LIHU‘E — Following two weeks of no play, the Triple K Strongman 9 on 9 football games returned Friday night at Vidinha Stadium.
Armed with the latest in COVID-19 restrictions issued by government officials, coach Teddy Arroyo and his crew of volunteers allowed spectators inside the stadium in a socially-distanced format on the home side of the stadium.
“We have certain guidelines to follow,” said Arroyo. “But we can allow spectators in, so parents can watch their kids play.”
Adding to the crowd, the neighboring baseball field was hosting a Protect Our Nation’s Youth baseball game, also under the lights.
Football games are played on half of a field, with teams taking possession of the ball from midfield and marching to the end zone via passes and ground advances on pass receptions. When a touchdown is scored, the point-after touchdown is almost always a pass play too.
Games are approximately 30 minutes, running clock, which allow as many as six games on each outing, including three games with junior varsity-aged youth and three games with varsity-aged young athletes. The different public high schools are represented by the Unit in blue, the Red ‘Ohana, and Triple K in white.
The “9” comes from the ability of two linemen to rush the quarterback, making the quarterback having to elude defenders while reading downfield defenses for passes.
Under the Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association guidelines during the pandemic, teams and coaches are not allowed to use state Department of Education equipment or facilities for their respective play in sports.
This is in effect until mid-June, when the restrictions, barring any new developments, will be lifted with the start of football practice on school grounds.
There are two more outings for the Triple K Strongman program. Friday night’s games start at 5 p.m. for the JV-aged teams.
There is no food booth due to the COVID-19 rules, and admission is $5 per adults.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
