For the first time in more than a month, Konawaena is back on the road to take on Honokaa at 7:30 p.m. Friday night.
For the first time in more than a month, Konawaena is back on the road to take on Honokaa at 7:30 p.m. Friday night.
While the home comforts of Kealakekua might be on hold, the Wildcats can find solace in being firmly in control of their playoff destiny. With a win against the Dragons, Konawaena (3-1) would lock up a spot in the Division II title game.
“It would be huge to be able to do that,” Konawaena head coach Brad Uemoto said. “It would take a little bit of an edge off knowing that we will have that opportunity to play for a BIIF title.”
Kamehameha (3-1) will also have a chance to clinch a DII title game berth against winless Hawaii Preparatory Academy on Saturday. If those wins come to fruition, the Oct. 8 meeting between the Wildcats and Warriors will be a battle for home field.
Meanwhile, Honokaa is trying to keep its narrow postseason hopes alive. After beating Kealakehe in the BIIF opener, the Dragons have dropped three in a row. Calls to the coaching staff were not returned by press time.
The Dragons may not have momentum on their side, but they will have a raucous homecoming crowd backing them when Konawaena comes to town.
“It’s a hard place to play,” Uemoto said. “We have had some battles there over the years and we expect a good game.”
The Dragons offense found success early in the season with a fleet of sure-handed, athletic wide receivers and a speedy dual-threat QB in Ocean Guerpo-Beamer. While the unit’s production has slowed — scoring just two offensive touchdowns the last two games — Uemoto and his staff understand the potential their offensive attack possesses.
“On the perimeter, there are some things we have to make sure we account for. We respect their personnel,” Uemoto said. “But athlete for athlete, we feel confident. I feel we always match up well against teams in the BIIF.”
And rightly so. Last week — as it has for most of the season — Konawaena moved the ball at will against a strong Kealakehe defense, picking up big chunks of yardage at a time and routinely turning in scoring drives of two minutes or less.
The Wildcats have won their last three games by an average of more than 38 points per game. A big part of that has been improved line play.
“Our line has really stepped up to the challenge,” Uemoto said. “The wide receivers are also running good routes. That allows Austin (Ewing) to make throws a little quicker and the line doesn’t have to protect as long.”