Football

Defense, defense, defense. Team Freedom’s 25-7 win over Team Liberty in the Open Division battle of the JPS Classic turned out to be a showcase of elite defense. It ended much as it began, with Tasi Malepeai (Mililani) and Kukea Emmsley (Kapolei) corralling Liberty quarterback Tai-John Mizutani for a sack during a last-ditch drive. On the next play, Kapolei lineman Aaron Faumui sealed it with a sack of his own. In all, Mizutani did magical work to not get sacked […]

During the most crucial part of the regular season, Seth Tina-Soberano saw his dream of Kalani reaching the OIA Division II playoffs took a hit. During Kalani’s trip to the mainland, the senior quarterback suffered an injury in their game and sat out the next contest. Kalani lost that game, and the Falcons’ playoff chances in a tough D-II race diminished. He probably could’ve sat the remainder of the season, but returned for the latter part of the season. The […]

In case you missed it, here is a video of just a few of the big plays from Lahainaluna’s 75-69 seven-overtime victory for the state Division II football championship last Saturday at Aloha Stadium: Also, here was the homecoming for the Lahainaluna football team upon its return to Maui. Video courtesy KimAnn N Dalton Magno on Facebook.

The First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Football State Championships had a different look this year. It looked quite well, even though it didn’t seem like that was possible. With the Oahu Interscholastic Association reducing its entry number from 10 teams in 2016 to just four, there was a question about how the tourney would stand. It was a success. For more, read today’s feature in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. >> Unprecedented First, the Division II state final turned into a record-setting seven-overtime thriller. […]