KAPAAU — Makai Pang has waited a long time.
For Kohala’s senior running back – who last found the end zone as a freshman in 2019 after missing last season with an injury and the season before due to COVID – one trip into the end zone after such a long wait just wasn’t enough. After a one-yard touchdown plunge in the second quarter, a return visit was necessary.
Pang capped his day with a 29-yard touchdown scamper in the third quarter, leading the way in the Cowboys’ impressive 36-6 victory over the visiting Daggers of Pahoa.
“It felt amazing,” said Pang. “Just being on the field feels amazing… I’m just ready to bounce back and make the season special.”
Kohala head coach Jay Blanco was quick to compare Pang to another Cowboy back: his father.
“His dad was an all-star running back,” Blanco said of Pang. “He wears the same number his dad did, and he plays the same style. He can hit it with power; he can bounce it.
“He’s electric, just like his dad.”
Pang was one of many weapons surrounding quarterback Hezekiah Wilson, who made his first start for the Cowboys. Wilson threw a pair of touchdowns in his debut: one in the first quarter to Nalu Reynolds and another in the fourth to Kahaka Catrett.
Isaiah Antonio capped the scoring with Kohala’s longest touchdown of the day, racing 55 yards to put his team up 36-6.
The Cowboy defense stifled the Daggers all game; Pahoa’s lone score came on the last play of the first half, when Cash Cohen scooped up a Cowboy fumble and raced more than 80 yards to the end zone to make it a 14-6 contest.
Blanco was proud of how his players bounced back, first stopping the ensuing 2-point conversion and then shutting down Pahoa’s offense the rest of the game.
“The person that fumbled made the tackle to stop the 2-point conversion,” said Blanco. “Keep your head up: there’s always an opportunity to make it up.”
Kohala won the turnover battle, forcing five turnovers to Pahoa’s two. Trever Figueroa, Ayzen Yamamoto-Perez, and Easton Hoshida each intercepted Dagger quarterback Donivan Lynch once.
Pahoa (0-1) will have a quick turnaround; they travel to Kamehameha (1-0) on Thursday. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.
Kohala (1-0) now turns their focus to next Friday’s 6 p.m. game at Honokaa (1-0). The Cowboys are hoping they can notch the first victory by one of the old “8-man” teams (Pahoa, Ka‘u, Kohala) against an “11-man” team.
“We’re trying to get that monkey off our back,” said Blanco.
“It would mean a lot,” added Pang. “Just playing Honokaa and Friday night lights is a different feel. Plus, that’s our rivals.
“It’s going to be a good game. I’m stoked for it.”
Konawaena 74, Waiakea 0
Eight different Wildcats found the end zone Saturday afternoon at Waiakea as Konawaena displayed impressive firepower in their BIIF opener on Saturday.
Quarterback Keoki Alani spread the wealth, throwing six touchdowns to five different receivers. Ah Mook Sang caught two, while Hezekiah Anahu-Ambrosio, Zedekiah Anahu-Ambrosio, Landon Daquel Shimabukuro and Isaac Clement each hauled in one apiece. Both Anahu-Ambrosio brothers also recorded a rushing touchdown, as did Keawe Navas-Loa and Nakoa Hing.
Ro’o Satta-Ellis was a perfect 10 for 10 on extra point attempts.
Konawaena did most of their damage early, scoring 60 points before halftime – 25 in the first quarter and 35 in the second – to remove any doubt of the contest’s outcome. A pair of safeties – one by Hezekiah Anahu-Ambrosio and another by Trez Uemoto – rounded out the scoring.
Konawaena (1-0) will host Kealakehe (0-1) next Friday night in their first game of the season at Julian Yates Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 19
Kamehameha 45, Hawaii Prep 0
A year ago, only seven points separated Hawaii Prep from Kamehameha in their two meetings on the gridiron en route to Ka Makani claiming the BIIF Division II crown.
Times have changed.
In their BIIF opener Friday night, Hawaii Prep had no answers for a Warrior team that was overwhelming from the first snap. Kamehameha’s Tobey Lau found the end zone less than four minutes after the opening kickoff, and the Warriors cruised to a dominant 45-0 victory. Lau was also a force on defense, racking up three sacks on the night, including a strip sack on the game’s opening possession to set up his rushing touchdown,
Four different Kamehameha receivers – Makaiokalani Snyder, Kekainalu Fuerte, Ty Watterson and Javan Feary – caught touchdowns, and senior kicker Elijah Dinkel connected on three field goals in the blowout win.
Hawaii Prep struggled in the field position battle, turning the ball over three times in addition to struggling in the punting game. Kamehameha took control of the game in the second quarter, racking up 25 points to give them a running clock in the second half.
Michael Perry led Kamehameha’s aerial attack, completing 12 of 20 passes for three touchdowns and 201 yards. Snyder was Perry’s favorite target, hauling in seven passes for 75 yards.
Defensively, the Warriors limited Hawaii Prep to just 87 total yards. Ka Makani’s Luke Hendricks completed just nine of his 26 passes for 60 yards.
Ka Makani (0-1) will have a chance to avenge Saturday’s loss when Kamehameha (1-0) travels to Waimea to take on Hawaii Prep on October 1.
Next week, Kamehameha will look to keep their momentum rolling as they stay at home against the Daggers of Pahoa on Thursday night; kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. Hawaii Prep will return to Waimea to host Ka‘u on Saturday at 3 p.m.
Hilo 52, Kealakehe 2
For a brief moment, the Waveriders had a chance to take control of Friday’s BIIF opener against Hilo.
Leading 2-0 after forcing a safety on their first defensive play, Kealakehe had the ball on Hilo’s 36-yard line, poised to take a two-score lead midway through the first quarter.
It was all Hilo from that point forward.
The Vikings forced a turnover on the very next play, and then Xiah Kanae gave Hilo a 7-2 lead with a 46-yard scamper into the end zone.
Add in three more second-quarter touchdowns – two on the ground by Kanae and Kaohu Kaluna, one through the air from Kaluna to Kayden Silva – and Hilo had firmly taken control of the game away from the Waveriders.
Kealakehe found ways to sustain drives – primarily behind some hard-nosed running by Lawrence Nahakuelua – to dominate the time of possession, but failed to punch any drives into the end zone. Nahakuelua led the Waveriders with 91 yards on 19 carries; Kanae led Hilo with 104 yards rushing on 11 carries.
A three-yard run by Kaluna midway through the third quarter pushed Hilo’s lead to 42-2, triggering a running clock. Kaluna was efficient for the Vikings, completing 13 of his 17 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns while also running for a pair of touchdowns. His Kealakehe counterpart – Cody Jones – completed 9 of his 20 passes for 124 yards and four interceptions.
Kealakehe (0-1) will travel to Konawaena next week to take on the Wildcats, while Hilo (1-0) will host Keaau at Wong Stadium on Saturday. Kickoff for both contests is scheduled for 7:30.
