HILO — More of the same for Hilo meant a return to reality for Keaau.
HILO — More of the same for Hilo meant a return to reality for Keaau.
Kahale Huddleston engineered his fifth four-touchdown game of the season Friday night, and the Vikings dominated the Cougars 63-6 at Wong Stadium.
It was only the second home football game of the season for Hilo (5-1 BIIF Division I, 6-1), but its fans saw a script that has become all too familiar for opponents.
Huddleston ran for 136 yards in a half of work, including a 65-yard run for a score, giving the senior 27 touchdowns accounted for on the season.
If Kealakehe beats Waiakea on Saturday, Hilo’s regular-season finale at home against the Waveriders next weekend will determine home field for the BIIF Division I championship game.
The Cougars (2-4 BIIF Division, 2-4) entered with their first two-game winning streak since 2011, but they were held to minus-2 yards in the first half as the Vikings rattled off 44 points.
Kainalu Tiogangco opened the scoring with a short touchdown reception from Kaleo Apao, and then Hilo featured a heavy dose of Huddleston.
With the Vikings taking over at its 35 after a punt, Huddleston broke a tackle at the second level and raced down the left seam for a score.
Defensive lineman Kuresa Toledo intercepted Iokepa Laa to set up Huddleston’s second TD, and a 25-yard catch-and-run by Makana Kanehailua set up Huddleston’s fourth score, giving Hilo a 37-0 lead just midway through the second quarter.
Kanehailua had a nice night with five catches for 78 yards.
The Vikings forced five turnovers — Kainalu Lewis returned an interception for a score in the second half and Micah Bello had a first-half pick — and compiled five sacks.
Apao was 7 of 14 for 77 yards with a touchdown and an interception — Christopher Mamone caught a deflection in the end zone — before giving way to Kyan Miyasato, who threw a touchdown pass to Logan Respicio in the final minute of the first half and added another to Kyler Aguilar in the fourth quarter.
Tiogangco’s 50-plus yard kickoff return to open the second half led to Shesly Martinez’s TD run.
Laa was 6 of 16 for 62 yards with three interceptions, but the junior did hook up with John Walker for a score in the fourth quarter to avoid the shutout.