To state that Konawaena likes to throw the football is like saying a fish enjoys water. It’s a good thing the Wildcats have a promising young quarterback in sophomore Keoki Alani, who has room to grow on his 5-foot-11, 155-pound frame and a ceiling for more production.
The Wildcats brought their spread offensive attack two hours from Kealakekua and blitzed Waiakea 54-0 in a BIIF Division I game Saturday at Ken Yamase Memorial Stadium, which turned off the imu and featured a nice dose of Hilo’s wet weather.
“Our kids played well, and we were thinking about execution,” Konawaena coach Brad Uemoto said. “Obviously it’s hard not to think about our next opponent (Kealakehe). They stayed focused.
“Waiakea has made huge strides this season, and Neil (Azevedo) definitely has his program turning in the right direction, sad to see that their season is done but happy for Neil and their future.”
Alani went 18 of 25 for 298 yards, four touchdowns, two harmless interceptions and ran for a 3-yard score. Ro’onui Satta Ellis, who doubles as the kicker, had four catches for 113 yards and three touchdowns. Landon Daquel-Shimabukuro, the backup QB, had two receptions for 19 yards and two TDs. Isaac Clement had four catches for 51 yards.
“There were some things we wanted to work on going into the next few weeks, so they gave us a different look, and I wanted to put our young quarterback in different situations early on, and obviously we ran it more in the second half,” Uemoto said. “Sometimes, it’s good to know that run is coming, so we have to execute even more. Our offensive line has been working really hard. They’re getting coached up and keep getting better every week.
“Our quarterback coach Eric (Clement) is also coaching wide receivers, and he’s got these kids at practice working really hard, working on their route running, and it’s paying off for them. They’ve been hungry. Keoki, just mentally, is ahead of his age. He’s making good decisions, growing and maturing into the position, and that’s what we want to see.”
The Wildcats rushed just four times in the first half. But junior Kawelu Kaiawe, who had three carries in the first 24 minutes, finished with eight attempts and 95 yards and three touchdowns.
The Wildcats (3-0) also have a promising young ballhawk safety in AJ Blanco, a 5-10, 160-pound freshman. The youngster had two of his team’s four sacks.
“We wanted to add some blitzes, utilize him. He’s such a good player,” Uemoto said. “He’s just a freshman, such a bright future. We wanted to get him going and see what kind of packages we’ve got for the next few weeks.”
It’s really pick your poison against the Wildcats. If they get blitzed, Alani will quickly find the 1-on-1 matchup and deliver an accurate ball. Drop coverage and Alani will rely on his patience and receivers to get open.
Defensively, the Wildcats anticipated run and held the Warriors to negative 37 yards on 28 carries. Reyn Segovia-Tanonaka had it rough and was 2 of 17 for 2 yards on senior day, which honored Segovia-Tanonaka, QB/TE Scott Ramboyon, RB Keanu Tavares, WR/DB John Torres, DB Renzo Vidad, RB Isaiah Acdal, S Reef Kohara, LB Tevita Hala Latu, LB Rudy Martinez, OL Isaac Dakujaku, DL Kris Tamanaha, and OL Aidan Tyrin.
The only statistical good news was that Waiakea (0-4) won the turnover battle, 3-0. Jai Miyamoto and Malachi Torres each had an interception, and Noland Mau had a fumble recovery.
The Wildcats jumped on the Warriors early in the first quarter with three touchdowns. Alani threw a 54-yard scoring strike to Ellis, the PAT missed but Konawaena led 6-0. Alani scored on a 3-yard run. With under a minute left, Alani tossed a 2-yard TD to Ellis, who took the direct snap and ran in for the two-point conversion and 21-0 lead.
In the second quarter, Konawaena had another three touchdown parade. Ellis caught a 37-yard touchdown. Daquel-Shimabukuro had a 7-yard TD, and Kaiawe rushed for a 1-yard score and a 41-0 halftime lead.
Kaiawe scored on a 7-yard run and a 48-0 cushion as the third quarter disappeared quickly like sand through a sand clock. The junior running back closed the scoring with an 8-yard TD in the fourth quarter with 11:09 left.
The Warriors only had two questions left: Could they get a first down and score?
On Waiakea’s ensuing series with the ball at the 35 on fourth-and-2, Segovia-Tanonaka plowed ahead for two yards and a first down. It was a small but good celebration for the Warriors, who took any small victory on the field that they could get.
After Mau recovered a fumble to get the ball back near midfield, Segovia-Tanonaka started the offense, which operated out a spread and occasional split-back look, at the 49. On third-and-10 with five second left, he took the snap, dropped the ball, recovered it and dropped it again as the Wildcats pounced on him.
The game ended and so did the season for the Warriors, who’ve have always found victories in other areas besides the football field.
“For the kids to be back on the field, it’s a plus. It’s a young team, and I’m proud of our 12 seniors,” Waiakea coach Neil Azevedo said. “For us, we had a few in AP (advanced placement) class, the rest all had 3.5 GPAs or better. They’re wonderful young men, academics first and athletes second. Looking at the future, we only got bright young guys, and it’s only going to get better for us.”
