KEAAU — Hilo played the type of smash-mouth football that its BIIF championship teams often used to dominate opponents.
Though the Vikings run a pistol offense, they still played better in every phase of the game in a 41-6 rout over Kamehameha on Saturday at rainy Paiea Stadium.
The Warriors (1-2 BIIF D-II, 4-2) had one lone highlight: Kaeo Batacan’s 78-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.
He finished with 105 yards on 16 carries. But take away Batacan’s long gain and Kamehameha had just 26 yards on 24 attempts, for a 1.1-yard per rush average.
The Vikings (2-1 BIIF Division I, 2-3 overall) were supposed to have a weak link in the secondary with four new starters. But they allowed just 53 yards and had two picks.
Kamehameha quarterback DallasJ Duarte was 1 of 5 for 12 yards with two interceptions, and Kamakana Pagan went 7 of 12 for 53 yards, and later left the game in the second half after he was tackled hard to the turf.
But most of all, the Warriors struggled with ball security. They had seven turnovers, and three were converted into a Hilo touchdowns.
Meanwhile, it’s tough to hand a gold star to one of Hilo’s units (offense, defense or special teams). However, the special teams might have the right to stand front and center.
Hilo kicker Lukas Kuipers showed off his strong leg, and had five touchbacks. He also booted field goals of 15 and 41 yards. The junior Vikings also had excellent punt coverage, and pinned a ball at Kamehameha’s one-yard line, which later led to a safety and a 24-6 lead in the second quarter.
Earlier in the quarter, Hilo’s special teams shined when Ka’aina Lewis blocked a punt, and Rylen Kaniaupio recovered the ball in the end zone for a 22-6 Viking cushion.
Even when the Viks coughed up the ball, it was all harmless turnovers. The Warriors could do nothing with one interception and two fumble recoveries.
Hilo junior Ka’ale Tiogangco went 9 of 18 for 89 yards with two touchdowns and one pick.
The Vikings finished with 177 yards on 34 attempts, a healthy 5.2-yard average. Pono Auwae led the way with 49 yards on five carries. Isaac Lerma had 48 yards on 10 attempts, and Tiogangco added 47 yards on eight carries.
It was an entertaining first half, especially for the waterlogged Viking faithful, who saw the Warriors commit four turnovers; Hilo had just one harmless turnovers, but one costly coverage breakdown.
On Kamehameha’s third possession, the Viks flushed hard on the run, and their linebackers collapsed every hole, except for one. Batacan found an opening between the left guard and tackle, and scooted 78 yards for a score.
But other than that it was a Hilo highlight show from start to finish.
On the game’s opening drive, Kamehameha fumbled, and five plays later Malu Lapilio scored on a 1-yard run.
The Warriors threw an interception on their next possession, and Kuipers later drilled a 15-yard field goal. That was soon followed by Batacan’s 78-yard score.
Tiogangco connected with Keaho Kaawa-Wilson for an 18-yard scoring strike near the end of the first quarter to push Hilo ahead 16-6.
The second quarter featured Hilo’s specials teams: Kaniaupio’s TD fumble recovery, the safety and Kuipers’ 41-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, Kaniaupio had another fumble recovery to set up Tiogangco’s 12-yard touchdown pass to a wide open Joe Pagan for a 33-6 lead.
Kahale Huddleston scored on a 3-yard jet sweep to pile on Hilo’s fifth touchdown for a 41-6 cushion, after a two-point conversion. That final score was set up when had a bad snap for its seventh turnover.
Hilo 16 11 6 8 — 41
Kamehameha 6 0 0 0 — 6
First quarter
Hilo —Malu Lapilio 1 run (kick no good), 10:30
Hilo — FG 15 Lukas Kuipers, 8:24
Kamehameha — Kaeo Batacan 78 run (two-point conversion failed)
Hilo — Keaho Kaawa-Wilson 18 pass from Kaale Tiogangco (Kuipers kick), 5:13
Second quarter
Hilo —Rylen Kaniaupio fumble recovery (two-point conversion failed), 9:51
Hilo —Safety, ball snapped into end zone, 5:20
Hilo — FG 41 Kuipers, 1:32
Third quarter
Hilo — Joe Pagan 12 pass from Tiogangco (kick failed), 5:23
Fourth quarter
Hilo —Kahale Huddleston 3 run (Isaac Lerma pass from Tiogangco), 6:06
