KEALAKEKUA – The machine that is the Konawaena football team continues to tear through their BIIF competition.
For the sixth straight game, the Wildcat offense eclipsed the half-century mark, while the defense earned their fifth shutout of the season as Konawaena defeated Waiakea 61-0 Friday night at Julian Yates Field.
Quarterback Keoki Alani led the offensive attack, throwing five touchdowns to four different receivers in the first half. Alani connected with Abraham Ogata, Ro’o Satta-Ellis, Jacob Ah Mook Sang, and Zedekiah Anahu-Ambrosio (twice) as Konawaena built a 54-0 lead by halftime.
“Just the o-line protecting me up front, giving me enough time to throw the ball,” said Alani. “Our receivers did their job getting open.”
Defensively, Austin Takaki added to the lead with a pick-six, while Ah Mook Sang added a special teams score, taking a punt to the house in the second quarter.
Kawelu Kaiawe put the final first-half touchdown on the board for the Wildcats, finding the end zone on the ground.
Landon Daquel-Shimabukuro scored the final touchdown of the day, punching in a three-yard scoring run to give the game its final score of 61-0.
Konawaena’s defense held firm, even when Waiakea changed their offensive scheme entirely in the middle of the second quarter, shifting from a spread offense to a three-back, two-tight end Wing-T formation.
“It’s the first time we’ve seen that set,” said Konawaena head coach Brad Uemoto. “We obviously prepare for any kind of offense like that… The kids did a good job. They got into alignment, they executed. That’s what we do defensively.”
The Wildcats (6-0) will square off against Hilo (5-1) next week at home in what is likely to be their biggest remaining test in the regular season. Konawaena defeated Hilo 51-6 on September 2, but are not taking anything for granted against the Vikings.
: “Obviously, when you face a team a second time – and eventually possibly a third time – they adjust,” said Uemoto. “Especially on the losing end of a game, you come in the next contest adjusting. We’re going to have to be prepared for whatever… Try to come up with a win again. The more times we play them, it’s not going to get easier.”