The last time Pac-Five played in the postseason, it was 1987.
Nov. 27, to be exact. The runners-up of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu and Oahu Interscholastic Association met at Aloha Stadium in a preliminary battle before the Oahu Prep Bowl.
Led by quarterback Kimo Padello, Pac-Five stunned Kailua 37-14. If the name sounds familiar, he is the father of Hawaii defensive ends Kaimana and KK Padello. Kimo Padello is a busy man with a busy family. Mention Nov. 27 to him, and the date is a little obscure.
“What is so special about this day?” he texted on Thursday. “Does it have to do with football?”
Indeed, it does. While Pac-Five enters its first postseason venture in 31 seasons — the Wolfpack play OIA champion Roosevelt on Saturday in the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Football State Championships — Padello is quite modest about his exploits.
In Pac-Five’s last foray into the postseason until this week, Padello passed for a season-high 292 yards against a Kailua squad that blanked Pac-Five 15-0 in preseason. Padello is equally optimistic about the Wolfpack’s chances against Roosevelt.
The Rough Riders beat Pac-Five 17-15 on a field goal with no time remaining back in August.
“I’ve got to go with Pac-Five. Although Roosevelt is scrappy and fast, I’ve got to go with the PAC. It’s been a long time since we tasted a bowl game, since the 1985 Prep Bowl,” he said, referring to the team sparked by then-QB Garrett Gabriel. “But I think this is a good start to get back on track. It’s kind of a blessing in disguise that St. Francis had to forfeit, but it gives the Wolfpack something to start with like the past.”
Padello has a message for the team.
“Congratulations and play with passion,” he wrote. “Bring home the gold.”
Thirty years ago Pac 5 had Maryknoll Tony Sellito and UH Lab Bobby Au who attracted good athletes to their basketball programs. Many also excelled in Football. Pac 5 is proof that a composite football program can succeed in the ILH. What if St. Francis were to go with Maryknoll, Pac 5 with Damien, and Iolani return to its glorious past which it easily can, the ILH would have a very competitive 6 team league in an Open Division 1. Kahuku and Mililani may want to join. The rest of the OIA can then play Division 1 and 2.
@ What If?… Good idea but will never happen, too many egos and traditionalists involved. Ironic that a former Pac-5 member, St. Francis, allows the Wolfpack to be in States. Maybe St. F will join
Pac-5 again one day. As for Kimo Padello, hope he goes back and Coaches at Pac-5 one day….
When was St. Francis a part of Pac-Five for football? As far as I can remember, PAC-5 used to be and maybe still is Mid Pacific, University Lab, Our Redeemer, Maryknoll and Hawaii Baptist, since, until recently, St. Francis was an all girls school. St. Francis may be a part of Pac-Five for minor sports, but football, I do not recall St. Francis being a part of Pac-Five. First poster was right though, at one point and time, Pac-Five could go head to head with the ILH big 3.
Pac-5 is now more like Pac-12, schools participate from Mililani and Ewa all the way to town. And, yes before St. Francis broke off, they participated in football as Pac-5. Ask around.