chance.”

Kealakehe didn’t score, but would get one more chance with the ball. That ended in Swift’s pick, his second of the night and the fifth turnover of the second half for Kealakehe.

“That kid is a playmaker,” Lindsey said.

Honokaa quarterback Ocean Guerpo-Beamer followed up his five touchdown performance last week with 146 yards and a score on 9 of 21 passing. Most of that came in the first half, as he was sidelined with an injury for most of the second.

Sheltyn Carvalho filled in admirably, but got help from Honokaa’s athletic receiving corps. Kelvin Falk cracked the 100-yard receiving mark in the second half thanks to a short pass from Carvalho that he turned into an 80-yard gain.

“We lost a quarterback in the process, but learned our second QB can do just enough to win it,” Lindsey said.

The Dragons looked good in victory, sporting their away whites with smatters of bright green and what coach Lindsey called “Vegas Gold.”

“I played in those colors back in 1996,” said Lindsey, a proud Honokaa grad. “Hopefully it will be something the community enjoys.”

The most noticeable part of the jerseys, however, were not the colors. It was P.R.I.D.E. — standing for perseverance, respect, integrity, determination and enthusiasm — printed on the nameplate.

“They know what the P.R.I.D.E. on their back means. Everyone is buying in,” Lindsey said. “Like I’ve said before, I inherited an awesome team with super talented players. It’s just guiding these kids in the right direction.”

For now that direction is up. The Dragons face winless Waiakea (0-1, 0-4) in Week 2 on Sept. 3.

Waverider woes

On the other sideline, Kealakehe has to pick up the pieces and move forward from a tough opening loss.

“It’s just getting back to the basics — focusing on the execution,” Kealakehe head coach Sam Kekuaokalani said. “After the game, we told the boys the goal is still the same — no matter what. We just have to use this to get better.”“

It was a series of unfortunate events for the Waverider offense, which never got going outside of two long plays. But despite that, the Waveriders were within striking distance the entire game.

“We felt like we were just one play away,” Kekuaokalani said. “We were just one step off for most of the game.”

Kealakehe is not the only Division I team looking to get on track. Including the preseason, DI teams are a combined 2-7 — which becomes a topic of conversation with BIIF DI teams getting two spots into the HHSAA state tournament this season.

The Waveriders head to Waimea next week to take on Hawaii Prep.