HILO — No. 12 Konawaena football remained undefeated in Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) play after Saturday night’s 35-0 shutout win over Hilo at Wong Stadium.
Wildcats sophomore quarterback Keenan Alani had another strong showing, completing 23 of his 30 attempts for 334 yards and five touchdowns — three to Ali‘imalu Tan and two to Austin Takaki. Tan and Takaki additionally combined for 17 catches for 279 yards. Three-hundred and thirty-four of Kona’s 380 scrimmage yards were in the air. Alani also averaged 11 yards per attempt.
Defensively, the ‘Cats collected four sacks. Nakoa Ige led the way with two, while Elias Malapit and Funaki James-Fainga forced one apiece. Wyatt Wehrsig led with 11 tackles.
Officially halfway through the regular season slate, Konawaena sits at 3-2 with a 3-0 record in conference play. The Wildcats will enjoy the week off before returning to action against Kea‘au at 7 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Cougars’ home field.
Hilo (0-2) will host Kealakehe at 5 p.m. Friday at Wong Stadium.
Kea‘au 56, Kealakehe 7
Kea‘au football made quick work of Kealakehe on Saturday on the Hilo side, routing the Waveriders 56-7.
The Cougars’ backfield stole the show, as Charlie Salazar, Israel Buchin-Recio and quarterback Diego Pettypool combined for 242 rushing yards and five touchdowns — averaging over 11 yards per carry.
In the receiving game, Pettypool found Jesse-James Douglas for 95 yards and two scores. On the other side of the ball, Douglas recorded three tackles, a pick six and a fumble recovery. Levey Wrobleski and Zaeden Moreira combined for 15 tackles and a sack for Kea‘au.
The Cougars (2-0) will have a short week before returning to the field against Waiakea on Thursday in Kea‘au. Varsity will kick off first at 5 p.m.
Kealakehe (0-3) will travel to Hilo next weekend to play the Vikings.
KS-Hawai‘i 42, HPA 14
Kamehameha Schools-Hawai‘i football routed fellow BIIF Division II rival Hawaii Prep during Friday’s game in Kea‘au.
The Warriors were dominant from start to finish, including a 20-point outburst in the second quarter. Quarterback Adam Perry finished with six completions for 76 yards, but running back Dallas Enriquez was the star of the show — rushing for 143 yards and three touchdowns. His backfield teammate, Keanu Gebin, rushed for 81 yards and a score. Clay Ching was KSH’s top receiver with two recptions for 54 yards.
On HPA’s side, star running back Alaka‘i Aipia rushed for 157 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Hayden Kalama rushed for the other touchdown. Receiver Christian Rhodes caught four passes for 103 yards.
The Warriors sit at 4-1 overall and 3-0 in the BIIF near the halfway point of 2024. They’ll next play Ka‘u on Friday night in Kea‘au following the junior varsity game between KSH and Konawaena at 5 p.m.
Ka Makani is at 1-1 to begin the year. They’ll return home to Kameula this weekend to host the Honoka‘a Dragons at 2 p.m. Saturday at Hawaii Prep Academy.
Ka‘u 23, Kohala 8
Ka‘u football picked up its first victory of 2024 over Kohala on Saturday in Kapa‘au.
The Trojans handled the Cowboys 23-8. West Hawaii Today and Hawaii Tribune-Herald could not obtain box scores from either team by Tuesday’s deadline.
Kohala (0-3) will next host Pahoa at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Cowboys’ home field. Ka‘u (1-1) will play KSH on Friday.
Honoka‘a 51, Pahoa 8
Honoka‘a football earned its second consecutive win Thursday in Pahoa town — routing the Daggers 51-8.
West Hawaii Today and Hawaii Tribune-Herald could not obtain box scores from either team by Tuesday’s deadline.
The Dragons (2-2) will next head over to Hawaii Prep to play Ka Makani on Saturday afternoon. Pahoa (0-2) will play Kohala the same day in Kapa‘au.
