KAILUA-KONA — It took a bit for Waiakea football’s offense to find its footing against Kealakehe on Friday night at Waverider Stadium. But once it did, the Warriors were able to return to the Hilo side with a 7-0 win.
It was the Hilo school’s first win since Sept. 2018 against Kea‘au.
Numerous players suffered minor injuries, but both schools put up a competitive fight that turned into a defensive battle. Waiakea defensive back Kaleb Moniz forced a goal-line fumble after a strong Waveriders’ game-opening drive. Kealakehe running back LJ Nahakuela moved the chains with his forceful runs down the middle, along with sibling quarterback Lawai‘a Nahakuela extending plays with his legs — but the Warriors were still able to force the key turnover.
A couple of drives later, the Waveriders got Waiakea back in the same area of the field. After Warriors quarterback Pono Miller completed a laser throw to receiver Malosi Kaaihue to put Waiakea deep in Kealakehe’s territory, Waverider linebacker Isaac Baker-Silba picked off Miller in the end zone to force the turnover.
In the second half, Miller got into a groove with his receivers — hitting Kaaihue, Dylan Nakamoto-Baltazar and Kahiau Inman on multiple slant routes into the teeth of Kealakehe’s defense. Miller then found receiver Nakamoto-Baltazar in the shallow-left corner of the endzone for the only points of the evening.
The Waveriders’ defense still played strong in the fourth quarter — as defensive back Kainalu Macabio picked off Miller in the endzone to prevent another touchdown — but their offense couldn’t string together a consistent drive to match the Warriors. Defensive back Keanu Mariteragi picked off Nahakuela midway through the fourth, effectively ending the game.
Waiakea (1-1) is now at .500 in the early season after falling to Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) powerhouse Konawaena on Aug. 17. The Warriors will next host their only non-conference matchup of the season against Moanalua at 11 a.m. Saturday in Hilo.
Kealakehe (0-1) showed bright spots with its defensive intensity and offensive potential with the sophomore Nahakuela’s playmaking ability with his arm and legs. The ‘Riders’ next challenge will be against Konawaena at 6 p.m. Friday at Waverider Stadium in a crosstown matchup.
Kahuku 13, Kona 0
In another non-conference matchup on O‘ahu, Konawaena football faced defending Open Division State Champion Kahuku on Saturday at the Red Raiders’ home field. Kahuku shut out the 2023 DI state runner-ups 13-0.
The Red Raiders did their scoring damage in the opening half, scoring all of their points by halftime. Kahuku was much more efficient than the Wildcats in the outing, converting 8-for-12 on third downs to Kona’s 2-for-12. The Red Raiders also rushed for 93 yards as a team to the Wildcats’ four.
Konawaena finished with more yards in the air, but it wasn’t enough to outdo the Red Raiders in scrimmage yards, who posted 172.
Wildcats sophomore quarterback Keenan Alani finished as the lead passer with 108 yards. His top receiver was Austin Takaki, who finished with a game-high seven receptions to go along with 48 yards. Teammate Malu Tan hauled in five catches for a game-high 62 yards.
Konawaena (1-2) will return to the Big Island this week to play Kealakehe on Friday at Waverider Stadium.
KSH 35, Honoka‘a 14
In a road game filled with torrential downpour and a soaked field, Kamehameha Schools-Hawai‘i football was able to win comfortably — 35-14 — on the road against the Dragons on Thursday in Honoka‘a town.
KSH’s highest-scoring quarter happened in the opening one, as the Warriors scored 15 points. Honoka‘a secured two touchdowns in the second quarter to make it 22-14 at the half, but KSH’s defense prevailed in the closing quarters while adding 13 more points on the board.
Due to inclement weather, both schools relied heavily on their run games.
Warriors running back Xander Hoopai finished with four rushing touchdowns to go along with 182 yards on the ground.
Clay Ching caught KSH’s only receiving touchdown of the night from backup quarterback Chanse Kaaua Long. The team finished with 310 scrimmage yards.
Defensively, teammate lineman Teva Sanchez secured a safety in the first quarter.
The Warriors (2-1) get back on track after falling to Moanalua on Aug. 17 on O‘ahu. Their next test will be against Pahoa at 6 p.m. Saturday at Kea‘au High School.
The Dragons (0-2) are still in search of their first win of 2024. They’ll attempt to enter the win column in their next game against Kohala at 6 p.m. Thursday at home.
Cancellations/postponements
The following BIIF football games were cancelled or postponed over the weekend due to the tropical storms:
• 8/24 Pahoa at Ka‘u (postponed)
• 8/24 Kohala at Hawaii Prep (postponed)
• 8/24 Maui at Kea‘au (cancelled)
