Hilo Glides Past Waiakea in Preseason Affair

***Updated at 12:59 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17 to correct the name of the Hilo receiver who caught the first touchdown pass.***

The Hilo High Vikings opened their 2013 season with a 36-6 non-league victory over Waiakea High School Friday.

Junior quarterback Donovan Kelley took the helm of an offense that was looking to rebound from a disappointing end to last season, a blowout loss in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division I championship game at Kealakehe.

The athletic Kelley made his mark, throwing a touchdown pass and rushing for another in the win. Kelley was 4-for-8 passing for 39 yards with a touchdown and an interception. His biggest contribution, however, came on the ground. Kelley ran for 118 yards and a late second quarter touchdown.

Both teams struggled early to gain traction on the slick and muddy Wong Stadium grass. Hilo would find it’s groove midway through the opening period, however, reeling off a 13 play, 84 yard drive that led to Kelley’s touchdown pass to Hunter Macabio in the back right corner of the endzone. Rayce Takayesu’s extra point gave Hilo a 7-0 lead with 2:34 remaining in the first quarter.

The Warriors’ struggles continued into the second quarter when Devin Preston fumbled the football away. Hilo’s Walter Chandler recovered the loose ball and, six plays later, Malu Lapilio took advantage of the short field position by running in a four yard touchdown to extend Hilo’s lead to 14-0 with 4:42 left in the first half.

The 5-foot-9 sophomore was Hilo’s workhorse in its run-heavy offense. Lapilio carried the football 23 times for 65 yards.

Waiakea (0-2) gave the ball back on its very next drive. Senior quarterback Kayed Rodrigues was picked off by junior cornerback Ku`ilua Mortensen, who returned it to Hilo’s 46 yard line.

On the very next play, Kelley ripped off a long 43-yard run down the left side of the field to get to Waiakea’s 11 yard line. Four plays later, Kelley capped off the five play drive by calling his own number for a two-yard touchdown run. Hilo took a 21-0 lead with :47 left on the first half clock.

The Vikings turned it over for the first time late in the third quarter when Tysen Pasco-Brown picked off Kelley to give the Warriors field position and a chance to get back into the game. Two plays into the fourth quarter, however, Rodrigues fumbled the ball away in Vikings’ territory. Hilo’s Jon Salzman recovered the loose ball.

Once again, Hilo took advantage of its cross-town rival’s miscues. Ofa Fahiua barreled down the field for a 35 yard run on the next play. Ten more yards were tacked on to the run after the Warriors were called for a personal foul. Three plays later, Justyn Frias ran right up the middle of the Warriors’ defense to score from five yards out, extending Hilo’s lead to 28-0 with 10:15 remaining in the game.

Waiakea caught a lucky break on its next drive. Rodrigues was picked off inside Hilo’s 20 yard line by Kamaloni Kauvaka, but the junior linebacker lost the football trying to return it. The Warriors recovered the fumble at the Vikings’ 19 yard line and got into the endzone when Rodrigues found Shane Picanco II from 16 yards out. A bad snap kept the extra point try from going off, leaving the score at 28-6 in favor of Hilo with 7:30 remaining.

Rodrigues was tasked with throwing the football more with his team well behind on the scoreboard. The Warriors’ starting quarterback went 7-for-15 passing for 118 yards with a touchdown and 2 interceptions. He also rushed for six yards on seven carries.

On the ensuing kickoff, Hunter Macabio found a seam over the middle of the field and returned Tyler Kerr’s kick 85 yards for the Vikings’ score. On the extra point try, place holder Kelley had trouble with the snap, so he got up, rolled to each side of the field, and eventually found Takayesu, the place kicker, for two points.Hilo took a 36-6 lead with 6:57 remaining.

Hilo (1-0) excelled on the ground, rushing for 231 yards on a soggy field. The Vikings’ defense also played a big part by forcing five Waiakea turnovers.

The Warriors were led by Preston, who rushed for 120 yards on 28 carries. He also caught a 22-yard pass. Picanco caught five passes for 74 yards.

In the junior varsity contest, the Vikings blanked Waiakea 13-0.

Hilo hosts Konawaena next Friday in its final preseason contest. Waiakea will host Honoka`a the following night. Both games will be played at Wong Stadium.

Waiakea 0 0 0 6 – 6

Hilo 7 14 0 15 – 36

Scoring summary

1st quarter

HILO (2:34) – Donovan Kelley 14 yd TD pass to Hunter Macabio (Rayce Takayesu XPT good)

2nd quarter

HILO (4:42) – Malu Lapilio 4 yd TD run (Takayesu XPT good)

HILO (:47) – Kelley 2 yd TD run (Takayesu XPT good)

4th quarter

HILO (10:15) – Justyn Frias 5 yd TD run (Takayesu XPT good)

WHS (7:30) – Kayed Rodrigues 16 yd TD pass to Shane Picanco II (XPT failed)

HILO (6:57) – Hunter Macabio 85 yd kickoff return for TD (Kelley pass to Takayesu)