Kamehameha now knows the importance of having someone who can kick a football 17 yards through the goal posts for a point after touchdown.
It’s only one point but sometimes that’s the slim difference between victory and defeat, especially if other parts of your game just aren’t clicking and the opposition keeps offering free gifts.
Hilo defeated the two-point chasing Warriors 27-20 in overtime in a Big Island Interscholastic Federation game on Friday night before a full house at Wong Stadium.
The Division I Vikings (2-0) forced OT when Cohlby Espaniola caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from Sione Atuekaho in the fourth quarter, which turned ugly for the home team with three personal fouls.
Hilo finished with 11 yellow flags for 125 yards in penalties, including four times for holding and those three personal fouls in the fourth quarter. Kamehameha had nine penalties for 53 yards, including one personal foul and no holding calls.
It wasn’t just the discipline part that was ugly.
The Vikings had eight turnovers, including three that were converted into Warrior touchdowns. Kamehameha had two giveaways, both harmless interceptions in the fourth quarter.
The Division II Warriors (1-1) couldn’t produce any type of ground attack, and had 58 yards on 31 carries, a 1.9-yard average. They pass-blocked just fine, and senior quarterback Micah Kanehailua was 26 of 48 for 271 yards with two touchdowns and two picks, though several balls went through receivers’ hands.
Chase Peneku rushed for 50 yards on 15 carries while Bayley Manliguis caught nine balls for 104 yards and Grant Shiroma had four receptions for 80 yards while Isaiah Tauati starred for Kamehameha’s defense with an interception and fumble recovery.
Hilo’s offensive line pushed defenders backward or moved them enough to open holes for Tristin Spikes, who also powered his way for positive yardage when doors were shut. The senior running back ran for 132 yards on 27 carries, proving once again that even though there’s a bull’s-eye on his back he still finds a way to move chains.
Quarterback Sione Atuekaho was 9 of 21 for 155 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions, including three in the first quarter. His top target was Keaho Kaawa, who had three catches for 88 yards, including a 30-yard TD in the second quarter.
The third quarter was thrilling for the Vikings’ faithful. Donavan Kelley showed he’s a home-run threat any time he touches the football. To tee off the third quarter, Kelley returned the kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown to cut Kamehameha’s lead to 20-13.
In overtime, each team gets the ball on the opponent’s 20-yard line.
The Vikings got the ball first in OT and on the second play Spikes rushed for 12 yards to get the ball at the 1-yard line. Four plays later Atuekaho was hurt and Spikes took over at QB.
In the Wildcat, Spikes took the direct snap and rushed for 4 yards. On the next play, he ran left instead of right and soared into the air from 1 yard out. Rayce Takayesu made the PAT for a 27-20 lead.
On Kamehameha’s second play, Kanehailua threw a completed pass, but a fumble was recovered by the Vikings to end the game.
The Warriors had more than their fair share of golden scoring opportunities. Hilo had eight turnovers, but Kamehameha scored just three times: Peneku’s 15-yard run, Grant Shiroma’s 50-yard reception after Tauati’s pick, and Manliguis’ 19-yard catch after Caleb Baptiste’s interception.
However, Kamehameha went 1 of 3 on two-point conversion attempts. That’s a .333 percentage, great for a baseball batting average, not so much for football.
In the junior varsity game, it was Hilo 29, Kamehameha 7.
Kamehameha 6 14 0 0 0 — 20
Hilo 0 7 6 7 7 — 27
First quarter
KSH — Chase Peneku 15 run (pass failed), 1:19
Second quarter
Hilo — Keaho Kaawa 30 pass from Sione Atuekaho (Rayce Takayesu kick), 9:40
KSH — Grant Shiroma 50 pass from Micah Kanehailua (Caleb Baptiste pass from Kanehailua), 1:13
KSH — Bayley Manliguis 19 pass from Kanehailua (pass failed), :16
Third quarter
Hilo — Donavan Kelley 85 kickoff return (kick failed), 11:45
Fourth quarter
Hilo — Colhby Espaniola 24 pass from Atuekaho (Takayesu kick)
Overtime
Hilo — Spikes 1 run (Takayesu kick)
