Football
KS-Hawaii, Konawaena to square off in BIIF contest




The Big Island Interscholastic Federation gets into gear this weekend with Division I and Division II teams playing their first regular season game. Even though it's just the league-opener for all the teams, one game in particular will have a playoff atmosphere to it.

Kamehameha-Hawaii, ranked No. 7 in the ScoringLive/OC16 Division II Power Rankings, will go on the road to take on the fourth-ranked Wildcats in what could be a preview to the BIIF Division II championship game. The Warriors are itching to play in their first game of 2014 while Konawaena is happy to get its full roster on the field.

ScoringLive caught up with Kamehameha-Hawaii coach Dan Lyons and Konawaena co-offensive coordinator Brad Uemoto before the big game.

ScoringLive: Describe your team’s current situation in one word.
Dan Lyons: "Eager, because we have not had a pre season game due to the storm. The boys are eager to play someone other than ourselves and get this season started."
Brad Uemoto: “Hungry. With a load of kids coming off of academic probation, this will be their first game action of the year. Many of these kids dedicated themselves in the offseason and had to watch their teammates take the field while they took care of their schoolwork.” 

SL: What are some challenges your team faces this year?
DL: "Youth. We are young in many areas, offensive line, linebacker. It’s going to be exciting to see how these young men develop as the season progresses."
BU: “Replacing all-league quarterback Brandon Howes, two-way all-league player Chase Takaki and defensive player of the year Makoa Chapa will be a big challenge.”

SL: Which player or group of players is the heart of your team?
DL:
"On the defensive side of the ball our two linemen, Pono Davis and Ryan Sanborn. Offensively all of our skill guys (quarterback, running backs and receivers)." 
BU: 
“Bubba Ellis-Noa is our leader. He is reserved and quiet, but he is probably the most effective leader that we’ve had. He works hard, leads by example and the entire team respects him.”

SL: How do you feel about playing this opponent to open up league play?
DL:
"I think it’s a great time to play this opponent. It is a great measuring stick to determine how and where we need to improve from here."
BU: “I honestly feel it will be a great measuring stick for both of us. The one thing in our favor is that it’s a home game for us. We have great supporters and game of this magnitude will draw a big crowd that our kids thrive off of.”

SL: What do you think will be a key matchup in this game?
DL: 
“Offensive and defensive line. I think this game will be won at the line of scrimmage."
BU: “The key matchup will be (quarterback) Micah Kanehailua versus the Konawaena defense. Micah seems to have a great grasp of what they are running over there. We will not give him anything easy. Changing looks and creating pressure is what we need to do to make things difficult for him.”

SL: What do you expect from Friday’s contest?
DL: 
“A hard fought battle against the three-time defending Division II Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion. A great measuring stick for us.”
BU: “We expect this game to be a tough battle with a playoff atmosphere. We expect nothing but full effort from our players. It should be a great game."

Kickoff between the Warriors and Wildcats is set for 7 p.m. at Julian Yates Field.



Reach Michael Lasquero at [email protected].




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