Football
Special teams, a special group and a special season for the Wildcats


Michael Lasquero | ScoringLive
December 8, 2022, 12:05pm



Year 101.

State championship No. 1.

The Konawaena football team etched its names into the history books with a stellar season in 2022, which culminated in the school's first state title with a 38-28 win over Waipahu in late November.

The Wildcats cruised through Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division I play — outscoring league opponents, 557 to 20 — before gutting out hard-fought matches in the state tournament against Aiea and the Marauders.

It was a total team effort that saw contributions from many areas, with special teams providing to be the difference in Konawaena's postseason run.

The most glaring example of this came in the championship game when the Marauders lined up to attempt a 27-yard field goal in the second quarter to potentially cut into the Wildcats' lead to make it 14-10. The end result was a blocked kick that senior Chray Flanary took the distance 81 yards to give Konawaena a 21-7 advantage.

Konawaena senior defensive lineman Chray Flanary prepares to rush the passer in the championship game against Waipahu. Konawaena senior defensive lineman Chray Flanary prepares to rush the passer in the championship game against Waipahu. Michael Lasquero | SL

Konawaena sophomore Nakoa Ige lines up to kick a 36-yard field goal in the fourth quarter of the Division I state title game. Konawaena sophomore Nakoa Ige lines up to kick a 36-yard field goal in the fourth quarter of the Division I state title game. Michael Lasquero | SL

Trez Uemoto, Isaac Clement and AJ Blanco celebrate after making a play in the BIIF Division I title game against Hilo. Trez Uemoto, Isaac Clement and AJ Blanco celebrate after making a play in the BIIF Division I title game against Hilo. CJ Caraang | SL

Running back Kawelu Kaiawe is tackled by a pair of Lunas in the 2021 Division I state semifinals. Running back Kawelu Kaiawe is tackled by a pair of Lunas in the 2021 Division I state semifinals. Brian Bautista | SL

Jacob Ah Mook Sang waltzes into the end zone after hauling a 55-yard TD pass in the Wildcats' 51-0 win over Hilo in the BIIF Division I championship game. Jacob Ah Mook Sang waltzes into the end zone after hauling a 55-yard TD pass in the Wildcats' 51-0 win over Hilo in the BIIF Division I championship game. CJ Caraang | SL

Konawaena QB Keoki Alani fires off a pass in the state championship game against Waipahu. Konawaena QB Keoki Alani fires off a pass in the state championship game against Waipahu. Michael Lasquero | SL

Zedekiah Anahu-Ambrosio hauls in a 21-yard TD pass to give Konawaena a 14-7 lead late in the first quarter against Waipahu. Zedekiah Anahu-Ambrosio hauls in a 21-yard TD pass to give Konawaena a 14-7 lead late in the first quarter against Waipahu. Michael Lasquero | SL

Konawaena senior Landon Daquel-Shimabukuro finds some running room after the catch. Konawaena senior Landon Daquel-Shimabukuro finds some running room after the catch. Michael Lasquero | SL

Torrance Torrance "Ro'o" Satta-Ellis holds up Maui Ellis-Noa's No. 5 jersey on the day of the BIIF Division I championship game. CJ Caraang | SL

The Wildcats hold up five fingers in memory of Maui Ellis-Noa after winning their first-ever state title. The Wildcats hold up five fingers in memory of Maui Ellis-Noa after winning their first-ever state title. Greg Yamamoto | SL


Reach Michael Lasquero at [email protected].




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