The significance of the 5th annual Kipimana Cup — the BIIF football battle between neighbors Kamehameha and Keaau — is not lost on Warriors coach Dan Lyons, even though the matchup has been lopsided.
The Warriors (1-2 BIIF Division II, 4-2 overall) host the young Cougars (0-3 BIIF D-1, 0-5) at about 7:30 p.m. Friday at Paiea Stadium after the junior varsity game.
The Kipimana Cup is a goodwill football game between the public (Keaau) and private (Kamehameha) schools. Both are on land once owned by W.H. Shipman.
Kipimana is how Hawaiians referred to Shipman more than 100 years ago. W.H. Shipman provides $500 to each of the school’s booster clubs following the game, and a trophy to the winning team.
The Warriors have taken home the previous four trophies. They’re the defending BIIF champs. It’s also homecoming night for them, providing extra incentive.
“The Kipimana Cup is a great way to showcase the Keaau and Puna areas of the island of Hawaii as well as the graciousness of W.H. Shipman,” Lyons said. “It’s an expression of Shipman’s commitment to high school athletics and the two schools athletics. We always need good competition, and something we look forward to. It’s neat to see a corporation that reaches out to the athletic community and supports us.”
Keaau principal Dean Cevallos praised Shipman president Bill Walter for starting the Kipimana Cup. It’s the only BIIF crosstown rivalry game where a trophy is awarded.
“Bill is supportive of everything in community and anything that builds Keaau as a community, and this football game is part of building Keaau pride,” Cevallos said. “It’s not about cheering for Kamehameha or Keaau or BIIF, it’s about supporting the cup.”
The Warrior faithful might point out that next week’s home game against unbeaten Konawaena is a much bigger deal. That game should be standing room only because it will likely determine home-field advantage in the playoffs. And there’s only one berth to the HHSAA Division II state tournament.
The Warriors are coming off a 41-6 loss to Hilo, which played fast and physical, and dominated all game long.
It’s a good time as any for Kamehameha to get its ground game back on track against winless Keaau. Take away Kaeo Batacan’s 78-yard touchdown run, and the Warriors were held to 26 yards on 24 carries.
For Walter, he highlighted what the Kipimana Cup means to him.
“We look forward with the two schools and the community to this game every year,” he said. “I am always pleasantly surprised by the goodwill shown by both teams. The coaches and staff have made this more than simply a game but also a time to celebrate Keaau as a great place to live, work and be educated.”
Konawaena (3-0 BIIF D-II, 5-0) at Kealakehe (3-0 BIIF D-I, 4-2), after 5 p.m. JV Friday
Someone is going home with a league loss.
Despite the departure of Luca Vartic to Saint Louis, the Wildcats have one of their faster teams in years. They’ve got an athletic quarterback in Austin Ewing, who’s a dual threat.
The big question for the Waveriders is can they wear down the Wildcats with their size on both sides of the ball?
Honokaa (2-1 BIIF D-II, 2-3) at Hilo (2-1 BIIF D-I, 2-3), after 5 p.m. JV Saturday
If there were an early MVP, it would be Dragons quarterback Nainoa Falk, who put up big numbers against Waiakea last week and has been a driving force.
However, the mobile senior faces a growing beast in the Vikings, who played their best game against Kamehameha.
One tackle-for-loss play summed up Hilo’s renewed aggressiveness: Right end Tausala Pola had outside contain, and he leveraged his blocker and threw him on the ground. He showed strength, nifty footwork and sound tackling technique to record the two-yard loss.
8-man
Kohala (1-0) at Ka‘u (1-1), 2 p.m. Saturday
At least the Cowboys know who to focus on: Evan Manoha, who rushed for 302 yards and five touchdowns in the Trojans’ wild 54-48 win over Pahoa last Thursday.
In the first matchup in Kapaau, the Cowboys defeated the Trojans 27-6. The rematch is vital for Ka‘u to keep its repeat championship hopes alive.
