The 2024 HHSAA football tournament brackets were released over the weekend, and two Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) teams will be representing the isle in the competition for the state crown.
Konawaena, winner of BIIF Division I, earned the No. 1 overall seed in the Division I tournament — earning a first-round bye. The Wildcats will play the winner of this weekend’s matchup between No. 5 Leilehua and No. 4 Lahainaluna on Nov. 22 at Julian R. Yates Field in the state semifinals.
It was no surprise to see the green and white earn the field’s highest seed, as Kona has averaged over 45 points per game while allowing less than seven in its 9-2 season. The Wildcats are riding a hot streak as winners of eight consecutive.
The big story surrounding Kona this season has been the emergence of sophomore quarterback Keenan Alani, who took the place of elder cousin Keoki Alani as the team’s signal caller. In his debut starting season, Keenan Alani has posted 2,386 yards, 43 touchdowns and four picks in 11 games.
Head coach Brad Uemoto was blown away with Alani this season, telling West Hawaii Today after the BIIF DI Championship on Nov. 2 that he “grew up” before their eyes as the year progressed. Alani has a great chance of being selected to ScoringLive’s annual All-Hawaii Team.
Another prime candidate for an All-Hawaii selection is the Wildcats’ top receiver, Austin Takaki. The senior is having a career season, hauling in 81 catches for over 1,100 yards and 20 touchdowns. Takaki has done an impressive job of stretching the field, averaging nearly 14 yards per reception. Teammate receiver Malu Tan has also been putting up numbers — posting 41 catches for 731 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging nearly 18 yards per catch.
In HHSAA’s Division II tournament, Kamehameha Schools-Hawai‘i will be representing the BIIF. The 11-1 Warriors finished unbeaten (10-0) in BIIF DII, giving them the island title.
KSH has averaged over 39 points per game while allowing over just nine. The Warriors’ bread and butter has been their run game, where they have scored 28 of their 43 touchdowns in 2024. Leading their prestigious backfield is senior Xander Hoopai, who has tallied 1,084 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns.
KSH quarterback Adam Perry has had a solid senior season, throwing for 16 touchdowns and five picks.
The Warriors earned the No. 5 seed in the state tournament, slated to face No. 4 Roosevelt at 6:30 p.m. Saturday on O‘ahu. The winner will take on first-seeded KS-Maui in the state semifinals on Nov. 23.
See the paper in the coming days for more football playoff coverage and results.
All-BIIF XC
runners honored
The BIIF released its All-League teams earlier this week, and many familiar faces were honored. The top 14 runners in each divisional race from the BIIF championship on Oct. 26 were named.
Hilo Kekaihulali Halpern and Waiakea’s Shane Tominaga highlighted the girls and boys’ first teams, as both won their BIIF individual titles a few weekends ago. Halpern also finished third overall and Tominaga eighth at states on Nov. 2.
Other state medalists — Kealakehe’s Elisa Childers (eighth), Kealakehe’s Zadie Bolton (10th), HPA’s Kirra Geesey (14th), HPA’s Delphine Fanelsa (17th) and Waiakea’s Austin Mohica (13th) — were named to the list.
The full lisst with their placements at BIIFs can be found below:
Girls First Team
• Kekaihulali Halpern, Hilo, No. 1
• Zadie Bolton, Kealakehe, No. 2
• Elisa Childers, Kealakehe, No. 3
• Kirra Geesey, HPA, No. 4
• Kekaimalino Halpern, Hilo, No. 5
• Sri Butz, Waiakea, No. 6
Girls Second Team
• Delphine Fanelsa, HPA, No. 8
• Blessyng Rosario, Kea‘au, No. 9
• Naomi DeMille, HPA, No. 10
• Tiffany Ravaglia, HPA, No. 11
• Rosey Wawner, HPA, No. 12
• Kate Schwarting, HPA, No. 13
• Bella Anthony, Parker, No. 14
Honorable mentions: Mikaili Barrrrrretto-Payamo (CLA), Emma DeCleene (CLA), Emily Vogt (CLA), Wynter Radey-Morgan (HPA), Maria Aurelio (Ka‘u), Khloe Kealoha (Ka‘u), Danilynn Padilla (Kea‘au), Maya Terkla (Kea‘au), Laila Palfy (Konawaena), Peyton Botelho (KSH), Isabel Camp (Parker), Katalina Doratt (Waiakea), Camila Megargel (Waiakea), Nova Stickley (Waiakea)
Boys First Team
• Shane Tominaga, Waiakea, No. 1
• Austin Mohica, Waiakea, No. 2
• Issac Keana‘aina, Waiakea, No. 3
• Phillipp Gerstengarbe, HPA, No. 4
• Jack Soon Ludes, HPA, No. 5
• Archer Ankrum, Kealakehe, No. 6
• Kai Brittain, Waiakea, No. 7
Boys Second Team
• Brayden Tamura, KSH, No. 8
• Tony Gordon, Parker, No. 9
• Henry Huovinen, Waiakea, No. 10
• Kiran Letasky, Waiakea, No. 11
• Micah McDowell, HPA, No. 12
• Takumi Wethrell, Parker, No. 13
• Caden Smith, MLCA, No. 14
Honorable mentions: Aaron Bartz (CLA), Ethan Bartz (CLA), Elijah Montrose (CLA), Nick Pigoti (HPA), Chihiro Sato (HPA), Zane Van Natta (HPA), Tane dos Remedios (Kanu), Makanaomakualani Toriano (Ka‘u), Zander Silva (Kea‘au), Harrison Kaneko (Konawaena), Travian Ramirez-Wong (Konawaena), Kalamakua Buckley Francisco (KSH), Kai Garcia-Tobar (Parker), Nico Braden (SJS), Samuel Goodenow (SJS), Amari Wiedemeier (SJS), Rylan Colbery (Waiakea), Lenx Neves (Waiakea), Carlos Soto-Centeno (Waiakea)
