KEA‘AU — Football season has officially returned to the Big Island, and the Kamehameha Schools-Hawai‘i community made no secret about its excitement.
Thousands gathered to watch the Warriors open their season on Saturday at Pai‘ea Stadium, hosting O‘ahu’s Nankuli in a non-conference matchup. The defending Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) Division II champions wasted no time in getting back to work, routing the Golden Hawks by a final score of 50-14.
KSH was firing all on all cylinders for the game’s entirety, but the Warriors’ biggest explosion occurred in the third quarter, where the white and blue scored three touchdowns — a 60-yard pick-six return from defensive back Paliku Nachor, a fumble return from freshman lineman Dallas Enriquez and a 2-yard run down the middle from senior backfield star Xander Hoopai. Leading only 21-7 at halftime, KSH’s intensity out of the gate in the second half left no doubt of who would be leaving the stadium victorious.
The Warriors played two quarterbacks in the outing — senior Adam Perry and sophomore Chanse Kaaua-Long. Perry threw six completions for 131 yards and a touchdown, while Kaaua-Long completed three for 70 yards and a score. Being a productive starter during KSH’s 11-2 season a year ago, Perry is expected to retain the starting role in 2024.
Perry’s top backfield weapon in Hoopai led all running backs with 14 carries for 122 yards and a score. Receiver Kealohi Ramos hauled in two touchdown passes to lead all wideouts. Kicker Kanoa Honda converted six extra-point attempts.
Nanakuli quarterback Kanoa Torres completed nine of his 15 attempts for 63 yards and two interceptions. The Golden Hawks’ top performers were running backs Talitonu Keohuhu and Adrian James Letua, who combined for 107 yards to go along with two touchdowns on the ground.
The Warriors’ next challenge will be against O‘ahu opponent Moanalua at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Roosevelt High School. Their first BIIF matchup will be against Pahoa at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 31 on the road.
Punahou 35, Kona 0
Like KS-Hawai‘i, Konawaena football opened its season against non-conference competition on Saturday — playing Punahou in Honolulu.
The 2023 DI state runner-ups lost to the Buffanblu 35-0 — losing their season-opening game for the third straight season.
Punahou scored all of its points in the opening half to secure the mercy-rule qualification, including a three-touchdown first quarter. It tallied 285 yards of offense to the Wildcats’ 77.
Buffanflu senior running back Nelson Aau scored the first two touchdowns of the afternoon. He finished with an additional 54 rushing yards. Aau helped engine an offense that averaged over eight yards per carry in the outing.
Punahou receivers Zion White and David Hinton, who are both underclassmen, combined for seven catches for 120 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Sean Connell and freshman Hunter Fujikawa shared quarterback duties for the Buffanblu, as both combined for three touchdown throws.
On the defensive side of the ball, Punahou linebacker Koo Kia recorded 12 tackles to lead all players.
Sophomore Keenan Alani made the start at quarterback for Kona, completing six passes. Hercules Nahale, who played for Kealakehe a season ago, rushed for 50 yards in his Kona debut.
The Wildcats (0-1, 0-0 BIIF) will return to the Big Island to face league competition, next facing Waiakea on Saturday in Hilo. The junior varsity game is scheduled for 11 a.m., and the varsity matchup will follow.