Kealakehe players participate in an drill during an afternoon practice. Kalani Takase | SL

View image 1 of 2

Scoreboard at Julian R. Yates Field on the campus of Konawaena High School. Kalani Takase | SL

View image 2 of 2

---

Kealakehe players participate in an drill during an afternoon practice. Kalani Takase | SL

View image 1 of 2

Scoreboard at Julian R. Yates Field on the campus of Konawaena High School. Kalani Takase | SL

View image 2 of 2

---

ScoringLive was on the west side of the Big Island Thursday to visit the reigning BIIF football champions Kealakehe (Divivision I) and Konawaena (Division II).

The teams saw their 2012 seasons come to an end a day apart last Fall with Kealakehe's loss to Farrington and Konawaena's loss to Nanakuli in the first round of their respective state tournaments. Both the Waveriders and Wildcats were hit with numerous losses to graduation over the offseason, but are eager for another shot in 2013.

Here are some thoughts based on practice observations of both teams.

Konawaena Wildcats

- The 'Cats have found a QB to replace Lii Karratti (transferred to Kaiser) in senior Brandon Howes – a transfer from Kamehameha-Hawaii. Howes is bigger than Karratti at 5-foot-9 and is more of a running threat than his predecessor, but started just one game as the Warriors' top backup last season.

- Look for good things out of WR Dishon Cho this season. The speedy fourth-year starter has embraced a leadership role on the team.

- Cho, along with fellow senior Chase Takaki, will give defensive coordinators headaches this season. Not only are they fast, both have great hands and run crisp routes. Takaki may never leave the field – he also plays defensive back and returns punts and kickoffs.

- All three of starting linebackers return, led by senior Evan Yamaguchi. Yamaguchi, who is also the starting catcher on the baseball team, suffered a shoulder injury in the first half of the Nanakuli loss and did not return to the game.

- The Wildcats are a loose bunch – none moreso than head coach Cliff Walters – but don't mistake their enjoyment as disinterest. The kids from Kealakekua took the loss to Nanakuli hard and it has seemed to fuel an offseason of weight lifting and bonding.

 Kealakehe Waveriders

-With its first game not until Aug. 24, Kealakehe is taking it slow. Coach Sam Papalii is drilling basics and fundamentals into his guys. Papalii spend much practice time on getting in a proper stance, tackling technique and alignment Thursday.

- Like in years past, the 'Riders are big. David Fangupo – the 350-pound RB/DT – has graduated and is now at the University of Hawaii. Among those stepping up to replace Fangupo are Travis Lualemaga (6-1, 315 lbs.) and Tui Eli (6-4, 295). Both will play on the offensive and defensive lines.

- Roles have yet to be defined for many players. Papalii had all players participate in both offensive and defensive drills and everyone – down to the quarterbacks – took part in tackling drills.

- It will take time for Kealakehe to put it together offensively. After all, just three starters return and the top five rushers from a year ago are gone. Junior QB Kaimi Wilson (6-1, 190) transferred in from Konawaena to replace last year's starter Jordan Cristobal, who graduated in June. Senior RB Keanu Tilfas will be look to lead a ground game that averaged over 193 rushing yards a game last year.

- You won't have to wait very long into a Kealakehe practice to hear the voice of Papalii ringing across the field. He's showing his players – over and over – how he wants every little aspect of every drill done. He notices one player's misalignment from across the field. He's meticulous, demanding, but mostly passionate – you can tell the guy loves every minute of it.

In other news, very sad to hear the announcement from the BIIF (first reported by Josh Pacheco on BigIslandNow.com) that Kohala will not field a football team this year. Whatsmore, Kau is said to be in limbo of dropping its team as well. Walters voiced his frustration with the situation, saying that Kohala officials assured at a meeting earlier this calendar year that the Cowboys would have a team for the 2013 season.