KEALAKEKUA — Homecoming games always bring an additional dose of excitement, but Friday’s Big Island Interscholastic Federation matchup between Division II contenders Konawaena and Hawaii Preparatory Academy had more highs and lows and twists and turns than a theme park ride.
KEALAKEKUA — With less than four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Julian R. Yates field was quiet — the first time in hours during a raucous homecoming night.
After being down 20 points, Hawaii Preparatory Academy (1-3 BIIF, 2-4) was driving with a chance to tie the game.
Konawaena (3-1, 4-1) was reeling, having already dealt with an injury to starting quarterback Shelton Grace and a controversial ejection of senior captain and two-way star Bubba Ellis-Noa.
But the game seemed to be on the backburner for now. Konawaena’s Koa Basque lay on the turf surrounded by trainers, who signaled for an ambulance to come onto the field.
“It was hard to re-engage the kids,” Konawaena head coach Cliff Walters said. “We have been lucky with injuries. We have not had that many. When they see a comrade go down, it is a touchy situation for these guys. Immediately, there was emotion after Koa’s injury. The love they have for each other as teammates is very evident.”
After the injury timeout, HPA quarterback Koa Ellis scrambled 25 yards into Konawaena territory, but Ka Makani soon faced a fourth down from the 20-yard line. Under pressure, Ellis heaved a ball to the back corner of the end zone, but it fell incomplete and the Wildcats wrapped up a 27-20 win in a rematch of last year’s Division II Big Island Interscholastic Federation title game.
“Football games are supposed to be played how this one was played here tonight,” Walters said. “It was hard-fought until the very end. Anyone who came to watch this game saw a heck of a performance by both teams.”
Konawaena broke its postgame huddle with a “Koa” chant for the injured teammate, but despite a third straight victory, the mood was somber. Among the lingering issues was the ejection of Ellis-Noa for helmet-to-helmet contact.
According to BIIF rules, Ellis-Noa must miss the team’s next game against Division II adversary Honokaa, unless the team appeals the ejection. Walters said he would look at the tape before officially appealing.
Ellis-Noa — who is the heart of the defense from his middle linebacker spot and a Swiss Army knife on offense — addressed his teammates after the game.
“I told the guys I was sorry for my actions,” Ellis-Noa said. “I was not being the best example of a captain. It’s not how we want to represent our town or our team.
“I think we would all feel a lot better if I never got kicked out and Koa did not get hurt, but you are always satisfied with a win. There are some minor things we will have to go back and look at, but I think guys stepped up and we played well as a team tonight.”
The Konawaena passing game continued its steady progression, with Shelton Grace going 17 for 26 for 190 yards and two touchdowns before exiting with an injury to his nonthrowing shoulder in the third quarter.
Nearly a dozen of Grace’s completions came on quick screen passes, which opened up big plays downfield. Kayson Mahiai caught a 41-yard pass to open up the scoring for the Wildcats and Ellis-Noa scored on a 51-yard strike in the second quarter.
Ellis-Noa racked up 99 yards and the touchdown reception, and added 27 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Algene Kelekolio led the Wildcats’ rushing attack with 73 yards and a touchdown, and Cameron Howes contributed 268 total yards through kick returns and carries.
HPA did not get on track until its final drive of the first half, which resulted in a touchdown from the familiar combination of Ellis to tight end Nicky Palleschi on a fade route.
Ka Makani had just 68 yards of total offense in the first half. Before the scoring drive, the team had no first downs and Ellis — also the team’s punter — had more punts (6) than completions.
Ellis finished the contest 15 of 33 for 160 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
Ka Makani linebacker Caleb Kagawa returned a Grace fumble 76 yards for a score, and wide receiver Justin Perry had a 22-yard touchdown catch.
“What we tell our guys week after week is that we want to improve and get better as a team heading into the playoffs,” HPA head coach Jordan Hayslip said. “I was happy with the way our guys battled back and never gave up. We have had some great games with Konawaena the last three seasons. This is just another example of that.”
Konawaena cornerback Luca Vartic and Palleschi battled all night — mostly in single coverage and isolated on the outside. Palleschi caught 11 passes for 77 yards and a touchdown, but Vartic had four pass deflections and an interception.
It’s the first time this season Palleschi has been held under 100 yards receiving, but there were a handful of flags thrown on Vartic for defensive holding and pass interference.
“That was quite the show those two put on,” Walters said. “I don’t know about all those penalties though. I’m not an official, and a lot of the plays happened away from us on the other sideline, but there were a lot. It was a great battle though.”
Both teams have crucial D-II matchups next week. Konawaena travels to Honokaa, and HPA hosts Kamehameha