KEA‘AU — Kamehameha Schools-Hawai‘i blasted Ka‘u during Friday night’s game on its home field. The Warriors won 68-3, marking the program’s largest margin of victory in a single game since ScoringLive began tracking records in the 2000s.
KSH and the Trojans traded some blows in the opening quarter, as the Warriors only led 7-3 after the first 12 minutes. However, KSH went on a 40-point outburst in the second quarter — as quarterback Adam Perry threw for three touchdowns and rushed for another, linebacker Kaikoa Nobriga recovered a fumble for six and Clay Ching ran for a 45-yard score.
The Warriors took their feet off the gas a bit in the second half, but still outscored Ka‘u 21-0. Perry finished the night going 7-for-9 for 149 yards and four touchdown throws — two to Paliku Nachor and one apiece to Ocean DeMotta and Iokua Toci-Ho‘okano.
KSH’s run game was dominant as usual, tallying for 288 total yards between Perry (one rushing touchdown), Dallas Enriquez (one rushing touchdown), Keanu Gebin (one rushing touchdown) and John Sanborn (one rushing touchdown).
Over on the Trojans’ side, quarterback Adahdiya Ellis-Reyes finished with 75 rushing yards, being the only Ka‘u player with more than 50 scrimmage yards.
Now at 5-1 overall and 4-0 in the BIIF, 2024 marks the second consecutive year in which the Warriors have opened the season with four straight conference wins. The team is averaging nearly 41 points per game while allowing 13. They’ll aim to keep it going during their next matchup against Kohala at 2 p.m. Saturday in Kapa‘au. When the two teams met last September, KSH won 68-6.
The Trojans (1-2) will face Honoka‘a at 6 p.m. Friday at the Dragons’ stadium.
Kohala 35, Pahoa 27
Kohala football won its first game since Sept. 10, 2022 on Saturday in a back-and-forth affair with the visiting Pahoa Daggers in Kapa‘au. The Cowboys won 35-27.
Kohala did most of its damage in the first half, scoring 33 points and leading by 20 at halftime. Pahoa made a run in the fourth quarter with two touchdowns, but the Cowboys secured a safety to give them the eight-point victory.
Second-year coach Earl Hoshida expressed his pride in the boys after the game.
“I’m always proud of our boys,” he told West Hawaii Today. “It was teamwork and dedication that got us the win. We had to make adjustments early in the week due to injuries, and it payed off. We’ll keep working and focus on what we can control. This win was not only big for our team, but our community and supporters. I hope it will boost confidence in our players to believe in themselves and their teammates.”
At 1-3 at the midway point of 2024, Kohala will have a tough test this weekend against KS-Hawai‘i at home. The Daggers (0-3) will try to get their first victory with an upcoming game against HPA on Thursday.
HPA 28, Honoka‘a 21
After a loss to KS-Hawai‘i a week ago, Hawai‘i Prep Academy got back on track with a 28-21 win over DII rival Honoka‘a on Saturday in Kamuela.
Tied at 21 at the half, the red and white were able to escape in the fourth quarter with the win.
ScoringLive All-Hawaii running back Alaka‘i Aipia posted another dominant performance with 219 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Hayden Kalama threw for 152 yards, while receiver Christian Rhodes had 109 receiving yards, Cam Root 42 and seven from Aipia. Anaken Ramirez additionally punched in a 5-yard touchdown run.
Ka Makani (2-1) will look to extend its win streak against Pahoa at 6 p.m. Thursday at Kea‘au High School.
The 2-3 Dragons will next face Ka‘u this Friday in Honoka‘a town.
Hilo 49, Kealakehe 0
Hilo football earned its first win of the season with a 49-0 rout of the visiting Kealakehe Waveriders on Friday night at Wong Stadium.
With the Vikings back in the win column at 1-2, they’ll look to reach .500 in their next matchup against Waiakea on Saturday morning at the Warriors’ home field. Junior varsity will kick off first at 11 a.m.
The Waveriders (0-4) will enjoy a bye week before traveling to the Hilo side to face Waiakea on Sept. 28.
Other
If any readers have additional individual statistics from last weekend’s games, please email them to clangs@westhawaiitoday.com.