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Fifth In An 8-Part Series
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Konawaena’s intricate, quick paced and accurate passing offense was a real eye-opener for fans who saw the Wildcats upend Waipahu 38-28 in the Division I championship game of the First Hawaiian Bank./HHSAA Football State Championships late in November.
But it was also a heavy hitting, rugged defense that finally slowed down what had been an unstoppable Marauders offense led by Bedrock Sports offensive player of the year Liatama Uiliata, who played most of the game despite getting his shoulder and ankle banged up.
Coach Brad Uemoto spoke to Bedrock last week aboutthe school’s first football state title — and the job done by the team’s defense is where he began.
“All year, we physically beat teams up,” he said. “Our style of play on defense is just so physical.”
The Wildcats’ victory gave the Big Island three of the last D-I state crowns, after Hilo went all the way in 2017 and 2019 (with no season played in 2020).
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A catch-all place for the sights
and sounds, impressions and overheard
things from our colorful
world of football
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“The impact that winning the state championship has had on our community has been unbelievable,” Uemoto added. “And you can see how the win is going to start impacting our program. That’s the most important thing going forward. We’ve set a precedent of what winning the state title looks like. We have a road map of what we need to do to replicate it. And the younger players are getting excited and have started working out and training and trying to get back to that level that we were at.”
That championship game will also be remembered for the three touchdowns scored by receiver Zedekiah Anahu-Ambrosio. One of them was on a sweep to the right, when he got into the end zone an inch ahead of Waipahu’s dynamic linebacker Romeo Tagata. The two other TDs, however, led to Anahu-Ambrosio’s unsportsmanlike ejection for excessive celebration.
“Zed was so dynamic on offense all season,” Uemoto said. “And he had five interceptions defensively. It will always be ‘what could have been’ in the second half for him. He’s so tough to guard, a great route runner with great hands.”
Another high point for the Wildcats (11-1) in the big game was the steady leadership and accuracy of quarterback Keoki Alani, who went 27-for-36 for 256 yards and two TDs.
That QB-to-WR weapon (72 connections for 1,083 yards and 22 TDs) will be on display next year too, when Alani will be a senior and Anahu-Ambrosio will be a junior.
Linebacker Keawe Navas-Loa, who made 13 tackles in the title game, will also be back next year as a senior.
“Despite the year and trials we faced, our community rallied behind us and embraced us wholeheartedly,” said Wildcats senior two-way standout Roonui Satta-Ellis. “Even Mauna Loa greeted us with a warm welcome. Shout out to our opponent, Waipahu. True competitors and even better individuals.”
Uemoto will cherish a memory from right after the final seconds ticked away against the Marauders.
“Every time we tackled somebody or hit someone, our boys were always helping them up and tapping them on the the helmet,” he said. “You hit people hard and you pick ’em up, sportsmanship. One of our defensive linemen, Kaikoa Kelii, kneeled down to help Uiliata off the ground, saying ‘Great game’ to him instead of immediately celebrating with his teammates. It made me proud of this group not only for winning the state championship, but for also having that kind of character in those moments.”
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The Rest Of The 8-Part Series
Already Posted:
>> FOOTBALL WRAP PART 1: Kahuku’s Leonard Ah You Was, Literally, The Closer In Second Straight State Championship Season
>> FOOTBALL WRAP PART 2: Waipahu’s Liatama Uiliata Showed Unique Ability On The Way To Becoming Bedrock’s State Offensive Player Of The Year
>> FOOTBALL WRAP PART 3: Coach Kyle Linoz Revived The Pride Of Waimea Football In Grand Fashion
>> FOOTBALL WRAP PART 4: Kahuku Dealt With Intense Pressure En Route To 10th Top-Tier State Championship
Upcoming Posts:
>> FOOTBALL WRAP PART 6: Shang HI Media’s MUST-SEE Video Compilation Of Waimea’s 45-6 D-II State Title Win Over King Kekaulike
>> FOOTBALL WRAP PART 7: Nacnac Productionz’s MUST-SEE Video Compilation Of Konawaena’s 38-28 D-I State Title Win Over Waipahu
>> FOOTBALL WRAP PART 8: Shang HI Media’s MUST-SEE Video Compilation Of Kahuku’s 20-0 Open State Championship Win Over Punahou
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The Season As It Unfolded:
