During a normal season, the central question regarding Hilo High’s football team would be one of resiliency: How will the seven-time BIIF Division I champion Vikings rebound from a rare loss?
This season, however, the focus is more on repetition. Hilo, like every other high school team in Hawaii taking the field after losing a season because of the pandemic, needs live game reps.
Most Vikings players saw their first taste of varsity experience Oct. 22 in a 24-21 overtime loss at Konawaena.
“For us and Konawaena, I think we kind of showcased how strong our programs have been,” Hilo coach Chris Todd said. “Despite losing a lot players and having an off year, we were both able to put together competitive and competent rosters.”
Hilo had a seven-point lead and possession midway through the fourth quarter, but the Wildcats got the ball back in Vikings’ territory, scored the tying touchdown with 1:45 remaining to play and Wildcats kicker Ro’o Satta-Ellis’ 32-yard field goal in overtime snapped Hilo’s 23-game BIIF winning streak.
“We struggled in areas we thought we would struggle and a couple of different areas also,” Todd said. “I think a lot of mistakes that were made on the field and on the sidelines had a lot to do with a lack of real game experience.”
Even some of the Vikings’ best teams during their D-I reign stubbed their toe while playing in Kealakekua. Since 2013, Hilo is 2-3 in games at Konawaena, and a whopping 57-1 in all other BIIF contests.
The Vikings will try to improve on the latter mark Saturday when they take on Waiakea (0-2) in a 5 p.m. kickoff at Wong Stadium. The Warriors opened the season with six strong quarters of football before Kealakehe surged in the second half last week in a 42-14 win.
Of the five D-I teams, four will qualify for the playoffs, and a Hilo victory would all but eliminate Waiakea from postseason contention.
“It’s our job now to make sure the Konawaena loss was a productive one,” Todd said.
The Wildcats (2-0) are off this weekend, but there are four other games on tap:
Kohala (1-1 BIIF D-II) at Honokaa (0-2), 6 p.m. Thursday: For a subplot, keep an eye on the Cowboys’ sidelines to see how many players suit up.
Kohala dressed only 17 and were down to 16 last Saturday, but it hardly mattered as it handled its business, winning at Ka’u 27-0.
The Dragons have yet to score on offensive touchdown in losses to Hawaii Prep and Kamehameha.
Pahoa (1-1 D-II) at Kamehameha (1-0), 5 p.m. Friday: This would appear to be a good spot for the Warriors to work on their passing game, a point of emphasis, according to Warriors coach Kealoha Wengler.
Including a forfeit win, the Daggers will have had almost three weeks off since absorbing a 69-0 loss at HPA in which it garnered only one first down.
Kealakehe (1-0 D-I) at Keaau (1-1), 6 p.m. Friday: With quarterback Sheynen Nahale leading a balanced offense, the Waveriders seek a win before hitting the meet of their schedule and games against Hilo and Konawaena.
The Cougars try to get back on track after a 59-6 loss at Konawaena.
Ka’u (0-1 D-II ) at Hawaii Prep (2-0), 2 p.m. Saturday: The weather didn’t help, but Ka Makani were sloppy, coach Kaluka Maiava said, in their last game, a 16-6 win at Honokaa on Oct. 22.
The Trojans hope a few reinforcements have arrived. They only dressed 23 in the loss to Kohala.