Hilo knew it needed a strong start to compete with Mililani.
Hilo knew it needed a strong start to compete with Mililani.
The Vikings didn’t come close.
But the way it finished leaves Hilo raring to come back again to try and bridge the large gap that separates the elite Oahu Division I football schools and everyone else.
The Trojans, too big, too fast, too strong, nearly rolled their way to 600 yards of offense on Friday night at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, stampeding their way to a 62-18 victory in the first round of the HHSAA championships.
“Just so many weapons you have to account for,” Hilo coach Kaeo Drummondo said. “They went tempo and it affected us in multiple ways.”
The loss continued a pair of unfortunate state streaks for Hilo (7-5) and the BIIF. The Vikings, the three-time defending league champion, fell to 0-5 at states, dropping the Big Island to 0-17 all-time.
Some might question whether the BIIF should compete in Division I at the state level, but don’t count Drummondo among that faction.
“All the teams at states are tough,” he said. “There are better matchups for us. Mililani was not a good matchup and the final score showed that.”
Vikings junior quarterback Ka‘ale Tiogangco flashed a large smile to a statewide audience late in the fourth quarter after his 75-yard touchdown run accounted for his third score of the night.
Tiogangco compiled more than 290 yards of offense and also threw second-half touchdown passes to Ke‘aho Kaawa-Wilson and Isaac Lerma.
“The (second half) was big for (us). We talked about pride,” Drummondo said. “We couldn’t just go out there and play down and not fight.”
However, unlike state trips in 2013 and 2014, when the Vikings were able to hang around for a while before succumbing in the first round, defending state champion Mililani (10-2) flexed its muscle early and often.
“We absolutely needed a good start,” Drummondo said.
Instead, Hilo got an up-close look at major college football talent.
Quarterback McKenzie Milton, a Hawaii commit, returned from an injury and threw for 263 yards and three touchdowns, running back Vavae Malepeai, an Oregon recruit, scored twice and rumbled for 127 yards and wide receiver Kalakaua Timoteo — another Rainbow Warrior commit — caught eight passes, one for a touchdown.
The only damper of the night for Mililani was an injury suffered by Malepeai. The Trojans advance to face second-seeded Saint Louis of the ILH on Friday in the semifinals. In the other first-round game at Aloha Stadium, the OIA’s Waianae dismissed Maui’s Baldwin 21-6.
“You have to take your hat off to them. Great team, well-coached and smart,” Drummondo said. “Their football IQ is up there.
“I’m looking forward to watching the game next week.”
Hilo forced the first turnover of the game when Rylen Kaniaupio recovered a fumble in the first quarter, but Mililani took advantage of two Vikings first-quarter turnovers, leading 21-0 after one and 41-0 at the half.
The Trojans scored midway through the third quarter, but Tiogangco connected with Kaawa-Wilson on an 11-yard score late in the third quarter. Midway through the fourth, Lerma hauled in a 26-yard touchdown pass.
Of Hilo’s 352 yards, Tiogangco passed for 182 and ran for 110, completing a successful first season as Hilo’s quarterback. He threw an interception.
“It was huge for Ka‘ale,” Drummondo said. “The only thing he lacks is experience and I think he has a bright future.”
Hilo senior Dallas Mata finished with seven tackles and an interception.
Hilo 0 0 6 12 – 18
Mililani 21 20 7 14 – 62