Hilo High School and Waiakea High’s football teams ended their seasons in town together, as the Vikings defeated the Warriors 36-12 on Saturday at Waiakea’s field.
It was arguably one of Waiakea’s strongest games of the season, as they kept within one score of Hilo through the whole first half of the game — and held the Vikings scoreless until late in the second quarter.
The Warriors took the opening kickoff, and made their way up the field until Nahiku Anderson intercepted a pass — the first of Hilo’s season high six interceptions on the outing.
Hilo was unable to capitalize, however, going three and out. The Vikings brazenly attempted a fake punt while just outside of their own 20-yard line, but the pass went incomplete to turn the ball over.
Shortly after the Warriors took possession, Nahulu Chartrand-Barco squashed their hopes of scoring — intercepting a pass just outside of the goal line.
The back and forth continued until nearly nine minutes into the second quarter, when Hilo quarterback Austin Aguiar connected a 30-yard touchdown pass to Peyton Pana. Nahiku Anderson completed the PAT kick, giving Hilo a 7-0 lead.
The kickoff return was brought down at the 18-yard line — and before Waiakea could even get a first down, Kailwalya Kaneta intercepted a pass and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown.
The Warriors quickly redeemed themselves, as Alek Rodrigues returned the kickoff nearly 80 yards for a touchdown. The PAT failed, shortening Hilo’s lead to 13-6.
Waiakea’s defense forced a punt with less than a minute left, but could not score before the half as Rylen Reis intercepted a hail mary attempt during the final seconds.
The Vikings found their footing in the third quarter. On their opening drive, Aguiar and Kadek Kaneta connected for a 35-yard touchdown pass. Aguiar then threw to Pana to complete the two-point conversion, boosting Hilo’s lead to 21-6.
During the Warriors’ next possession, Jeremiyah Batulanon intercepted a pass. Hilo’s offense was stopped again by the Warriors’ defense — but got its defense caused another turnover, a pick by Kainoa Obenchain.
Shortly after that, the Warriors got their first turnover on an interception by Keanu Mariteragi. Waiakea capitalized with a touchdown after driving to the one-yard line. Quarterback Dylan Baltazar-Nakamoto scored on a dive — but the PAT kick was blocked by Ikena Leao.
The Vikings scored two more touchdowns — a five-yard carry by Isaiah Awai and a 25-yard pass from Aguiar to Pana.
Hilo completed the season 5-3, at the No. 3 standing in BIIF DI behind No. 1 Konawaena and No. 2 Kea‘au.
Waiakea went 0-8, finishing at the bottom of the division.
