Six games on Oahu are scheduled for Friday night. The OIA enters the first week of divisional play after the seven cross-division matchups last week, plus there’s a very intriguing Division II game at Leilehua featuring two teams that might see each other again in the state tournament.
The Saints have been building from the intermediate level, winning an ILH D-II crown a few years back. They challenged hard last season, and with a 31-9 victory on the road against Kauai last week, momentum is all forward for coach Kip Akana‘s squad.
The visiting Wildcats, led by junior QB Austin Ewing, are the defending BIIF D-II champions.
History: The schools have played only once before, with the Saints visiting the Wildcats for an 18-6 loss last year. St. Francis plays a neighbor island team every year and is 2-2 in those games with wins over Honokaa and Keeau and losses to Konawaena and Maui.
Live updates of the 6 p.m. kickoff to follow below:
9:02 p.m.: And that’s it, Konawaena comes to Oahu and beats St. Francis. This would be a nice matchup for the DII title in November.
8:41 p.m.: Ezra Inayoshi-Dudoit intercepted a Konawaena pass intended for Kaanoi Kelekolio-Rivera in the end zone with 6:48 remaining. St. Francis with the ball back, trails 23-22.
8:27 p.m.: St. Francis throws an interception to start the fourth quarter and Konawaena capitalizes a minute later on Micah Laban’s 9-yard score. Harry Hill’s PAT gives the Wildcats a 23-22 lead with 10:45 left in the game.
8:25 p.m.: Wembley Mailei comes up clutch right before the end of the third quarter with an interception. Saints with the ball back at the 18-yard line. Saints lead 22-16 after three quarters.
7:30 p.m.: Halftime score is 16-16. St. Francis couldn’t convert on two field goals in the second quarter, including a 38-yard attempt with 2:09 left.
7:13 p.m.: Kona ties it at 16-16 when Austin Ewing connects on an 18-yard touchdown pass to Reyson Ching with 6:03 left in the second. Harry Hill’s PAT was blocked.
7:01 p.m.: Wembley Mailei quickly gives Saints the lead back. His 22-yard interception return and two-point conversion puts St. Francis ahead 16-10 with 11:37 left in the second quarter.
6:48 p.m.: Konawaena takes 10-8 lead after Harry Hill’s 28-yard field goal with 1:27 left in first quarter.
6:38 p.m.: Kona’s Austin Ewing connects with Kaanoi Kelekolio-Rivera for a 27-yard touchdown with 5:14 left in the first. Harry Hill’s kick cuts deficit to 8-7.
6:10 p.m.: Micah Kalei fumble recovery puts St. Francis ahead 32 seconds into the game. Wembley Mailei’s two-point conversion gives Saints 8-0 lead.
Lets face it, St. Francis gave the game away…you need to come away with points in the red zone! Credit to Konawaena for making plays when it counted, thats why they are ranked #1.