LIHU‘E — Playoff brackets for the First Hawaiian Bank/Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association Football State Championships were released Friday night, though the top-ranked team in the state, Division I powerhouse Kahuku, was not among those listed. But the more local
LIHU‘E — Playoff brackets for the First Hawaiian Bank/Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association Football State Championships were released Friday night, though the top-ranked team in the state, Division I powerhouse Kahuku, was not among those listed.
But the more local Red Raiders will be hosting a playoff game, and one that will not be played under the hot afternoon sun.
Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation champions, the Kaua‘i Red Raiders (7-1, 5-1 KIF) will host O‘ahu’s Kalaheo High School in a Division II quarterfinal matchup, kicking off at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday at Vidinha Stadium.
The game had still been awaiting an official start time until the county released a statement Friday saying that an agreement had been reached to amend the current circumstances under which night games are allowed.
“After being approached by the county about the possibility of an additional night game, the Justice Department agreed to amend the conditions in recognition of the current ongoing work conducted pursuant to the terms of probation and the successful results achieved,” read a statement released by the County of Kaua‘i, Friday afternoon.
The county said that Kaua‘i’s efforts to implement the conditions of probation “have avoided any grounding of seabirds related to the use of stadium lights.”
“The additional night game is a testament to the ongoing relationship between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Justice Department and the county in protecting our native seabirds,” said Parks and Recreation Director Lenny Rapozo within the county’s press release. “We would like to thank them for their understanding and consideration in agreeing to the additional night game.”
Kaua‘i received the No. 4 seed in the Div. II tournament and will play one of two quarterfinal games, as No. 3 Kaimuki will also take on Kamehameha-Big Island at 7 p.m. on Friday in Keaau, Big Island.
The top seed in the bracket is Iolani, which will await the winner of the Kaua‘i-Kalaheo game in a semifinal matchup at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 20 at Iolani. If the Red Raiders are able to get past Kalaheo, it would set up a rematch of the 2009 Div. II championship game, won 24-17 by Iolani.
The No. 2 seed was awarded to Lahainaluna, who will take on either Kaimuki or KS-Big Island at 7 p.m. on Nov. 19 at War Memorial Stadium on Maui.
Kahuku’s season over
The O‘ahu Interscholastic Association ruled Kahuku ineligible to participate in any further varsity football games this season, due to one of its players being a fifth-year senior and thus not eligible to compete.
The Red Raiders had been slated to take on Mililani in the OIA Red Division championship game at Aloha Stadium, Friday night, but conference officials voted to force a forfeit upon the 10-0 Kahuku squad.
An appeal of that decision by the school on Friday was heard by the OIA Council of Principals, but was unsuccessful.
The HHSAA then announced it would abide by the OIA’s decision.
“While this situation is extremely unfortunate for everyone involved, the HHSAA will support the OIA’s ruling and proceed with the upcoming First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Football State Championship as planned,” said HHSAA executive director Chris Chun in a statement, Friday. “Based upon the statewide league representation formula, the OIA shall be awarded three berths in the tournament. Mililani, which was declared the OIA Red Champion, will receive the OIA’s seeded berth.”
Waianae and Leilehua will also come out of the OIA into the Div. I tournament, playing each other today to determine who will be placed as the second and third teams.
Mililani is the top seed, with Saint Louis being awarded the No. 2 spot.
No. 3 is Baldwin, who will take on the winner of today’s Waianae-Leilehua game at 6 p.m., Friday at War Memorial Stadium on Maui.
The loser of today’s OIA matchup will then take on the still undetermined BIIF champion in the other quarterfinal at 7 p.m. Friday on O‘ahu.
Brackets can be viewed at www.sportshigh.com.
