Run, Kahale, run.
Run, Kahale, run.
Kahele Huddleston put on another dazzling performance against an Oahu team Saturday, and this time it came in a winning performance.
Hilo left the Big Island in the morning and returned at night. In between, Huddleston scored six touchdowns, two on kickoff returns, and the Vikings steamrolled Iolani 62-35 in preseason game in Honolulu, Hilo’s first win on Oahu since 1975, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
“We’re headed in the right direction,” Hilo coach Kaeo Drummondo said.
The last time Huddleston was seen on the football field, he ran wild for 216 yards and two touchdowns Nov. 4 in a 26-25 loss to Leilehua in the HHSAA Division I quarterfinals. This time, the senior picked up 243 yards on just 13 carries, running for four touchdowns.
Lately, Hilo has had the drill down when it comes to facing the ILH teams in the preseason. The Vikings have absorbed lopsided losses, only to turn around and win the BIIF title for four years running.
This time was different.
“We knew in this case we were at least going to be able to match up physically,” Drummondo. “It was going to be a matter of how we executed.
Huddleston’s 99-yard kickoff return to open the second half gave Hilo a 42-7 lead, and after the Red Raiders, the D-I state runner-up last season, responded with a touchdown, Huddleston promptly returned the ensuing kickoff 98 yards.
“To tell you the truth, I was a little surprised they kept kicking top him,” Drummondo said. “He got good blocking, and when he gets to the second level, he’s hard to catch.”
On the ground, the senior, “did what he was supposed to do,” Drummondo said.
He scored on rushes of 26, 79, 68 and 31 yards.
Kaleo Apao passes for 107 yards and a touchdown, hooking up with Guyson Ogata for a 28-yard score, and also ran for as touchdown.
Shortly after Huddleston opened the scoring with a touchdown, Isaac Liu picked off a pass and returned it 36 yards for a score, and the rout was on.
“Hopefully, the team can come back Monday in practice and respond postively from this,” Drummondo said. “Wewant them to take pride in their preparations.”