KEALAKEKUA — Playoffs? Are we already talkin’ about playoffs?
Yes, indeed.
It’s still September and postseason implications are aplenty around the BIIF, despite some teams just hitting the halfway mark of their seasons.
Both Konawaena (3-0) and Kamehameha-Hawaii (2-1) have shots to clinch Division II championship game berths — the Wildcats on the road tonight against Honokaa and the Warriors at Hawaii Preparatory Academy on Saturday afternoon.
Due to weather postponements, Ka Makani and Honokaa are two of just three teams in the BIIF that have played four games this season. Both are winless and would be mathmatically eliminated from title game contention with another loss.
Konawaena and Kamehameha have faced off in every D-II championship since 2014. The teams meet in a potential championship preview Oct. 6 in Kealakekua.
Things are a little more complicated on the Division I side of things, outside of Hilo (3-0), which has the inside route to the top seed and home field.
Kealakehe (2-1) has important divisional games the next two weekends against Keaau and Waiakea, which has surged to a 3-1 start after a winless season a year ago. The Cougars (1-3) need an upset win over the ‘Riders of Viks to stay alive in the championship chase.
Here’s what to watch this weekend around the BIIF:
Keaau at Kealakehe, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
After a stunning 45-23 loss to D-I rival Hilo a week ago, the Waveriders will be looking to rebound from their first blemish in BIIF play against the Cougars on homecoming night.
Kealakehe quarterback Jorden Himalaya continues to put up big numbers in the Waveriders’ up-tempo, spread offense, but tossed two interceptions returned for touchdowns against the Viks. As a team, the Waveriders will be looking to take care of the ball better, with four turnovers against Hilo turning into 28 points last weekend.
Keaau was denied a second consecutive win last week against Waiakea, coming up short on a two-point conversion for the win with less than a minute left in the game.
The Cougars haven’t beat the Waveriders since 2007.
Konawaena at Honokaa, Friday,
7:30 p.m.
The highest scoring offense in the BIIF rolls into Honokaa looking to extend a league winning streak to 19 games.
While the offense lit up the scoreboard in a romp over Hawaii Prep last week, the defense posted the most impressive stat line with a combined 15 sacks of Ka Makani QBs. Defensive end-linebacker Alex Muti led the way with four.
Sheynen Nahale continues to impress with big numbers, but coach Brad Uemoto will want to see better decision making from his freshman QB. In back to back weeks opponents have registered interception return TDs against the Wildcats.
Honokaa let a winnable game get away in Week 1 against Waiakea, but have faced a BIIF gauntlet since. The contest against the Wildcats wraps up a four-game stand that included Hilo, Kealakehe and Kamehameha — all playoff teams.
Kamehameha at HPA Saturday, 2 p.m.
The Warriors got a spark on offense last weekend with Kaimi Like back under center. He fired three touchdowns in a lopsided win over Honokaa and brought a semblance of balance back to the unit. That bodes well going forward for Kamehameha.
Things were over before they go started on many occasions for Hawaii Prep against Konawaena, with a herd of Wildcats setting up camp in the backfield. However, even with the game out of hand, Ka Makani kept up the fight late into the fourth quarter, nearly adding a late score before being turned away from the 1-yard line.
It’s tradition for Ka Makani to play better down the stretch, which might be even more true this year with head coach Albert Cummings trying to integrate a lot of green first-year players into his system.
The secondary for Ka Makani has been the bright spot for the squad. Justin Lina had two picks against Konawaena last week — returning one for a score — and Hawaii Prep has notched multiple interceptions in three games this season.
Waiakea at Hilo, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Coming off a convincing 45-23 victory over D-I rival Kealakehe, Hilo still feels like it has room for improvement. That’s a scary thought for the rest of the BIIF and not good news for the Warriors, especially if Kyan Miyasato and the offense continues to click.
Miyasato returned to lead the offense last week, notching four first half touchdowns (3 passing, 1 rushing) to help the five-time BIIF champ Viks secure the win.
Waiakea has been the surprise of the BIIF season, reeling off a 3-1 start. However, facing Hilo at Wong Stadium will provide a litmus test unlike any other.
Eight-man: Pahoa (2-1) at Ka’u (2-0),
Saturday, 11 a.m.
The Trojans play their first home game of the season with room for error. They can secure a spot in the title game with a win – or a loss by 13 points or fewer.
Unless the Daggers can muster a huge turnaround from their 20-6 blackout-shortened loss to Ka’u on Sept. 6, Pahoa will face winless Kohala on Oct. 13 in a semifinal.
Trojans sophomore Izaiah Pilanca-Emmsley had a big game in the team’s first meeting, and he’s only gotten more proficient since, producing a dizzying 12 touchdowns the past two weeks.
Pahoa has big-play capabilities on offense as well, and it’s mixing in its passing game, posting four touchdowns (two runs, two passes ) that covered at least 34 yards in a 40-o win against the Cowboys last week.