KEALAKEKUA — Mission Viejo came to Kealakekua as advertised, bullying Konawaena for much of the night and coming away with a 38-14 victory on Friday.
The Diablos had three rushers top 50 yards and racked up 213 yards on the ground as a team. Jacquez Robertson led the way with 84 yards. Tyson Scott scored a pair of rushing TDs.
Starting quarterback Peter Costelli played three quarters for Mission Viejo, going 11 of 29 for 162 yards and two total touchdowns — one through the air and one on the ground on a long scamper.
It was tough sledding early for the Wildcats, but Konawaena managed to end the game on a high note, scoring a pair of touchdowns.
Kainoa “Boo” Jones completed 15 of 31 passes for 152 yards and two scores to Joseph Roback and Hezekiah Anahu-Ambrosio.
Roback and Kaden Baptista snagged interceptions for Konawaena. Alex Muti had a late fumble recovery that set up a touchdown.
Konawaena trailed 35-0 at half, but the scoreboard didn’t tell the entire story of the game, at least on the defensive side of the ball. The Wildcats were able to play with the Diablos for much of the first two quarters but just couldn’t prevent the big plays.
Costelli rumbled for 42 yards right down the middle of a muddy Julian Yates Field for a score in the second quarter and also connected with TJ Roelen on a 28-yard touchdown. As a team, Mission Viejo notched 179 rushing yards in the first half. Ryder Fitch represented for the Diablo defense, finding the end zone on a 28-yard interception return.
With a running clock, the second half zoomed by, but the Diablos managed to tack on a 38-yard field goal from RJ Lopez.
Konawaena embarked on its best drive of the game late in the third quarter, using a trio of consecutive completions and two 15-yard flags to get into Diablo territory. The Wildcats broke the shutout when Anahu-Ambrosio hauled in a 22-yard highlight reel catch in the left corner of the end zone.
Konawaena added another score late when Muti recovered a fumble deep in Diablo territory and Jones found Roback a few plays later for an eight-yard TD pass.
Konawaena gets back to BIIF play next week as they travel to take on Honokaa on Friday.
Mission Viejo14 21 30 — 38
Konawaena 0 07 7 — 0