HONOKA‘A — The Dragons made sure to send a message Thursday night at home.
In Honoka‘a football’s second conference matchup of the season, the green and white manhandled the visiting 91直播 Preparatory Academy Ka Makani 51-0 through flawless execution on both sides of the field. The Dragons improved to 2-1 in the early season and 2-0 in BIIF play, while HPA dropped its season opener.
Second-year head coach Zachary Tadio, who has been trying to shift the culture of the team over the last two seasons, was impressed with how his group battled.
“We’ve been trying to change the culture of Honoka‘a football,” he told 91直播 postgame. “And I felt that we went out very respectfully and humbly and played our game of football.”
From the very first drive, Honoka‘a made its presence known on the field. Sophomore backup quarterback Kage Yadao stepped in for the injured Josyah Napoleon-Umeda, displaying his impressive ability to find open receivers and extend plays. Yadao hit receivers Kaenan Martines and Hapaki Moniz repeatedly to move the chains throughout the night.
“We’re so proud of (Yadao),” Tadio said. “He’s really stepped up to the plate, and he showed us that one day, he can be a starter. He’s such a humble kid, and he is willing to learn and do what it takes for the team, which is what this year is all about for us — being team first.”
After marching downfield on their first drive, the Dragons reached the end zone once Yadao rushed the ball in for himself from 15 yards out.
Looking to even the score, Ka Makani tried to get positive yardage, but were constantly met by Honoka‘a’s ferocious front seven — forcing HPA quarterback Hayden Kalama to make plays with his arm. The Dragons forced a fumble in Ka Makani territory, giving the hosts prime field position. Yadao then connected with Moniz in the end zone to put Honoka‘a up two scores.
“I thought our defensive and offensive lines dominated the line of scrimmage,” Tadio said. “It really impressed me how we all play together. There’s no individual play this year. We were able to put the pieces of the puzzle together in putting the right kids in the right places.”
The Dragons also dominated in their backfield, as Chrys Coelho, Napo Silva and Blaze Jardine carried the majority of the workload to consistently move Honoka‘a’s offense downfield. After the Dragons converted a field goal to go up 17-0, HPA fumbled again — leading to more Honoka‘a points. The Dragons led 24-0 after a quarter.
Honoka‘a kept piling on points before halftime, as Silva scored a quick rushing touchdown after the Dragons’ defense forced a three-and-out. Honoka‘a then picked off Kalama on the next drive, setting up another touchdown drive from the winners. Yadao fired a laser to Silva to put the Dragons’ deep into Ka Makani territory, and Coelho capped off the drive with a five-yard rushing touchdown.
HPA tried to get on the board with a field goal as time expired in the second quarter, but Honoka‘a senior defensive back Kala‘e Lindsey blocked the attempt — giving the Dragons an insurmountable 37-0 lead at the half.
The second half was a quieter one, but Honoka‘a still managed to score two more touchdowns — a 35-yard touchdown throw from Yadao to Martines in the third quarter and a rushing score from Jardine in the fourth.
Despite being shut out, Ka Makani made some encouraging plays, such as senior defensive back Jaren Peltier picking off Yadao in the first half and freshman running back Waika Takushi rushing for considerable yardage on a number of plays. But ultimately, the red and white were outclassed, and head coach Lincoln Kalama saw the outcome as a great learning experience for his team.
“Unfortunately, (the outcome) wasn’t what we were hoping for — Honoka‘a is a great team,” he said. “We had some bright spots on both sides of the ball that I think we could improve on. But we need to get back to work and clean up some areas. Hopefully, we can get back on the right track.”
Although it’s early in the year, the Dragons have already set their goals high for 2025. With a complete team on both sides of the ball with a mix of veteran leadership and young talent — along with the mindset that the coaching staff has preached to the team — Tadio believes the sky is the limit.
Honoka‘a’s last BIIF Division II title was in 2022. Thus far this season, the team averages 28 points per game while allowing five.
“Our goal this year is to take our division and make a good showing at states,” Tadio said. “We came close in 2022 when we played Waimea at home. We’re just trying to change the culture and have the kids believe in the team-first mentality. And they’re buying into it slowly.”
The Dragons will take next week off before returning to the gridiron against Division I powerhouse Konawaena on Sept. 12 in Kealakekua. The two teams last met in Oct. 2019.
“Konawaena is a tough opponent,” Tadio said. “We hope to use that game as a stepping stone.”
HPA will try to redeem itself against Kealakehe on Friday at Waverider Stadium.
