KAPAAU — Kohala football fell 46-8 to Honoka‘a on Saturday afternoon in Kapaau. While the Cowboys showed grit and toughness in the second half, the Dragons’ firepower on both ends of the field was too much to overcome.
Kohala fell to 0-8, remaining in last in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) Division-II standings. Honoka‘a snapped its two-game losing streak, improving to 5-3 and staying at the No. 3 spot in Division II.
“We buckled down in the second half, but I told them (postgame) that it’s up to them (when it comes to playing a complete game),” Cowboys coach Early Hoshida said afterward. “But I’m really proud of how they showed heart towards the end.”
Kohala quarterback Hezekiah Wilson finished with a passing touchdown, while star receiver Tirus Perez caught that pass to lead the Cowboys’ skill position players.
Quarterback Elijah Kaupu-Alip led the Dragons’ offense with two rushing touchdowns. Running back Kelton Bell additionally had two scores on the ground. But the team’s defense was the bright spot all afternoon, forcing five turnovers — two of them interceptions from defensive back Kalae Lindsey.
Honoka‘a made its presence known from the opening drive. Mixing up the offense through quick passes and runs, the Dragons marched down the field, leading to a Blaize Jardine rushing touchdown.
In the next possession, Lindsey picked off Wilson, who brought it back to the Cowboys’ 1-yard line. Kaupu-Alip snuck the ball in for himself for Honoka‘a’s second score.
The second quarter was much of the same for the Dragons, who kept finding themselves in the Cowboys’ territory. After another lengthy drive, Bell punched it into the end zone for another Honoka’a touchdown.
During the kick return in the very next play, Kohala fumbled and linebacker Kupa‘a Langan scooped the ball and returned it to help put the Dragons on the Cowboys’ 1-yard line once more. Bell ran the ball into the end zone again for Honoka’a’s fourth touchdown of the afternoon.
Kohala then fumbled for the second straight return after lineman Teva Anderson forced the turnover, putting the Dragons in the Cowboys’ territory once again.
“We need to keep working on limiting those,” Hoshida said of the team’s turnovers. “We’re going to keep working hard and we’ll eventually get to where we want to be.”
Despite the back-to-back turnovers, Kohala played excellent red zone defense in the secondary to prevent Honoka’a from scoring again.
However, the Dragons’ offense moved the chains downfield once more near the end of the second half, setting up another Kaupu-Alip quarterback sneak for a score.
The second half was quieter than the first, but the Cowboys found more consistent rhythm within their offense. Although Wilson threw a pick to linebacker Mauloa Tagabi at the start of the third quarter, Kohala stalled Honoka‘a’s offense and got the ball back —setting up a touchdown drive that ended with a 20-yard reception to Perez. Wilson then punched the ball into the end zone to covert the 2-point attempt.
The Dragons answered back on the very next play. Special teamer Keaka Cagampang returned the ball all the way to the end zone from over 60 yards back following Kohala’s return kick. Perez returned Honoka‘a’s kick deep into its territory in the ensuing play, giving the Cowboys another golden opportunity. This was short-lived, however, as Lindsey picked off Wilson again at the goaline to prevent the touchdown. Honoka‘a then waltzed downfield once again to set up a Kiakahi Lindsey rushing touchdown — the final of the afternoon.
With just two weeks remaining in the regular season for Kohala, Hoshida intends to end on a high note as the Cowboys still search for their first win.
“We just need to get the little wins at practice and do a little extra in the games,” he said. “It’s about effort and attitude, and we believe in our boys.”
Up next
The Cowboys will next host Hawaii Prep at 2 p.m. Saturday in Kapaau. The Dragons will have a quick turnaround, facing Pahoa at 6 p.m. Thursday at Kea‘au.
