Hilo High’s boys soccer team is in a familiar spot with a twist.
The perpetual runner-up Vikings enter the BIIF Division I playoffs as the top dog, a first since George Ichimaru took over as coach for the 2015 season.
Hilo has an automatic berth to the HHSAA tournament in hand, but “I remind the team each day, before (and) after practices and games that the hardest work has yet to come,” Ichimaru said. “Next for us is the different chapter of postseason where if we lose, then we go home.”
In a repeat of the 2019 regular season, the Vikings (10-1) suffered an early hiccup that included a loss to Hawaii Prep and then never lost again. Hilo rides a double-digit unbeaten streak into the postseason for the second season in a row, facing No. 4 Keaau (1-9-1) on Wednesday in the semifinals.
Only this time, the Viks are the favorite to end their season-year championship drought.
“From the moment we began tryouts, to practices and then games, I analyzed different ways to make this team the most successful as possible,” Ichimaru said. “I knew what myself as a coach needed to do but most importantly have the entire team really buy in, jell and play as a team.”
In a match in which both teams were vying for regular-season championships in their respective divisions, Hilo beat Makua Lani 3-1 on Tuesday, getting goals from Logan Mizuba, Leha Harman and Masila Siua.
The loss dropped the Lions (8-3), who a got goal from Isaiah Easley, to the second seed in the Division II playoffs, meaning a potential matchup with Kamehameha looms in the semifinals on Thursday in Kailua-Kona.
Hawaii Prep (8-3), which beat Makua Lani early in the season and held the tiebreaker, grabbed the top seed with a 9-0 win Tuesday against Christian Liberty – Conor Hunt scored four goals, Jack Jeremiah twice and Daniel Vidal Gayoso, Noah Balaam and Aiden Richardson once apiece with Kawehi Cabuzel in goal.
All three state berths in D-II will be earned in the postseason, and the playoff picture was finalized Friday when Honokaa beat Christian Liberty xx () to secure the fourth seed. In the first round Tuesday, the Dragons (4-6-1) will host Konawaena (4-7) and sixth-seeded Kohala (3-7-1) will play at No. 3 Kamehameha (7-3-1). The Wildcats ended the regular season Thursday with a 7-0 win against the Canefire.
The marquee matchup in the D-I semifinals is Wednesday in Kailua-Kona between Waiakea (8-2-1) and Kealakehe (9-2). The Vikings stole both of those teams’ thunder with one-goal wins on the road.
Since winning its last title in 2011 in Waimea – site of the Feb. 1 championships – the Hilo has sustained seven agonizing losses in the title match, each with its own unique ending.
But they haven’t been the favorite again until now.
“We played each game as best as you can and the team created a mantra to truly live by when putting on the Hilo High School jersey and stepping on the field,” Ichimaru said. “Since then, the team has demonstrated their unity and never looked back.”
Playoff glance
Tuesday
Division II first round
No. 6 Kohala (3-7-1) at No. 3 Kamehameha (7-3-1)
No. 5 Konawaena (4-7) at No. 4 Honokaa (4-6-1)
Wednesday
Division I semifinals
No. 3 Waiakea (8-2-1) at No. 2 Kealakehe (9-2)
No. 4 Keaau (1-9-1) at No. 1 Hilo (10-1)
Thursday
Division II semifinals
Kohala-Kamehameha winner at No. 2 Makua Lani (8-3)
Konawaena-Honokaa winner at No. 1 Hawaii Prep (8-3)
Sat., Feb. 1
At Hawaii Prep
Division II final
Semifinal winners, 1 p.m.
At Hawaii Prep
Division I final
Semifinal winners, 3 p.m.
Tue., Feb. 4
Division II third place match
Semifinal losers, at higher seed