KEALAKEKUA — If there’s a program that understands expectations on the Big Island, it’s Konawaena.
KEALAKEKUA — If there’s a program that understands expectations on the Big Island, it’s Konawaena.
Under head coach Brad Uemoto, the Wildcats have been heavily involved in the contender conversation on the state level in Division II — making back-to-back state semifinal appearances — and have proved their championship pedigree on the Big Island, winning five of the last six BIIF titles.
But with DI juggernaut Hilo coming to town on Friday, the Wildcats are as much of a home underdog as they have been in the last few seasons against a team that a Honolulu Star-Advertiser poll has pegged as No. 6 in the state. That’s a program-high for the Vikings, who have won the last four consecutive BIIF championships in Division I.
“It comes down to facing what I’d consider a state tournament quality team,” Uemoto said. “If we are fortunate enough to win our league, we will face a team like Hilo in terms of size and quality. It’s a good glimpse into what could be — a solid dry run.”
Konawaena has yet to get any kind of real test in the first three weeks of the BIIF season, outscoring opponents 136-23 and pulling the majority of its starters just after halftime. The Wildcats will have to shift gears for a four-quarter contest against the Viks, and if history is any indication, it’s going to be a grind.
Since 2013, Hilo holds a 3-1 advantage in the series, including a 23-21 win at Wong Stadium a year ago.
It’s no secret that the Wildcats’ run defense was a blaring weakness in two preseason losses, with both St. Francis and Kapaa coming away with a 200-yard rusher. But that also came against an undermanned Wildcat squad that had more than a few of its key playmakers sidelined or playing out of position.
Those games, however, gave guys lower on the depth chart a chance to rise up, like Ethan Abe.
The senior linebacker wasn’t slated to be a full-time starter for the Wildcats when the season began, but Abe — listed at 5-foot-6, 155 pounds — has been all over the field, scoring a pair of defensive touchdowns and being among the team leaders in tackles.
“He’s filled a big void for us,” Uemoto said. “He has a few defensive touchdowns, but he’s been a lot more than that. He’s been a very steady player for us.”
Against BIIF foes, Konawaena has allowed just two offensive scores in three games and opposing running backs have not found any room to run.
“Losing those games against quality opponents magnified our deficiencies,” Uemoto said. “We went to the film and saw what we had to work on and where we had to improve. Tackling really hurt us in those first two games, but we went back to the drawing board and its been much better since.”
However, as Uemoto openly acknowledges, the challenge is different this week against Hilo and running back Kahale Huddleston, who has established himself as one of the premier offensive weapons in the state. The versatile senior back has 18 touchdowns this season — 12 rushing, four on kick returns and two receiving.
“He’s dynamic,” Uemoto said. “It’s very hard to prepare for his kind of speed”
Uemoto has pondered a lot of ways to prepare for the challenge — some more creative than others — but in the end it comes back to the basics.
“We have to play team defense,” Uemoto said. “There is not one person who is going to stop him consistently. We have to keep our angles and limit what he does.”
Another way the Wildcats will be able to keep the ball out of Huddleston’s hands is by limiting his touches on kickoffs with the foot of Harry Hill, who is one of the best touchback specialists in the league.
“It will help us stay out the way of what he does best,” Uemoto said. “I love to see him return kicks against every team but ours.”
The last two weeks have been muddy affairs at Julian R. Yates field — a treat for defenses but a challenge for the offense. By the final buzzer, the Wildcats’ white jersey’s were much closer to Mililani brown.
The wet weather has somewhat limited Austin Ewing in the passing game — averaging just 135 yards the last two weeks — but the two-time BIIF Offensive Player of the Year has still managed to find the end zone seven times (six passing, one rushing).
Chauncey Mariani-Louis, who took over lead-back duties when Dominic Delacruz went down in the preseason, has excelled in the role. When Konawaena’s usual downfield passing game might be clogged up due to the rain, Mariani-Louis has shown he’s able to contribute in multiple ways, picking up tough yards in the mud and turning short catches near the line of scrimmage into big gains.
After the downpour the west side of the island received on Thursday, it’s safe to say the field won’t be in great condition, even if it doesn’t rain at game time. And if it does escalate into another mud bowl, the Wildcats will boast almost as much experience as its east-side dwelling BIIF brethren.
“We’ve been fighting the rain. I’m not sure if we have had a dry practice this week,” Uemoto said. “At least if it pours again, we will be prepared.”