Konawaena coach Brad Uemoto looks at the BIIF regular season as a chance to gain an edge.
Konawaena coach Brad Uemoto looks at the BIIF regular season as a chance to gain an edge.
So far, so good, and the Wildcats have the opportunity to gain a big one Friday night against Kamehameha.
Having brushed off their four Division I opponents, Konawaena (4-0 BIIF, 6-0) turns its attention to its Division I counterparts, beginning with a rematch of the 2014 league title game – won by the Warriors. Kickoff is at approximately 7:30 p.m. at Paiea Stadium in Keaau.
A victory, Uemoto said, would play a “psychological” role heading to the league semifinals.
“It’s a two-game season,” he said. “Beating teams we’re going to face in the postseason helps bring us confidence when we have to play them again.”
Tristan Fleming-Nazara will make his first start for Konawaena. The senior filled in nicely Sept. 18 in place of injured quarterback Austin Ewing, finishing 11-of-22 for 214 yards and two touchdowns in a 39-9 victory against Kealakehe.
Uemoto is ready for the Wildcats’ defense to face one of its toughest challenges of the season.
In a 55-12 victory Sept. 18 against Keaau, running back Kaeo Batacan looked fully healthy for Kamehameha (2-2, 5-2), while quarterback Dallas J Duarte continues to gain confidence in his first year as starter.
Uemoto compared Kamehameha’s multidimensional attack to that of Hilo, which gave the Wildcats its toughest challenge to date.
“The diversity is what sticks out,” he said. “A very good running back and a lot of good receivers.”
Honokaa (2-2 BIIF Division II, 2-4) at Hawaii Prep (1-3 BIIF Division II, 1-4), 2 p.m. Saturday
Each team is coming off a loss and finishes with games against Kamehameha and Konawaena, so the loser of North Hawaii’s rivalry game will have its work cut out to avoid the No. 4 seed in the playoffs.
That’s especially the case for Ka Makani, who committed four turnovers Sept. 17 as Waiakea came from behind for its first victory of the season.
The Warriors found success on the ground in that victory, but HPA will be tested through the air against the Dragons as quarterback Nainoa Falk looks to get back on track after being shut down by Hilo.
With Anthony Palleschi and Co., Ka Makani will try to pound the ball versus a Honokaa front seven that held up well for the most part against the rushing attacks of Kealakehe and Waiakea in Weeks 2 and 3.
Kealakehe (3-1 BIIF Division I, 4-3) at Keaau (0-4 BIIF Division I, 0-5), 7:30 p.m. Saturday
The Waveriders make their first of two trips to East Hawaii in a seven-day span, looking to get back on track after suffering their first league loss.
If Kealakehe has its way, it’ll beat the Cougars and then Hilo on Oct. 2 at Wong and won’t have to leave West Hawaii again for a league game.
The Cougars have yet to allow fewer than 36 points in a game this season and have been outscored 182-38 in BIIF matchups.
Eight-man: Kohala (2-0 BIIF, 2-1) at Pahoa (0-1 BIIF, 0-1), noon Saturday
The Daggers must be itching to get back on the field for their home opener, having played only once so far this season.
The Cowboys will look to continue their march to the title behind a bruising run game, which might be the perfect recipe to keep the ball away from a Lava Benn-led Pahoa offense that was prolific in a 54-48 loss to Ka’u.
Speaking of bruising run games, Pahoa’s defense was susceptible against the Trojans, allowing more 300 yards on the ground.
The teams are about to get familiar with each other, with three meeting in the next six weeks