KEAAU – For a Waiakea offense that didn’t figure to pass the ball much anyway, as adverse as the field conditions were at Keaau High – muddy, mucky, sloppy, you name it — at times it felt like hog heaven.
KEAAU – For a Waiakea offense that didn’t figure to pass the ball much anyway, as adverse as the field conditions were at Keaau High – muddy, mucky, sloppy, you name it — at times it felt like hog heaven.
The Warriors sloshed their way to 240 yards on the ground Saturday, getting rushing touchdowns from four different players and shutting out the winless Cougars 30-0 to earn their second victory and the third seed in the BIIF Division I playoffs.
“No footing, almost impossible,” said Keli’i Perez-Poai who led the ground attack with 85 yards and a touchdown. “Had to run straight, never sideways.
“But football is football. I’m all about the action.”
The field, which was hosting its third game in as many days, resembled a swamp before the game began, and the rain never let up. When the ball got muddy – which was after each play— at least the officials always had a puddle nearby to clean the ball.
“Terrible, horrible conditions, but we got to run the ball more and get more exposure,” said Austin DePeralta, who scored from a yard out early in the third quarter to give Waiakea a 21-0 lead.
The Warriors switched feature backs with each series after Tevis Holi limped off the field on the opening drive.
The Warriors’ victory finalized the Division I playoff matchups. In two weeks in the semifinals, Keaau (0-6 BIIF, 0-7) will play at top seed Kealakehe, while the Warriors (2-4 BIIF, 2-7) will head to Wong Stadium to take on Hilo High.
The Vikings thumped Waiakea on muddy terrain at Wong on Sept. 25.
“We need better conditions,” Perez-Poia said.
Starting the game with white jerseys and white pants, the Warriors looked worse for the wear, but they were in control from the outset.
“Not the best for football, but it was fun, definitely,” quarterback Gehrig Octavio said.
On the opening drive of the game, Waiakea marched 72 yards on nine plays, with Octavio scoring on a 2-yard run.
Each team completed just two passes.
Octavio’s 26-yard completion to Hunter Rapoza set up DePeralta’s score. Rapoza also scored on a quarterback keeper and Octavio kicked a field goal.
“We have to keep this momentum going,” DePeralta said.
The Cougars were held to 92 yards of offense, and their best play-maker was Delton Gonsalves, who picked off two Octavio passes.
Waiakea coach Moku Pita said quarterback Makoa Andres would return for the regular-season finale at Kealakehe, but the Warriors didn’t miss his arm against the Cougars.
Why pass?
“Easy running,” Perez-Poia said. “Keep it on the ground.”
Waiakea 7 7 10 6 —30
Keaau 0 0 0 0 — 0
First quarter
Waiakea – Gehrig Octavio 2 run (Octavio kick), 3:28
Second quarter
Waiakea –Keli’i Perez-Poai 2 run (Octavio kick), 7:03
Third quarter
Waiakea – Austin DePeralta 1 run (Octavio kick), 8:15
Waiakea – FG 28 Octavio, :17
Fourth quarter
Waiakea — Hunter Rapoza 4 run (pass failed), 8:09