KEA‘AU — The Cougars football team displayed its best performance of the season yet on Thursday night at Kea‘au High School.
Second-year head coach David Murray’s squad routed Waiakea 61-0, showing dominance in all three facets of the game to overwhelm the visiting Warriors.
“We thought the boys executed well,” Murray said. “We made a few mistakes that set us back a little bit, but they worked through it on both sides and we were able to make some big plays.”
And making big plays, the Cougars did. Kea‘au posted 777 total yards of offense, including 472 rushing. The Cougars’ elite backfield of Charlie Salazar and Israel Buchin-Recio, who have played a big part in the team’s offense through the first three games, stole the show once again — as Salazar ran for 201 yards and two touchdowns, while Buchin-Recio rushed for 189 and five scores. Elson Kalaawe scored the other rushing touchdown.
“Our run game has worked out pretty well for us over the past few games,” Murray added. “We flourished on that side (against Waiakea).”
Kea‘au senior Diego Pettypool made up for the rest of the team’s scrimmage yards through the air — completing 12 of his 17 attempts for 305 yards. He also added 68 yards on the ground. Pettypool’s three favorite receivers on the night were Shayden Takamatsu, Kelii Kahale and Jesse-James Douglas, who combined for eight catches for 222 yards. Salazar also caught three passes for 65 yards.
Now in his third season as the starting quarterback, Murray has been impressed with Pettypool’s maturity level and decision making on the field in the early part of his final year with the Cougars.
“He’s not greedy,” he explained. “He puts the team first in all of the decisions he makes. It’s all about the team for him.”
Defensively, Kea‘au’s unit put up as strong of a performance as you could ask for in the shutout — as Cyler Quick led the way with a pick six and two tackles for loss. His teammate, Keldon Wassman, additionally grabbed an interception. Zaeden Moreira led the group in tackles with five.
“Our defense was flying all around the field, which gave us opportunities” Murray said. “Being that aggressive on the field is something that you cannot teach — it’s something that comes from within.”
Now at 3-0, the Cougars are at their best start to a season since ScoringLive began tracking the school’s records in 2009. Murray explained that staying disciplined and focused each week will be key in maintaining their hot start.
“I tell the boys every day that we have to be like blue-collared workers,” he said. “We just need to focus on the job at hand and aim at getting it done. The work we put in will start to stack up.”
Kea‘au will have its biggest test of the season on Friday against BIIF DI powerhouse Konawaena at home. The game will come as a rematch to last year’s BIIF DI Championship, in which the Wildcats won 48-6.
Waiakea (1-3) will next host Hilo on Sept. 21 at home.
See Tuesday’s paper to read up on the rest of this weekend’s BIIF football matchups.
Volleyball
Kamehameha Schools-Hawai‘i girls volleyball maintained its unbeaten start to 2024 with a straight-sets win over Hilo on Thursday in Kea‘au.
The Warriors beat the Vikings 25-12, 25-9 and 25-19. Maile Kuamo‘o logged 30 assists with three service aces — her second game this season with 30 or more assists. Shay Beals and Camryn Grace led KSH with 22 combined kills, while Kealohi Dudoit and Ziona Launiu tallied 13 digs together.
Currently at 7-0 and in the No. 1 spot in BIIF Division I, the Warriors will next play fellow DI rival Waiakea on Monday in Hilo. As of Friday afternoon, Waiakea sits in second in the division behind KSH.
Hilo (2-1), now in third in BIIF DI, will host Ka Umeke on Monday night in the Vikings’ gymnasium.
Thursday’s junior varsity match also featured the Warriors winning over Hilo in two sets — 25-9 and 25-10.
Up in Honoka‘a town, Parker also kept its hot start going against the Dragons, beating them in straight sets — 25-6, 25-12 and 25-15. The Bulls are now at 7-0 and in the No. 1 spot in BIIF DII, while Honoka‘a is at 2-4 in seventh place.
Parker will be tested Monday night against second-placed Hawaii Preparatory Academy in Castle Gym. The Dragons will play Makua Lani Christian Academy on Tuesday in Kona town.
In Thursday’s junior varsity matchup, Honoka‘a beat the Bulls in two sets — 25-20 and 25-20.
See Monday’s paper to read up on the rest of this weekend’s BIIF girls volleyball matches.