Football coaches Kaeo Drummondo of Hilo High and Brad Uemoto of Konawaena talked at midfield as their players warmed up before kickoff Friday night, and in some instances they might have felt like they were looking across the field at a mirror image.
“Two prideful programs with hard-nosed kids, ” Drummondo said. “Hard-working kids that want to get after you.”
That pride was never more on display than last November at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu when both played for HHSAA championships. The Vikings were crowned the best team in the state in Division I, but considering their only loss was to the Wildcats, it could be argued the Viks didn’t have a right to be branded the best team on the Big Island.
Well, they can now.
Hilo left little question in a cross-divisional battle of BIIF dynasties at Wong Stadium, shutting out Konawaena 25-0 to secure home-field advantage in the league championship game.
“We’re a young team and I think the kids are starting to understand,” Drummondo said. “We’re starting to hit a stride, we’re starting to actually become a football team. The IQ is growing weekly.”
The Viks (6-0) will host Kealakehe in two weeks in search of their sixth title in a row.
Meanwhile, the Wildcats (4-2) suffered a second consecutive loss, and Kamehameha secured a homeagainst Konawaena in the Division II title game (Oct. 27 or 28) with a win 51-0 win against Waiakea on Saturday night.
All four finalists are scheduled to play makeup games during a previously scheduled open date next weekend – Kamehameha plays Hilo, while Kealakehe and Konawaena have a rivalry game – but since those games have been rendered those games meaningless in the standings, Uemoto said he’d try to have the Wildcats’ game canceled and would, if necessary, consider a forfeit.
“I don’t want to play if there is nothing riding on it,” he said. “We want to focus on one team for two weeks.”
Said Drummondo: “We’ll prepare as if we have a game (next week).”
Hilo junior quarterback Kyan Miyasato overcame a slow start but generated enough big plays, throwing for two touchdowns, to back a smothering defensive effort.
Konawaena finished with just 74 yards of offense.
“Offensively, we’re just kind of a rhythm team,” Uemoto said, “and we just didn’t have it tonight.”
Kaleo Ramos found tough sledding at times but ran for 93 yards and a score for the Vikings, who won their 10th league game in row since stubbing their toes last September against Konawaena, who went on to lose to Lahainaluna in a seven-OT thriller in the state D-II final.
“It’s just execution,” said Uemoto, adding that lighting and rain in Kealakekua last week limited the team’s preparation time. “We practiced for two days this week and it showed up. We just looked bad.”
If Friday night was any indication, Konawaena will have to continue to rely on its sturdy defense to lead the way as it vies for a seventh BIIF title in eight seasons.
Saddled with horrible field position for much of the first half, the Wildcats’ eight possession mustered just 39 yards, and they failed to take advantage of two turnovers. Hilo snuffed out Kona’s short passing game, and freshman quarterback Sheynen Nahale was 12 of 30 for 51 yards and was intercepted twice (Kapana Kanae-Kane and Kainalu Lewis).
“We’ve been there with a freshman QB,” Drummondo said. “You have to a certain degree simplify the game for him as much as you can.
“I’m sure they want to throw it down the field a lot, you have to live with the limitations of the quarterback you have. He’s a young kid. I think the investment, in the long run, will be great for him and that program.”
Miyasato was 13 of 35 for 195 yards, with touchdown tosses of 24 yards to Fiki Aguiar and 11 to Guyson Ogata with an interception (Kaha’i Navas-Loa).
Elijah Apao returned the opening kickoff 58 yards, and though Hilo couldn’t capitalize on the drive, it pinned the Wildcats deep in their territory, setting a tone for the half, which featured a field heavily tilted in the Viks’ favor.
Miyasato misfired on 10 of his first 11 passes as Hilo posted only one first down on its first four possessions near midfield.
But Vikings receivers started to get behind Konawaena’s defense after Hilo’s Kahiau Walker blocked a Harry Hill punt out of the back of the end zone for a 2-0 lead.
“(We) were just getting beat,” Uemoto said. “At the end of the day, they were just executing.
“Our defense I don’t think they played up to their full potential. Hilo executed and they found openings and made plays.”
Apao set Hilo’s first scoring drive in motion with a 29-yard return off Hill’s free kick.
Kalae Akui did everything but catch touchdowns, with five receptions for 98 yards, and Ogata had five grabs as well.
With Konawaena trying to avoid its first shutout in league play since Kamehameha blanked the Wildcats in 2015, Cyrus Jumalon recovered a blocked punt deep in Hilo territory in the second half, but the Vikings’ held, tacking on a defensive safety.
Hilo’s dynasty shined brightest Friday night.
“They’re disciplined and they play tough,” Uemoto said. “In those better teams, they play assignment football and they’re hard to beat.”
Konawaena 0 0 0 0 – 0
Hilo 9 7 9 0 – 25
First quarter
Hilo – Punt blocked out of end zone
Hilo – Kaleo Ramos 5 run (Masila Siua kick)
Second quarter
Hilo – Fiki Aguiar 24 pass from Kyan Miyasato (Josh Rosario kick)
Third quarter
Hilo – Guyson Ogata 11 pass from Miyasato (Rosario kick)
Hilo – Runner tackled in end zone
Editor’s note: This story has been modified to update with coach’s reaction and Kamehameha’s win Saturday night.