KEALAKEKUA — It’s hard to know what to expect going into a rivalry game, where emotions run high and the impact every play is amplified.
But there was simply no preparing for what unfolded last week when Konawaena and Kealakehe met up.
A homecoming contest that started nearly an hour late thanks to a miscommunication about jerseys, ended early due to the lights going out. What remained lit when the darkness overtook the field was the scoreboard, which read Konawaena 40, Kealakehe 7 — a score that would stand when both sides decided to call the game at close to 11 p.m. on a school night.
Looking back, Konawaena head coach Brad Uemoto can only laugh at the various head-scratching moments that didn’t involve the teams’ play on the field.
“Starting off with the whole uniform fiasco, it was just pouring gas on an already started flame,” Uemoto said. “We always preach the word ‘perseverance’ and I think that helped us take it in stride. It’s hard to get out of routine, but the kids and our staff did a good job of staying focused.”
Now facing a curious schedule to close out the year, Konawaena is hoping it’s smooth sailing the next few weeks before they head to Wong Stadium to meet up with Hilo to close out the regular season.
Konawaena hits the road this week to face winless Waiakea before hosting Honokaa and Keaau — teams they beat a combined 96-0 the first time around the schedule. Lurking at the end of the dockett are the six-time defending champ Vikings in a game that could simply serve as a preview of the Division I title game, which is set for the following week.
“Our eyes are on Hilo, obviously. That’s the goal. We have to get to that level and we have three games to prepare,” Uemoto said. “But we are not overlooking anyone — we never do that. It’s week in and week out, and we are our biggest opponent. We don’t want to get complacent during these games and execute the way we know we can, knowing that winning out would assure us a shot in the championship game.”
Playing a team three times in a year is tough — especially back-to-back. So Uemoto is planning on picking the brain of Kapaa head coach Philip Rapozo. In the KIF, there are only three teams (Kappa, Waimea, Kauai High) and they play each other three times per season, with each game often resulting in closer results.
“It’s just an odd game. How do you play that thing?” Uemoto said of the possiblity of a back-to-back with Hilo. “Kappa is accustomed to that, so it will be interesting to get his perspective.”
On the field for Konawaena, one of the Wildcats that has seen the most development is Hezekiah Anahu-Ambrosio, a promising two-way freshman. Playing a hybrid linebacker/safety role against Kealakehe, he stepped in front of the first pass of the game and returned it for a TD. Later in the first quarter, Anahu-Ambrosio added a 25-yard touchdown run. Just a ninth grader, the extra reps the next three weeks certainly won’t hurt.
“I think for him defensively he’s finally caught up to the scheme as far as his alignment and responsibilities,” Uemoto said. “He’s not thinking as much and playing fast.”
Here are a look at the other Division I matchups happening this weekend:
Kealakehe (3-3) at Keaau (2-4), Friday, 7 p.m.
With so many games still left to be played, Kealakehe is not mathematically eliminated from playoff contention at 3-3, but the Waveriders would need a lot of things to go right to punch their ticket to the two-team Division I playoff. That starts this week against Keaau.
Despite the final score last week against Konawaena, the Waveriders did a lot of things they can be proud of, especially on the defensive side of the ball. After the four-touchdown, first-quarter barrage from the Wildcats, Kealakehe held them to just two touchdowns the rest of the way in the shortend game.
The Waveriders won the first matchup against Keaau 55-29.
Hilo (6-0) at Honokaa (2-4), Friday, 7 p.m.
Honokaa broke a four-game losing streak last week with a 38-7 win over Waiakea, but there wasn’t long to bask in the victory. The Dragons had to get to work knowing the Vikings were coming this week
Hilo hasn’t allowed a point in four weeks, outscoring opponents 255-0.
