Coach Pyper Leads Konawaena Wildcats into Second BIIF Girls Flag Football Season

Konawaena High School is preparing to enter the second Big Island Interscholastic Federation girls flag football season under coach Mason Pyper, now in his second year after leading the Lady Wildcats to the conference title in 2025. Senior quarterback Kiilei Leleiwi returns as a second-year starter and the team’s 2025 conference Player of the Year following Konawaena’s run to the first-ever flag football state tournament last spring.

Pyper framed the program’s priorities beyond wins and losses in clear terms: “We want them to grow as people, that’s the main priority. We want to try to build something that’s going to be foundationally strong going forward, paving the way for the future of Konawaena flag football.” Pyper reviewed the play call sheet with players during a Tuesday rainy practice at Julian R. Yates Field, reinforcing continuity between last season’s conference title and this year’s preparation. “Konawaena girls flag football coach Mason Pyper reviews the play call sheet in the huddle during Tuesday's rainy practice at Julian R. Yates Field. Pyper is in his second year coaching the team after leading the Lady Wildcats to the conference title in 2025. (Conor Langs/West Hawaii Today)”

On-field work concentrated on timing and short-passing in wet conditions. “Konawaena girls flag football works on short-pass receiver drills during Tuesday's rainy practice at Julian R. Yates Field. (Conor Langs/West Hawaii Today)” That session doubled as a dress rehearsal for an offense described by coaches as high-powered and stocked with speed, where precise route timing and ball security are immediate concerns in BIIF league play.

Leleiwi’s mobility and ability to throw on the run are focal points for the Wildcats’ game plan. The team’s scouting and practice notes highlight her pocket movement and on-the-run passing as a near-unguardable element for opposing defenses. Pyper assessed her recent transition into flag practice after the basketball season: “(Leleiwi) had a lot of growth throughout the season last year. She just got done with basketball, so the transition with her coming out here over the last few days has been really, really good. She’s been doing great for us, and I think she’s ready to lead our offense in a big way.”

Playmakers surround Leleiwi, most notably 2025 No. 1 receiver Kylie Denis, whose speed and possession skills give Konawaena multiple vertical threats. The Lady Wildcats view last spring’s 39-19 loss to Nanakuli on Oahu at the state tournament as a building block and valuable learning experience as they seek to advance further in postseason play this season.

Interest in girls flag football across the islands is growing, a trend underscored by an NFL team’s local outreach: “The Seattle Seahawks hosted two free flag football clinics over the weekend for approximately 200 high school girls on Saturday at Waiākea” appears in a Seattle Seahawks Instagram post referenced by the program. Pyper’s stated emphasis on player development and Konawaena’s returning leaders signal a program aiming to convert that growing regional momentum into sustained success on the field.