Before he left, Hilo High football coach Kaeo Drummondo was under the impression the Vikings were going to open the preseason with a home game against Waipahu.
When he got back, he got an interesting phone call.
“The Campbell coach notified me that Waipahu had a different opponent,” Drummondo recalled. “So he asked, knowing that, if we needed a game.”
Yes, actually.
Since the Vikings made their signature stamp and set HHSAA championship history, they’ve navigated their share of twists and turns.
Roughly four months after Hilo became the first BIIF school to claim a state football title, Drummondo stepped down in early March after three championship seasons to ponder taking a college coaching position.
“I was just down,” senior Kahiau Walker said. “I was thinking what are we going to do. Who’s going to step up?”
About a month later, Drummondo decided to return.
“I was pretty stoked,” Walker said. “OK, we have someone to work with. This is going to be a good year.”
Drummondo and Walker just caution that this may take some time.
The Hilo team that is seen taking the field against OIA power Campbell is not likely to be the same foe BIIF teams will get once the season starts to unfold 27 days later against Hawaii Prep. The Vikings are bringing 30 players to Saturday’s matchup in Ewa Beach, Oahu, for their only preseason game.
“Unfortunately, I think 15 players who are going to start or be directly involved in everything we do this year are not eligible to play for various reasons,” Drummondo said. “Fully healthy, it would be a tall task, and now we have to fill these holes with younger players, it’s not ideal.
“For those younger players it’s valuable experience, as long as we get out healthy.”
While Drummondo stayed, add Tilini Livai’s name to the list of all-BIIF players – a staggering 11 in all – that Hilo must replace.
Livai, a mammoth offensive lineman, was recognized last season by his coaches as Hilo’s best college prospect, but he moved to the mainland for his senior season, and Drummondo said he’s committed to the University of Utah.
“That was a huge loss for us,” said Drummondo, whose team doesn’t return a starter on either side of the line.
Forget about trying to gauge Hilo’s offense based on its play against the Sabers.
A pair of quarterbacks Drummondo would like to see take charge won’t make the trip to Oahu, so the signal-calling duties will be handled by a rotation of senior Guyson Ogata, a play-making wide receiver last season, senior Kalae Akui and junior Kyler Aguair. The base package the Vikings use will be but an offset look later on in the season.
“Offensively, we’ll be completely different (during the regular season).” Drummondo said. “That will be a good thing for us, because no one will have film on us.”
Freshmen Lyle Silva and Tysen Kaniaupio will be counted to play key roles against a Campbell team that Drummondo calls fast, athletic and aggressive – the Viking’s got an up-close look at the Sabers’ talent during a recent 7-on-7 tournament.
Silva will get carries at running back and play linebacker, while Kaniaupio will start at left tackle, a spot Drummondo expects him to lock down all season.
The closest link between last year’s team and the 2018 version is in the secondary, which features returnees Elijah Apao, Kalen White and Walker.
“We bring up last season,” Walker said. “Coach brings it up. This is a championship-caliber team, so we just have to continue to work that way.”
After Saturday, it’s 27 days and counting – with perhaps a few scrimmages here and there – for Hilo to find an identity.
“For this particular team, that setup is perfect for us,” Drummondo said. “No complaints.”