KEALAKEKUA — The energy was different around Konawaena’s practices this week as the Wildcats prepared for six-time Division I champion Hilo.
It needed to be.
More hitting. More focus. More anticipation.
“I think we’ve had some our best practices of the year this week,” Uemoto said. “With our low numbers we have mostly been keeping things light, but we were able to get real physical. The energy and competition level has been high.”
The Wildcats (4-0) are locked in as they welcome Hilo (4-0) to the jungle of Julian Yates Field tonight in a battle of undefeated teams, which will have a much different feel than years past.
Konawaena can no longer consider a matchup against the Viks as a lighthearted measuring stick game. Now in the same division after taking the leap to D-I in the offseason, the matchup with Hilo carries extra weight and major implications as the two-powerhouse squads battle atop the BIIF standings.
“Hilo has won six straight championships and a state title. There’s no question that they’re in control of Division I,” Uemoto said. “This is a big game for our program. We have prided ourselves on our ability compete on the Division I teams in the past, but now this is completely different. There’s something on the line.”
Neither team has had to experience much adversity so far this season. The Wildcats have outscored BIIF opponents 168-14 through four games, while the Viks have a whopping margin of 277-21 against Big Island foes, bolstered by a 104-0 blowout of Waiakea.
“We are coming into this game obviously playing to win, but also expecting to learn a lot about ourselves,” Uemoto said.
While the numbers have been off the charts in the box score, Konawaena has been doing it mostly with a skeleton crew. The team has hovered around 30 players on game day, the low-point being a 24 against Honokaa. However, Uemoto has seen the challenge of a small roster help his team bond in a unique way.
“With small numbers it’s easier to develop the camaraderie,” Uemoto said. “There are a lot of good friendships on this team. They all help each other out and know they are part of the recipe. I think this is one of the most tight-knit groups we’ve had.”
The steady play of quarterback Kainoa “Boo” Jones has helped keep Konawaena on its juggernaut pace. But even that came with a twist. Uemoto said Jones hurt his ankle in a non-league game against Mission Viejo back on Aug. 23, which has forced the junior QB to sit in the pocket more, relying more on his instincts as a passer rather than athletic ability.
“It was a blessing in disguise and has helped him with the mental approach to our offense,” Uemoto said, noting the Jones has looked spry this week in practice. “Reading coverages, watching film — he’s got all of that. It was just the execution part. He’s made huge strides the last few weeks focusing on the details.”
Jones has passed for 991 yards, 12 touchdowns and just three interceptions in league play.
A benefit of the blowouts has been that the Wildcats have been able to test out their stable of backs. Freshman Hezekiah Anahu-Ambrosio has taken on the lead role most weeks and uses his explosive athleticism and surprising power to pick up his yards. Maui Ellis-Noa is a pure power runner, although he’s shown the ability to break away if he finds a hole. Makakoa Auwae can also throw defenders for a loop, while Schyler Suzuki and Riley Sato have also proven to be capable options as well.
“They all bring something different,” Uemoto said. “We can mix it up and find out what we need offensively within the game.”
For as impressive as the offensive has been, the defense has managed to shine just as bright. A fourth quarter score by Waiakea last week was just the second Konawaena had allowed against a BIIF team this season.
There’s a ton of raw physical talent all over the unit, whether it’s the Wildcats powerful defensive line led by BYU commit Alex Muti, the linebacking corps bolstered by its quiet leader Samson Iona, or the long and strong secondary that has kept opponents’ passing games in check.
“Our kids have always been built tough. Football blends into their upbringing a lot of the time. We don’t need them to play different than who they are,” Uemoto said. “We are lucky to have a group as physical as these guys.”
They’ll have their hands full against a Hilo offense that is chock full of talent, including defending D-I Offensive Player of the Year Fiki Aguiar and University of Hawaii commit Kilohana Haasenritter, who transferred from Kamehameha after a junior season where he was named the league’s top offensive weapon in D-II.
At quarterback is senior Kyan Miyasato, who will rival Jones for the league’s passing crown. He’s recorded 954 yards and 13 touchdowns in four league games. Miyasato also takes care of the ball, having tossed just one interception this season.
“They’ve got a lot of weapons. It can be hard to prepare for,” Uemoto said. “It’s a pick your poison type of situation.”
The teams will face off again to close out the regular season on Oct. 25 in Hilo.
Konawaena’s Alex Muti heading to Polynesian Bowl
The Polynesian Bowl has selected its first 2020 All-Star from the neighbor islands.
Konawaena defensive end/linebacker Alex Muti, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound BYU commit, has been added to the 2020 game.
Muti is the second Wildcat to be selected to the Polynesian Bowl, now in its fourth year, joining quarterback Austin Ewing, who was 2-for-4 passing for 40 yards in the 2018 game.
Other players from the neighbor islands selected to the game are Baldwin’s Mango Finau (2017), Maui’s Feleti Afemui (2017), Kapaa’s Mo Unutoa (2017), Hilo’s Kahale Huddleston (2018) and Kapaa’s Elijah Unutoa (2019).
The other 20 players selected to the 2020 game from Hawaii high schools are Saint Louis linebackers Jordan Botelho and Nick Herbig and defensive tackle Stanley McKenzie, Punahou defensive back Alaka’i Gilman and offensive lineman Solatoa Moea’i, Saint Louis receivers Roman Wilson and Matt Sykes, Kahuku offensive lineman Micah Soliai Howlett and cornerback Kaonohi Kaniho, Mililani linebackers Muelu Iosefa and Bam Amina, defensive lineman Shane Kady and offensive lineman Sergio Muasau, Farrington offensive lineman Faaope Laloulu, Saint Louis quarterback Jayden de Laura and safety Kamo’i Latu, Waipahu running back Alfred Failauga, Campbell two-way standout Tamatoa Mokiao-Atimalala and Kapolei defensive end Maceal Afaese.
Saint Louis leads the way with seven players selected to the 2020 game followed by Mililani (four), Kahuku and Punahou (two) and Farrington, Campbell, Kapolei, Waipahu and now Konawaena (one).
Another player from Hawaii will be announced shortly.
The 2020 Polynesian Bowl will take place Saturday, Jan. 18, at Aloha Stadium featuring 100 of the best high school football players in the country. The majority of the players will be of Polynesian ancestry.
Billy Hull of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser contributed to this report
