Neil Azevedo didn’t hesitate for a second.
Down two scores and facing a fourth down at midfield, Waiakea’s coach never considered punting – especially not since he’s trying to turn the tide of the program.
“Show them the love and show them you believe in them,” Azevedo said.
On a scorching hot day on the field turf at Ken Yamase Memorial Stadium, his confidence couldn’t be contained and it spread like wildfire.
Justin Nakamoto-Baltazar ignited the Warriors’ comeback Saturday against Honokaa, throwing the go-ahead touchdown pass with 4:33 remaining, and Waiakea avoided a potentially disastrous fumble by coming up with one last stop for a 21-19 victory to end an eight-game BIIF football losing streak.
“These coaches, they are doing a real turnaround on the culture,” Nakamoto-Baltazar said.
In 2017, Waiakea went winless in the BIIF for the first time, its most previous league win coming in the 2016 regular season finale against Kealakehe.
With Nakamoto-Baltazar, a junior playing his first year of varsity, at the controls of the offense, Waiakea (1-0, 1-0 BIIF Division I) came through time and again with key third- and fourth-down conversions, utilizing an ensemble cast of playmakers.
“The heart of a champion right here,” Azevedo said after the game as he thanked his players and they, in turn, thanked him.
Klayton Gascon ran for two touchdowns and quarterback Malu Kanekoa accounted for the other for Honokaa (1-1, 0-1 BIIF Division II), which twice led by two scores but committed four turnovers. Honokaa mustered just 94 yards on the ground in losing to Waiakea for the first time in five tries.
“We showed up rusty,” Dragons coach Noeau Lindsey said. “In the running game from the get-go, they had us.
“Coach Neil has got them ready. I love my boys, but they were better than us today.”
The turning point might have come on the fourth-and-5 play from the 50 late in the third. Nakamoto-Baltazar hit Jason Kua-Cantan for 14 yards and a personal foul penalty brought the ball to the Dragons’ 20. Four plays later, Nakamoto-Baltazar powered into the end zone to make it 19-14.
Waiakea forced a three-and-out and took over at its 21. On third-and-10, Nakamoto-Baltazar found Vance Kamau for a 21-yard-gain, and later on fourth-and-3, Layne DePeralta scooted for 17 yards, setting up Nakamoto-Baltazar’s scoring strike to Cheyn Tam-Switzer.
“It’s all about execution and the hours we put in each day,” Nakamoto-Baltazar said. “I’m grateful. Without our line, we wouldn’t be able to make plays.”
At 5 feet 6, he doesn’t have prototypical size for a quarterback, but Nakamoto-Baltazar finished 12 of 25 for 121 yards and an interception.
“Doesn’t matter,” Azevedo said. “It’s the heart.”
The win didn’t come without a few heart-stopping moments.
Samson Thomas picked off Kanekoa to seemingly seal the deal for Waiakea. Needing only to run the clock out, a botched center-quarterback exchange sent the ball squirting deep into the backfield, and Honokaa fell on it at the Warriors’ 24 with 1:31 left.
“It happens,” Azevedo said. “We turn around and get stronger.”
Kanekoa converted a fourth-and-4 with a 6-yard scramble, but he was crushed by Kala’i Rosario for a sack, back to the 24, and as time was running out his desperation heave was intercepted by Isaac Sumera.
Rosario, a junior more well-known as a slugger on the Warriors’ baseball team, was a disruptive force on the defensive line.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he scored a couple of touchdowns this season,” Azevedo said. “He’s fast, he’s hungry and he’s crazy.”
Gascon ran for 75 yards on 20 carries, and Kanekoa got enough done through the air – 6 of 15 for 108 yards – to spark the offense.
Honokaa’s best scoring drive was a 62-yard march in the second quarter. Kanekoa hit Kalewa Oneil for a 49-yard completion, and he scored two plays later from the 1.
On the ensuing possession after a Waiakea three-and-out, a botched punt snap and a personal foul gave the ball to Honokaa at the 15, and Gascon went into the end zone on the next play to put the Dragons up 13-0.
Waiakea responded with a 68-yard drive in which it converted three third downs. Nakamoto-Baltazar began to find his rhythm with five completions, including two to DePeralta, who put the Warriors on the board with a 1-yard run.
Lindsey said Honokaa would treat the hot afternoon as a learning opportunity and happily retreat to the cooler comforts of North Hawaii to get ready for a Friday night home date against Hilo.
“We were cramping up,” he said. “It’s like a World War II trauma unit over here.
“My guys nicknamed this place the imu.”
Honokaa 0 13 6 0 – 19
Waiakea 0 7 0 14 – 21
Second quarter
Honokaa — Malu Kanekoa 1 run (Kamuela Boneza kick)
Honokaa – Klayton Gascon 15 run (run failed)
Waiakea – Layne DePeralta 1 run (Kaikeao Kane-Kalua kick)
Third quarter
Honokaa – Gascon 11 run (run failed)
Fourth quarter
Waiakea – Justin Nakamoto-Baltazar 1 run (Kane-Kalua kick)
Waiakea – Cheyn Tam-Switzer pass from Nakamoto-Baltazar (Kane-Kalua kick)