Bobby Command/Special to Hawaii247 

Sage Johnson threw five touchdown passes and passed for 340 yards Saturday afternoon as the Honokaa Dragons defeated the Konawaena Wildcats 34-22 in the final preseason game of the year in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation.

Johnson threw two touchdown passes each to Eddie Morales and Nate Adams, and added another to Kamu Lorenzo as the Dragons moved to 1-2 in the preseason. Konawaena fell to 1-2.

The Dragons were able to take advantage of the Wildcat defensive backfield as Johnson completed 21 of 35 passes in a game that featured 70 passes. Johnson also kicked three PATs.

Konawaena senior Thomas Deniz went 11-of-27 for 123 yards and two touchdown passes. Deniz rushed for 46 yards and was also intercepted once. 

Sophomore Makana Canda went 4-of-8 for 66 yards as the two quarterbacks alternated quarters.

Kona came back from a 20-8 deficit to make it 20-16 at the half  on Makana Canda’s 17-yard pass reception from Deniz.

However Johnson hit Morales on passes of 34 and 6 yards, the finale one with 2:08 left which put the game away for Honokaa.

Combined with Johnson’s passing, the Dragons had 416 yards in total offense. Konawaena had 292 yards in total offense.

In the junior varsity game, Honokaa defeated Konawaena 22-0.

Both teams open their regular seasons Friday, Sept. 4 with Kona hosting Ka’u and Honokaa traveling to Waiakea.

 

Kona 8 8 0 6     –       22

Hono 7 13 0 14      –       34

 

Hono – Adams 34 pass from Johnson (Johnson kick)

Kona – Deniz  3 run (Deniz run)

Hono – Lorenzo 35 pass from Johnson (kick failed)

Kona – Canda 17 pass from Deniz (Deniz run)

Kona – Deniz 1 run (run failed)

Hono – Morales 34 pass from Johnson (Johnson kick)

Hono – Morales 6 pass from Johnson (Johnson kick)