KAILUA-KONA — Konawaena football displayed brillancy on both ends of the field in its 56-0 rout of Kealakehe on Friday night at Waverider Stadium.
Kona got back on track after falling to Kahuku in a non-conference road matchup a week ago. Head coach Brad Uemoto was impressed with how his team rebounded.
“We had a good week of practice,” he said postgame. “It’s always tough to travel and play a physical team, but we’re in league play now and we have to step up and take care of business.”
Wildcats sophomore quarterback Keenan Alani posted another strong throwing performance — tallying 211 yards and five touchdowns. He found Austin Takaki and Max Taetuna-Fautanu twice apiece and Ali‘imalu Tan once in the endzone. The young signal caller showed signs of maturity in his performance — being patient with his reads and never forcing the ball downfield.
“It’s not often you see a quarterback that young make the decisions he’s making on the field,” Uemoto said of Alani. “He’s getting more and more comfortable, and I think the Kahuku game was a big moment for him and his confidence with how he handled that big, physical front.
“I didn’t care about how many yards or touchdowns he put up, as long as he’s making the right choices — like throwing the ball away when he should, taking sacks when he should and scrambling out and getting downfield when he should. I’m excited to see his growth.”
In the receiving game, Takaki was the only wideout from both teams with over 100 yards (154).
In Kona’s rushing game, former Waverider Hercules Nahale recorded 11 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown against his former team. Hayden Nishida also punched in a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Defensively, the Wildcats put on a clinic against Kealakehe’s offense — forcing four turnovers, 6.5 sacks and a safety in the shutout. Linebacker Wyatt Wehrsig recovered two fumbles, while linebacker Lokuhao Lapera secured a pick-6 and defensive back Armenio Blanco sealed another interception.
“We’re going to lean on them a lot this year,” Uemoto said of the defense. “(Kealakehe) had a handful of big plays, so there are some responsibilities that we need to clean up. We’re going to go back to the film and see what we need to correct.”
On the Waveriders’ side, running back LJ Nahakuelua put up the most offense for the blue and white with 49 yards. No other Kealakehe running back posted positive yardage. Quarterback Lawai‘a Nahakuelua was injured early in regulation and exited the game, giving backup Tatum Pogtis the reins for the majority of the night.
Kona’s (2-2 ovr., 2-0 BIIF) next matchup will be against Hilo — slated for 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Wong Stadium. The Waveriders (0-2) next play Kea‘au at 6 p.m. Saturday at Kealakehe High School.
HPA 46, Ka‘u 0
After its season opener was rained out last weekend, Hawaii Preparatory Academy football made sure to start off 2024 on the right foot.
Ka Makani blasted Ka‘u 46-0 on Saturday in Pahala thanks to elite play on each side of the ball.
“I feel like we executed very well in all three phases of the game,” HPA coach Lincoln Kalama told West Hawaii Today postgame. “All around, it was a great effort from the whole team and coaching staff.”
ScoringLive All-Hawaii running back Alaka‘i Aipia stole the show in the backfield, rushing for 118 yards and two scores. Kalama credited Ka Makani’s offensive line — Kamea Leileiwi, Abiel Wilson, Andrew Sebastian, Kian Nikkhoo and Ethan Matsui — for helping open up the field for Aipia.
In the passing game, HPA quarterback Hayden Kalama passed for 174 yards and two touchdowns — both to receiver Christian Rhodes. Rhodes also led both teams in receiving yards (91), followed by Cam Root with four catches for 71 yards.
Defensively, Gavin Rhodes led the shutout with two fumbles recovered for touchdowns while also blocking a punt.
Ka Makani (1-0) will have a big test next week against defending BIIF Division II champion Kamehameha Schools-Hawai‘i, who HPA shared several battles with last season. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday in Kea‘au.
The Trojans (0-1) will travel to Kohala to play the Cowboys at 1 p.m. Saturday.
KSH 49, Pahoa 0
KS-Hawai‘i made quick work of Pahoa on Saturday night in Pahoa town — routing the Daggers 49-0.
Senior running back Xander Hoopai led KSH’s offense once again — rushing for 106 yards and two touchdowns. His backfield mate, Dallas Enriquez, rushed for another score. Quarterback Adam Perry completed 10 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns — two to Cole Walker (128 yards) and one to Clay Ching. Backup Chanse Kaaua-Long additionally threw a touchdown pass to Shiloh Santos in the fourth quarter.
The Warriors moved to 3-1 on the year and unbeaten (2-0) in BIIF play. Their next test will be against DII rival HPA this weekend.
The Daggers (0-1) will face Honoka‘a at 6 p.m. Thursday in Kea‘au.
Kea‘au 29, Hilo 20
Kea‘au football opened its season with a road win over Hilo on Friday at Wong Stadium. The Cougars won 29-20.
Kea‘au running back Charlie Salazar was the star of the show — rushing for 205 yards and one rushing touchdown. Quarterback Diego Pettypool threw for 270 yards and a passing and rushing touchdown. Pettypool also rushed for 78 yards over three carries. Cougar receivers Josaiah Nihoa and Jesse James Douglas combined for 15 catches for 222 yards. Defensively, Zaeden Moreira totaled 17 tackles — two of them being for loss.
West Hawaii Today and Hawaii Tribune-Herald could not obtain any individual statistics from the Vikings.
Kea‘au (1-0) will travel across the island to play Kealakehe next weekend at Waverider Stadium. Hilo (0-1) will also travel to the west side to play Konawaena on Saturday at Julian R. Yates Field.
Moanalua 59, Waiakea 0
Waiakea football played in its lone non-conference matchup of the season Saturday morning against Moanalua, with Na Menehune routing the Warriors 59-0.
West Hawaii Today and Hawaii Tribune-Herald could not obtain individual statistics from this game.
Waiakea (1-2) will enjoy the week off before returning to the field against Kea‘au at 7 p.m. Sept. 12 on the road.
Honoka‘a 21, Kohala 0
Honoka‘a football earned its first win of the season over Kohala on Thursday night in Honoka‘a town. The Dragons shut out the Cowboys 21-0.
West Hawaii Today and Hawaii Tribune-Herald could not obtain individual statistics from this game.
Honoka‘a (1-2) will look to keep its momentum going against Pahoa. The Dragons and Daggers will kick off Thursday evening at Kea‘au High School.
Kohala (0-2) will next host Ka‘u this weekend.
