KAILUA-KONA — The game started late but Konawaena (5-1) arrived in a hurry.
After a nearly hour-long delay due to a jersey misunderstanding (both teams brought their whites to play in), the Wildcats came out with four first quarter touchdowns and rode out a 40-7 victory against rival Kealakehe on Thursday.
It was a homecoming night at Kealakehe (3-3) that featured a little bit of everything, including the lights going out with about 10 minutes left in the game. After some conversation, both sides agreed to call it just before 11 p.m. on the school night.
Kealakehe’s first three drives featured an interception returned for a touchdown, a turnover on downs and a fumble inside its own 25. Konawaena flipped all three into scores and added a TD from Kainoa “Boo” Jones on the ground late in the quarter to make it 28-0.
Kealakehe running back Elijah Kahele stopped the bleeding with a highlight reel 69-yard run to narrow the margin to 27-7, but the Waveriders were facing an uphill battle playing from behind without their quarterback Sheynen-Wyatt Nahale, who was ejected in the first quarter.
Jones finished with 269 yards and three total touchdowns (2 rushing, 1 passing), but also tossed three interceptions. He added a 73-yard connection with Marc Basa (7 catches, 104 yards) to close out the scoring. Wildcat freshman standout Hezekiah Anahu-Ambrosio scored two touchdowns — one apiece on offense and defense.
Kealakehe used three quarterback in all and finished a collective 2-of-14 for 8 yards and two interceptions. Kahele finished just short of 100 yards, collecting 93 with the Konawaena defense locked in on him.
Anahu-Ambrosio and Joseph Roback had interceptions for Konawaena, while Jesse Meza, Keahi Ching and Zane Martin had picks for Kealakehe.