HILO — Hilo football closed its season on a high note Thursday night at Wong Stadium.
The Vikings posted their third shutout of their season against local rival Waiakea, winning 44-0. With the win, Hilo finished with the third-best record in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) Division I.
The Vikings averaged nearly 32 points per game and allowed less than 19. Starting the season out slow at 2-3, Hilo turned its season around with three straight wins to close 2024.
Waiakea (2-7 overall, 2-6 BIIF) has much to be proud of as well, as the team posted its first win since the 2018 season in 2024.
Konawaena 54, Kea‘au 20
BIIF-leading Konawaena football notched its seventh straight win on Friday over second-placed Kea‘au at Julian R. Yates Field. The Wildcats won 54-20 thanks to another strong offensive performance.
Sophomore quarterback Keenan Alani completed 16 of his 20 attempts for 259 yards, five touchdowns and an interception. His top weapon, senior receiver Austin Takaki, grabbed seven receptions for 110 yards and three scores. Teammate Hayden Nishida caught four passes for 60 yards and two receiving touchdowns.
In the run game, Hercules Nahale led Kona once again with 13 carries for 110 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, lineman Elias Malapit recorded seven tackles and 3.5 sacks, while Funaki James-Fainga had two of his own. Linebacker Wyatt Wehrsig secured an interception, while linebacker Lokuhao Lapera forced a fumble. Lineman Zeiden Fujihara-Faavesi also secured a fumble recovery.
On the Cougars’ side, senior quarterback Diego Pettypool passed for 198 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. His top target was Jesse-James Douglas, who caught four passes for 102 yards and a score. Teammate Josiah Nihoa caught the other touchdown pass.
Charlie Salazar was Kea‘au’s top rusher, going for 68 yards.
Kona (8-2 overall, 8-0 BIIF) and Kea‘au (5-4 overall, 5-3 BIIF) will meet for the third and final time this season at 6 p.m. Saturday in the Central Pacific Bank/BIIF DI Football Championship at Julian R. Yates Field.
Thus far this season, the Wildcats are averaging 46 points per game while allowing under eight. The Cougars are scoring over 34 points per week while allowing just over 22.
KSH 63, Kohala 7
Kamehameha Schools-Hawai‘i football ended the BIIF season on a high note Friday, beating fellow DII opponent Kohala 63-7.
With the win, the Warriors automatically clinched the DII title, and will play in the state tournament.
KSH’s run game was the story of the night, as Xander Hoopai rushed for 173 yards and three scores on just 12 carries. Teammates Kaaipohaku Brown and Caleh Carvalho added three more rushing touchdowns together.
The Warriors posted 242 yards of net offense to the Cowboys’ 44.
Kohala running back Ayzen Yamamoto-Perez scored his team’s only touchdown.
KSH finished the 2024 regular-season slate at 11-1 overall and 10-0 in the BIIF. Its first-round state opponent is yet to be announced.
The Cowboys ended their season at 3-6 in the BIIF and 3-7 overall.
HPA 74, Pahoa 28
Hawaii Preparatory Academy football closed the season with its highest-scoring game of 2024 on Saturday, routing Pahoa 74-28 to finish 2024 at 6-3 overall — third in BIIF Division II.
Ka Makani running back Alaka‘i Aipia finished one of the most dominant rushing campaigns in HHSAA history, rushing for 274 yards to add to his 2,163 yards and 25-touchdown season. Thanks to Aipia’s services, HPA closed 2024 as the top rushing team on the island.
Ka Makani averaged 38.4 points and allowed 18.4 per week. The Daggers finished 1-8.
Honoka‘a 68, Ka‘u 26
Honoka‘a football’s high-powered offense showed out once again in its final matchup of the season — blasting Ka‘u 68-26.
With the win, the Dragons finished second in BIIF DII at 7-3 (7-4 overall). They averaged an impressive 35 points per game, scoring over 30 points four times.
The Trojans finished in the cellar of BIIF DII at 1-8.