Seven BIIF football teams step onto the gridiron across isle this weekend, including one non-conference matchup on Friday night on the Kona side. Konawaena, Hilo, Pahoa and Waiakea will enjoy the week off and return to action next week.
Kealakehe vs. PAC-5
In the lone non-conference duel of the week, Kealakehe football (3-1 BIIF, 3-3 overall) will host PAC-5 from Oahu on Friday night at Waverider Stadium. The game was recently added to the ‘Riders schedule to give the revamped team another challenge at state competition from outer islands.
The Hilo junior varsity team will take on Kealakehe’s junior varsity squad first at 5 p.m., with the varsity ‘Riders expected to take on the Wolfpack around 7:30 p.m.
Kealakehe has been on a roll over the last three weeks after starting 0-3 — beating Kohala in a 36-29 road thriller, routing Hawaii Prep 41-7 for its first home win and dismantling Waiakea 56-7 in its homecoming matchup last weekend. Under new head coach Brian Hill, the ‘Riders are on their first three-game win streak since 2021.
Averaging 24.2 points per game, Kealakehe presents a balanced attack on offense — led by savvy play from sophomore dual-threat quarterback Kanoa Castillo-Simmons and electric running back Gabriel Chong.
The ‘Riders hope to keep their momentum going against PAC-5, which currently stands at 2-1 with its last win against Kalani by a score of 27-3.
The Wolfpack are led by senior quarterback Colton Amai-Nakagawa, who has completed 61.1% of his passes for 526 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions. His favorite receiver has been senior Mission Uperesa-Thomas, who has caught 12 balls for 193 yards and four scores. PAC-5’s ground game is led by senior Elijah Connell-Chavez, who has averaged 6.5 yards per carry for 260 yards and five touchdowns.
The Wolfpack’s defense has also been stout, allowing just 16.3 points per game and holding opponents to under 10 points in two of their three games.
KSH vs. Honoka‘a
With both teams 2-2 in the BIIF, Kamehameha-Hawaii and Honoka‘a will battle it out at 6 p.m. Friday on the Hamakua Coast for the first time this season. A year ago, the Warriors were 2-0 against the green and gold.
Coming off a road loss against Konawaena, the hosting Dragons are expected to be hungry and motivated for a big win. Honoka‘a is led by its two-quarterback system of junior Hapaki Moniz and sophomore Kage Yadao, supported by top receiver Kaenan Martines. The Dragons’ backfield consists of Chrys Coelho and Blaize Jardine.
Despite last week’s loss to the Wildcats, Honoka‘a has shown plenty of bright spots at the midway point of the 2025 season. The Dragons routed Hawaii Prep 51-0 on Aug. 28, while also handling Kealakehe 26-6 on Aug. 22. They average 22.5 points per game while allowing 19.
KSH is coming off two straight losses, and hasn’t won a game since Aug. 16 against Kealakehe. Despite recent shortcomings, the Warriors have all the talent to leave Honoka‘a town with a win. The guests are led by star sophomore running back Dallas Enriquez, who has rushed for nearly 300 yards and three touchdowns — including a 110-yard, two-touchdown performance against Kea‘au two weekends ago.
The quarterback position is filled by junior Chanse Kaaua-Long, who is in his first year as a starter. His top receivers are juniors Chaseton Wong (207 yards, three touchdowns) and junior Cole Walker (180 yards, two touchdowns) and senior Paliku Nachor (173 yards). KSH averages 27.8 points per game.
Defensively, the Warriors allow 22 points per game, and have recorded one shutout.
Kea‘au vs. HPA
Hawaii Prep football, which has dropped its first three games, will host Kea‘au at 2 p.m. Saturday in Waimea for Ka Makani’s first home game of 2025. It will be the first time the schools have faced off since Sept. 2018 due to the teams being in different divisions.
HPA was routed by Honoka‘a, Kealakehe and Hilo over the first three weeks, but is looking to have a big bounce-back game at home. After losing star running back Alaka‘i Aipia to graduation last spring, Ka Makani has had to reinvent their offensive attack.
The team is led by senior quarterback Hayden Kalama, who is surrounded by a newer cast of characters when it comes to weaponry. The red and white’s top skill players consist of freshman running back Waika Takushi, junior receiver Landon Wilson and senior receiver Jaren Peltier.
Still looking to find rhythm and consistency, HPA hopes they can find it against the visiting Cougars, who come into Saturday rested and motivated after two big wins over KSH and Hilo.
Kea‘au (2-0 BIIF, 2-2 overall) is led by backfield star Charleston Salazar, who has rushed for 559 yards and three touchdowns over an impressive six yards per carry. Arguably the most dangerous running back on the island, Salazar’s presence in the backfield has opened things up in the Cougars’ passing attack — which is led by first-year starting quarterback Trustin Gomes.
The signal caller has thrown for 605 yards and six touchdowns to go along with three picks. In the last two wins alone, Gomes threw for a combined 365 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. Kea‘au averages 17.3 points per game.
Ka‘u vs. Kohala
The Kohala Cowboys will visit Pahala for a 1 p.m. kickoff Saturday against the hosting Ka‘u Trojans, who are coming off a bye week after beating Pahoa on Sept. 6.
Kohala (2-1 BIIF, 2-3 overall) is coming off two straight wins — a 53-0 rout of the Daggers and a 36-7 beatdown on the road against Waiakea. Playing better than usual in 2025, the Cowboys average an impressive 30.2 points per game while allowing 20.8 — holding their opponents to less than 10 points in three different matchups.
The team is led by running back Tirus Perez, who possesses a rare blend of speed and agility with forceful rushes. The senior has also been a gamer on special teams as a returner, consistently putting Kohala’s offense in prime field position.
Senior Ayzen Yamamoto-Perez has also been a staple in the Cowboys’ rushing attack, as the running back has shown flashes of greatness when he has space in the open field.
Kohala’s passing game is led by dual-threat sophomore quarterback Kaualeinahua Reyes, who has often moved the chains with his legs. Reyes’ top receiver is running back pass catcher Sheldon Anchetta-AhPuck, who rushed for an impressive 55-yard touchdown against the Daggers last week — bouncing off a number of Pahoa defenders to fight for extra yardage.
Ka‘u (1-1 BIIF, 1-2 overall) had to forfeit its first game of the season against Waiakea, but is 1-1 since — falling 37-22 to Molokai on Aug. 30 and beating the visiting Daggers 54-32 earlier this month. While there is little to go off of the Trojans’ season thus far, the team is averaging 25.3 points while allowing 23.7.
The two schools went 1-1 against each other a year ago.