The last three BIIF Division I championships have come down to Kealakehe and Hilo, and to the men in charge, it’s little wonder why. ADVERTISING The last three BIIF Division I championships have come down to Kealakehe and Hilo, and
The last three BIIF Division I championships have come down to Kealakehe and Hilo, and to the men in charge, it’s little wonder why.
“Two teams that pride themselves on having a good front on defense,” Hilo coach Kaeo Drummondo said. “Two physical teams that pride themselves on running the ball.”
Said Waveriders coach Sam Kekuaokalani: “They are very similar to us.”
The big difference last season came when Kealakehe had the ball. While the Waveriders’ defense hung tough in two contests, the Vikings didn’t allow a point in either game en route to winning their second consecutive BIIF championship.
The highlight of Week 6 in the BIIF comes at 7:15 p.m. Friday night when the teams meet at Wong Stadium, with the winner earning home-field advantage in the playoffs. Each enters with a 4-1 league record, but Hilo is unquestionably the hotter of the two, outscoring its last three opponents 161-12.
“It’s Kealakehe, we expect a good game on both sides of the ball,” Drummondo said. “We have to try and contain Riggs Kurashige and get the ball to our athletes in space.”
Kurashige missed the Waveriders’ 28-8 victory against Keaau last Saturday, but Kekuaokalani expected him to be ready Friday night. Despite getting 140 yards and two touchdowns from Kobe Antolin, the Waveriders struggled to move the ball without Kurashige’s shiftiness.
Hilo’s offense has been humming of late, with quarterback Ka’ale Tiogangco accounting for eight touchdowns the past three games and Isaac Lerma and Pono Landford leading the rushing attack.
With each passing week, the Vikings get more of their playmakers involved, which hasn’t escaped the attention of Kealakehe safety Sequoia Iona, who is coming off a four-interception game against Keaau.
“Watching them on film,” Iona said, “their receivers and quarterback look pretty good. We have to stay up for it.”
Kamehameha (3-2 BIIF Division II, 6-2) at Honokaa (2-3 BIIF Division II, 2-5), 7:15 p.m. Friday
The Dragons are still in the hunt for a home playoff game, but a win against the Warriors is a must to stay in contention. A bigger concern for Honokaa is its offense, which was shut down on the road in its past two games.
The Warriors are looking to build off their biggest win of the season, a 24-0 victory against Konawaena. Kamehameha can secure a home playoff game with wins in its last two regular-season games.
Konawaena (4-1 BIIF Division II, 6-1) at Hawaii Prep (2-3 BIIF Division II, 2-4), 3 p.m. Saturday
This matchup has produced some wildly entertaining games in recent years, with the Wildcats owning the upper hand. Konawaena still controls its own destiny to grab the top seed in the playoffs.
Waiakea (1-4 BIIF Division I, 1-7) at Keaau (0-5 BIIF Division I, 0-6), 5:15 p.m. Saturday
If the Warriors win, the Division I playoff matchups will be set with a week to spare. Waiakea will again be without quarterback Makoa Andres, and the Warriors’ offense bogged down without him Sept.25 against Hilo.
The Cougars’ defense performed admirably against Kealakehe, but Keaau’s rushing struggles have turned into a season-long theme.
