HILO — The touchdown tracker for Hilo’s Kahale Huddleston read 10, and understandably Honokaa’s defense was primed to stop Huddleston from getting anymore at its expense.
HILO — The touchdown tracker for Hilo’s Kahale Huddleston read 10, and understandably Honokaa’s defense was primed to stop Huddleston from getting anymore at its expense.
The problem for the Dragons on Friday night came on a play-fake on the the very first place from scrimmage as two tacklers converged on Huddleston, only to watch as quarterback Kaleo Apao kept the ball to rip off a large gain.
Not long after, Huddleston had No. 11 and more.
The Vikings senior ran for touchdowns on three of his first five carries, and he returned a kickoff return for a score for the third consecutive game as the Vikings coasted past Honokaa 41-0 in BIIF football at Wong Stadium.
“If he’s improved on any of his attributes, it’s his balance,” Hilo coach Kaeo Drummondo said. “The vision is still good and his burst getting through the line scrimmage and getting through the second level is still excellent. More so than anything, his ability to run through his arm tackles and stay on his feet have improved.”
Kyan Miyasato threw for a score for Hilo (3-0, 2-0 BIIF Division I), Keanu Keolanui booted a 42-yard field goal with plenty of room to spare and Kuresa Toledo posted two of his team’s six sacks.
Huddleston gained 135 yards, all in the first half, on just eight carries.
His nicest run could have been his second. Starting at the Dragons’ 40, he veered to his left, stayed on his feet and shed a tackle at about the 35, then cut to the sideline and beat everyone to the end zone.
“It’s one of the greatest feelings, honestly, just seeing your hard work pay off at the end,” offensive lineman Kaeia Vera said of blocking for Huddleston.
Not to be outdone, Huddleston also showcased speed, vision and elusiveness on a run to right later in the first quarter with a 32-yard run that set up his third score less than nine minutes into the game.
After the Dragons (2-1, 1-1 BIIF Division II) went three-and-out five consecutive times to start the game, quarterback Ocean Guerpo-Beamer picked up two first downs through the air to march the Dragons into Hilo territory, but the drive ended when Isaac Liu recovered a fumble.
The Vikings went 60 yards, mostly through the air, to go ahead 30-0. Miyasato completed a jump ball to Kalae Akui for 20 yards, and after a penalty Makana Kanehailua took a short pass over the middle and turned it into a 27-yard scoring play.
Miyasato was 7 of 11 for 72 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
And then there was Huddleston’s 90-yard kickoff return, his fourth of the young season, to open the second half. On their only kickoff the game, the Dragons tried a squib kick, but the ball rolled to Huddleston near the right sideline, and he cut through the middle of the field, making it look easy.
“It’s amazing that he did it again,” Vera said.
Paki Akau had an interception for Honokaa, which couldn’t take advantage of four turnovers.
Guerpo-Beamer completed 9 of 17 passes for 39 yards and added 48 yards on the ground. Klayton Gascon amassed 49 yards rushing.
Honokaa 0 0 0 0 — 0
Hilo 23 10 8 0 —41
First quarter
Hilo — Kahale Huddleston 4 run (Keanu Keolanui kick), 9:51
Hilo — Huddleston 40 run (Kalen White run), 6:29
Hilo — Huddleston 5 run (Micah Bello pass Kainalu Tiogangco), 3:11
Second quarter
Hilo — Makana Kanehailua 27 pass from Kyan Miyasato (Keolanui kick), 4:34
Hilo — FG Keolanui 42, 0:00
Third quarter
Hilo — Huddleston 90 kickoff return (Micah Bello pass Kainalu Tiogangco), 11:44