Changes are coming to the football state tournament this fall.
One likely change, according to multiple sources close to the decision-making process, will be a field of six teams in all three divisions.
Last season, under the pilot three-tier program, the top-tier Open Division and the third-tier Division II had a field of six teams, but the middle D-I had eight teams.
That change is expected to part of a proposal to be voted on at the Hawaii Interscholastic Athletic Directors Association annual meeting on the Big Island in June.
If it passes, the Oahu Interscholastic Association would get three teams in D-I instead of four, and the Big Island Interscholastic Federation would get one team instead of two.
Another likely change, according to sources, is the way the OIA declares its teams for the various divisions.
Last season, OIA quarterfinalists were put into the Open Division and Division I, with the winners going up and the losers going down.
This season, it is expected that all OIA teams will declare for a certain division before the season starts.
Several Interscholastic League of Honolulu coaches, including Damien’s Eddie Klaneski and St. Francis’ Kip Akana, are curious to see which division the OIA puts its teams in.
Earlier this week, sources said it’s possible the ILH may choose to classify Damien and St. Francis for Division I instead of D-II where they were last season. But Klaneski and Akana both said they would be reluctant to compete in D-I if certain top OIA programs (that have proven over the years to play at a higher level than Damien and St. Francis) were also in there. They also acknowledged that the final decision is not theirs and will instead be made by athletic directors and league officials.
So far, the OIA has been quiet about its intentions for state tournament declarations. More information on that may be available at the HHSAA’s next football committee meeting, scheduled for sometime in mid-April. The committee is tasked for making proposals to HIADA.
Like the ILH, the final OIA decision is likely to be made by ADs and league officials.
Darren Johnson, the new coach at Campbell, was asked for his preference and without hesitation, said, “I came to Campbell to compete with the best. And that’s where Campbell should be. The kids feel they should be there and I think we have kids that compete at the best level.”
Johnson is also aware that the decision is not his to make.
Campbell was an OIA quarterfinal loser last season and wound up in the D-I states, where the Sabers beat Waiakea 48-0 in the first round and lost to ‘Iolani 35-12 in the semifinals.
One of the more intriguing aspects of this offseason is the question of where the OIA will draw the line. The two-tier league will have to decide how it fits into the three-tier states.
One source close to the process speculated that six OIA teams would opt for the Open (four of which would end up qualifying for the Open). Those teams are Kahuku, Waianae, Farrington, Mililani, Campbell and Kapolei.
But, once again, that is purely speculation and the OIA could choose to classify more or less than six teams for the Open.
That source also speculated that the OIA may play a two-tier regular season and a three-tier playoffs.
The rest of the state is not expected to change its state tourney declarations much. No outer-island teams are expected to choose the Open.
In addition, all three Kauai Interscholastic Federation teams are expected to remain in D-II, and the Big Island Interscholastic Federation and Maui Interscholastic League are not likely to drastically change their D-I and D-II breakdowns.
Iolani 35, Campbell 12
Mililani 31, Iolani 20
That ought to tell you where Iolani belongs.
@Made in America
I don’t think anyone is arguing with you on that one lol. Hard part is where they belong for regular season
Open the floodgates! Here it comes!
Iolani’s several year run with some bigs on the roster is over.
Here are the facts for Iolani. They belong in the DII for ILH and DI for states. PERIOD. Until they prove otherwise thats where they need to be. Damien and STF will give them fits and make it hard each week to win. Times have changed since Iolani has dominated the DII. Those 2 programs are on the rise and will no longer allow Iolani to dominate. Obviously, Mr. Look or whomever is making decisions at Iolani doesn’t want to go through either of them. Can’t wait to see what is the final outcome of all this BS. Can’t stand Iolani!!!!!!!
To all those Iolani haters…life aint fair so get over it. Those kids still got to play the game and they play it very well!
@ILH Rules
Not disagreeing with you at all, but I want to know what you think about the rise of St. Francis’s program. I get that almost every ILH team recruits, Iolani included, and people will bash them for it regardless of how much recruiting they do. If schools get bashed for recruiting, but also get bashed for not recruiting enough to compensate for demographic inequities within their student body (i.e. large enrollment but not of demographics that might be conducive to an elite football program), then what is the best course of action? We all know that Iolani and Punahou’s reputations have been built on high academic standards. If Iolani supposedly doesn’t recruit at the highest level because of these standards, isn’t that generally admirable? I know through friends and family that Saint Francis has some questionable academic/athletic priorities as of late due to their focus on building their athletics and co-ed brand. Should we support their rise if its built on recruiting at the expense of academics? Just curious
I never played football but someone threw a spam musubi at my head once at Aloha Stadium. Think it was an OIA supporter.
Coach_B agree with your comments! And guess which school doesn’t recruit? Pac-5. And look at where they’re at. St. Francis recruits BIG TIME. Would like to see an ‘Oahu school who doesn’t recruit kick okole, but that ain’t gonna happen.
Education First April 7, 2017 at 12:58 pm
I never played football but someone threw a spam musubi at my head once at Aloha Stadium. Think it was an OIA supporter.
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Wow I love it! Another pretender trying to be me! Thanks guys! I love the flattery.
“Don’t Hate Me Cuz You Just Ain’t Me!”
But I do appreciate the flattery. And for the if someone throw a musubi at me I would be very grateful. I would then donate the Spam Musubi to 88/anywaays/toomeke and that Spam Musubi would feed their family for 1 week. And they wouldn’t need to rely on government assistance for 1 week and keep taking people’s tax monies.
Also, not playing HS sports isn’t a bad thing or a disqualifier. My observations and knowledge were honed by studying games/players in person and being a fan of sports in general despite never participating on any organized teams. Much like legend Howard Cosell and successful basketball coach Darren Matsuda.
Haters are gonna hate!!
Education First April 10, 2017 at 11:08 pm
Also, not playing HS sports isn’t a bad thing or a disqualifier. My observations and knowledge were honed by studying games/players in person and being a fan of sports in general despite never participating on any organized teams. Much like legend Howard Cosell and successful basketball coach Darren Matsuda.
Haters are gonna hate!!
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I feel so loved. This gentleman continues to pretend to be me. Thanks buddy! There is not bigger compliment than someone trying to be you.
What a great day!
Who are you, why are you trolling me and why would I make myself sound like a loser? Darren Matsuda IS a great coach and Howard C is a Hall of Famer. I have asthma BTW which kept me from participating in sports growing up. It’s a serious and potentially deadly condition if one gets an attack. Couldn’t chance it.
Education First April 11, 2017 at 10:29 pm
Who are you, why are you trolling me and why would I make myself sound like a loser? Darren Matsuda IS a great coach and Howard C is a Hall of Famer. I have asthma BTW which kept me from participating in sports growing up. It’s a serious and potentially deadly condition if one gets an attack. Couldn’t chance it.
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Yes sir, your continued infatuation with me is indeed the greatest form of flattery! Keep up the good work while I cruise and stand in line to watch “The Smurfs 2” for the 5th time with my friend Bob.
What a beautiful day!