HONOKAA — Hilo once again proved that no team in BIIF Division I football reloads like it does. Even as they waltz to the championship game, the Vikings also showed some of the resolve they might need if their depth is in fact put to the test again.
HONOKAA — Hilo once again proved that no team in BIIF Division I football reloads like it does. Even as they waltz to the championship game, the Vikings also showed some of the resolve they might need if their depth is in fact put to the test again.
Hilo had an easy time Friday night in a 35-6 victory against Honokaa, but the three-time defending champion played the last three quarters without all-league quarterback Ka’ale Tiogangco, who suffered an apparent shoulder injury.
Coach Kaeo Drummondo said Tiogangco, who had his left arm in a sling after the game, will visit a doctor Monday.
“We don’t know how bad it is,” Drummondo said. “We’ll have to wait and see. It’s just really unfortunate.”
The Vikings (4-0 BIIF, 4-1) already were ahead by three scores and had exerted their defensive dominance when Tiogangco walked off the field after being tackled on a keeper on the final play of the first quarter. He favored his left arm and when he got to the sideline he hit a chain-link fence with his right arm in frustration.
“When Tiogangco went out we were just thinking for the best,” said senior linebacker Rylen Kaniaupio, who also had a rushing touchdown. “We really didn’t want to think about how bad it was going to be.”
Freshman Kyan Miyasato came in for Tiogangco and finished 6-14 for 56 yards, including a touchdown pass to Lukas Kuipers.
“If he’s out, our offense might not be as explosive without him for sure,” Drummondo said. “The defensive has to accept it, they have to relish that opportunity.”
Facing an attacking defense, the Dragons (1-3 BIIF Division II, 2-3) never gave themselves a chance, losing four more fumbles, and they’ve lost three games in a row.
In the first half, Honokaa had six turnovers — including two interceptions by Kaleo Apao — managed just four yards of offense and its only first down came on a penalty.
“I think it was mostly about execution,” Kaniaupio said. “We saw that the offense was struggling at the beginning so we knew we had to be on our game.”
For the second week in a row, Hilo jumped out to a 35-0 halftime lead and put it on cruise control.
Tiogangco, opened the scoring with a touchdown run after Apao fell on a muffed punt at the Honokaa 5. Tiogangco also engineered a 55-yard drive that ended with Kaniaupio’s short touchdown plunge, which was set up by a nifty run by Kalei Tolentino-Perry, who atoned for an earlier drop on the drive.
Tolentino-Perry is also a weapon on special teams, making two midrange field goals.
“They understand to be as good as we want to be it’s about the three phases of the game,” Drummondo said.
The defense more than did its part.
It scored on a safety when Ka’aina Lewis shot through on a blitz, S. Wela Mamone took back a fumble for a score, and an Apao pick set up a Tolentino-Perry field goal.
“We always just push forward,” Kaniaupio said. “We is greater than me, that’s our motto, so we keep it mind every time.”
Honokaa’s offense earned its initial first down against Hilo’s second stringers in the fourth quarter. Ocean Guerpo-Beamer hit Kelvin Falk for a 54-yard reception, setting up the junior quarterback’s short touchdown run.
Honokaa finished with 105 yards of offense, with all but 13 of those coming through the air.
The Dragons welcome Konawaena next Friday and are in danger of falling out of the Division II championship game race with a loss.
Kahale Huddleston and Nainoa Kane-Yates combined to run for 111 yards for Hilo and Tiogangco added 48 more on the ground.
The Vikings face Waiakea next Friday at Wong Stadium and could clinch an apprearance in the D-I title game with a win. First they need to find out who is going to be their quarterback.
Hilo coaches like Miyasato’s makeup as a passer, but the offense thrives best when Tiogangco provides a run-pass threat out of the read option.
“Ka’ale presents challenges for any team,” Drummondo said.
Miyasato filled in for an injured Tiogangco (leg) in Week 1 of the BIIF season as Hilo came back to beat Konawaena.
The question now is if the job will be his for an extended period of time.
Hilo 16 19 0 0 – 35
Honokaa 0 0 0 6 – 6
First quarter
Hilo — Ka’ale Tiogangco 5 run (Kalei Tolentino-Perry kick), 11:21
Hilo — FG Tolentino-Perry 35, 7:46
Hilo — Rylen Kaniaupio 2 run (pass failed), 3:17
Second quarter
Hilo — FG Tolentino-Perry 36, 3:36
Hilo — Safety, Honokaa tackled in end zone, 1:18
Hilo — S. Wela Mamone 30 fumble return (Tolentino-Perry kick), 2:30
Hilo — Lukas Kuipers 8 pass from Kyan Miyasato (Tolentino-Perry kick), 0:08
Fourth quarter
Honokaa — Ocean Guerpo-Beamer 1 run (run failed), 2:29
Dodtot on Monday