Hilo High School’s football team notched a big victory during its homecoming game on Friday, defeating Waiakea High 35-6.
The Vikings ran away with a 21-point first quarter and held the Warriors from scoring until the final minute of the fourth quarter.
Hilo scored on the first play of the game when Austin Aguiar connected a 59-yard touchdown pass to Tazein Sykes. The PAT kick snap was bobbled and rolled out of bounds, giving HHS a 6-0 lead.
After getting the ball back, Hilo drove into the redzone and Kolomona Kahanu carried in a 15-yard touchdown. The kick was good, making for a 13-0 Vikings lead four minutes into the first quarter.
With just under two minutes left in the quarter and Waiakea’s offense in the redzone, Nahulu Chartrand-Barco stripped the ball from one of WHS’ players and ran it back nearly 80 yards for a touchdown. A successful two-point conversion ran in by Aguiar gave the vikings a 21-0 lead.
Hilo’s next touchdown came three minutes into the second quarter when Aguiar connected a 35-yard pass to Exodus Francisco in the endzone. The kick was good, giving Hilo a 28-0 lead.
The Vikings didn’t score again until eight minutes into the third quarter. Aguiar notched his third touchdown pass, a 30-yarder to Peyton Pana.
Waiakea’s touchdown came with 15 seconds left in the game, when quarterback Keali‘ipono Miller ran a one-yard sneak across the goal line.
Friday’s game completed both teams’ first slate of DI outings.
Hilo’s record advanced to 3-1. The Vikings’ only loss so far was their season opener against Konawaena. The Wildcats lead BIIF DI with a 4-0 record and will travel to Hilo on Friday to face the Vikings for the second time.
Waiakea fell to 0-4. Though the Warriors’ multi-year losing streak continues, they have scored more total points (20) than during last year’s first four games (16).
The Warriors will return to their home field on Saturday to host Kea‘au HS (2-2 BIIF DI, 2-3 ovr.), kicking off at 1 p.m.