KEAAU — Konawaena (1-1 BIIF Division II, 2-1) came into Friday’s Big Island Interscholastic Federation matchup against Keaau (0-2 Division I, 0-3) with a simple game plan — run the football.
KEAAU — Konawaena (1-1 BIIF Division II, 2-1) came into Friday’s Big Island Interscholastic Federation matchup against Keaau (0-2 Division I, 0-3) with a simple game plan — run the football.
The Wildcats executed that simple, but effective game plan flawlessly, stampeding for 381 yards on the ground against the Cougars and showing off a deep stable of backs on the way to a convincing 36-7 win.
“We did not come in here to pass,” said Konawaena head coach Cliff Walters. “We came to run, and that’s what we did.
“Tonight, we turned a corner. Our boys were aggressive both offensively and defensively. What I saw is that if these kids can be completely focused on the task they have ahead of them, they are a championship squad.”
Algene Kelekolio led the way for the Wildcats, contributing 180 yards on 19 carries. Tate “Baba” Hing added 59 yards on the ground and a touchdown, and Koa Basque rushed for 69 yards and two touchdowns on just six carries. Hing also made eight tackles, 2 1/2 sacks, and recovered a fumble on defense.
Returning All-BIIF two-way player Bubba Ellis-Noa rushed for 45 yards on six carries in the first quarter before heading to the sideline with cramps.
“Our running backs showed up,” said Walters. “We used a bevy of backs after Bubba went out, and all three of those guys that stepped in did great.”
The rushing performance was in stark contrast to the loss a week ago against Kamehameha, when the Wildcats managed just 104 yards on the ground.
Konawaena lost Ellis-Noa for the majority of the game to cramps, and were also playing without starting quarterback Cameron Howes, who is suspended. Shelton Grace — who has split reps with Howes during the season — filled in and had a proficient night. Grace went 8 of 16 for 122 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also had a 3-yard touchdown run.
Coach Kalei Young said his team is still getting key players back who will let the Cougars have more flexibility in their rotation.
“We are trying to put the pieces together,” Young said. “When you have small numbers, every piece of that puzzle is important and it is a big adjustment to move any one around. We were plauged with cramps tonight, but these guys play so hard every minute of the game, regardless of score. That makes me so proud.”
Konawaena stalled on its opening drive, but got the ball back after Akoni Gouveia-Medeiros forced a fumble and Torin Tuppein returned it to the Keaau 20-yard line. Hing punched in the Wildcats first touchdown on a 1-yard plunge.
It was one of many times the Wildcats got inside the 5-yard line, but with goal line back Ellis-Noa sidelined, the task of reaching paydirt was a bit more difficult.
Keaau had success with the run early on, giving the ball to Justin Quesada and having quarterback Richard Hatori-Kanakaole scramble for gains. Showing no real respect for the Cougars’ passing game, Konawaena stacked the box and Keaau took advantage, throwing a 33-yard pass to Byron Cachola. Cachola bobbled the catch, but hauled it in as he went to the ground. Quesada finished the Cougars’ only scoring drive with a 7-yard run.
Hatori-Kanakaole didn’t pass often, but when he did it was for big yardage. The senior quarterback finished 4 of 10 for 92 yards and one interception.
“We like to be balanced as an offense, and set up some passing plays up with our run. But once the rain started coming down and the score got away from us, we couldn’t really do that,” Young said. “Our wide receivers Byron Cachola and Maurice Smith have a knack for finding holes in the defense. We want to develop our offense more to get those guys in open spaces.”
Konawaena drove inside Keaau’s 5-yard line on its next possession, but the Cougar defense stopped Ellis-Noa a yard shy of the end zone.
Despite being turned away without points, the Wildcats capitalized on backing up Keaau against its own goal line. Three plays into the drive, Austin Santos-Johnson led a swarm of Wildcat tacklers to stop the Keaau ball carrier in the end zone for a safety.
Konawaena closed out the half with a 16-yard pass from Grace to Kevin Medeiros to enter the break up 14-7.
Grace started hot in the second half, going 2 of 3 for 36 yards, and then scampering into the end zone on a 3-yard run to make it 20-7.
Basque finished an eight-play drive with a 9-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, and would add his second of the season early in the fourth quarter.
Keaau moved the ball backwards more than forward in the second half, and with no time left in the third quarter the Konawaena defense forced a second safety.
Ball-hawking corner Kaneala Kaaihue collected an interception.
Konawaena 6 8 14 8 — 36
Keaau 7 0 0 0 — 7
First quarter
KONAWAENA — 1-yard rush by Tate “Baba” Hing (Failed two-point run) 6:39
KEAAU — 7-yard run by Justin Quesada (PAT good) 3:10
Second quarter
KONAWAENA — Safety by Austin Santos-Johnson 11:48
KONAWAENA — Grace 16-yard pass to Kevin Medeiros (PAT blocked) 0:38
Third quarter
KONAWAENA — Shelton Grace 3-yard run (Failed two-point run) 7:51
KONAWAENA — Koa Basque 9-yard run (Failed two-point run) 4:23
KONAWAENA — Safety by Jake Unger and Bubba Ellis-Noa, 0:00
Fourth quarter
KONAWAENA — Koa Basque 10-yard run, (Two-point conversion, Grace pass to Kalalena Santiago) 10:17