Ka‘u defeated Pahoa 26-18 to open the Big Island Interscholastic Federation 8-man football season on Aug. 27.
Kainalu Medeiros-Dancel scored on an 82-yard kickoff return to help the Trojans rally back from an 18-12 deficit at Pahoa, according to sportswriter Matt Gerhart in the Hawaii Tribune-Herald. Medeiros-Dancel also made a game-saving interception with less than two minutes remaining.
Ka‘u won the inaugural BIIF 8-man championship in 2014 and are trying to wrest control of that title again in 2016 after Kohala took honors in the three-team league in 2015.
Kohala was supposed to visit Ka‘u for a Thursday, Sept. 1, game, but it was postponed due to the two approaching hurricanes, Madeline and Lester. A makeup date has not been announced.
Kohala will now open its season at Pahoa on Saturday, Sept. 10.
The Maui Interscholastic League 8-man football league opener is Friday, Sept. 16, when Lanai visits Hana.
If another of Hawaii’s five leagues decides to become the third to start 8-man football, it’s possible that the HHSAA would sanction an 8-man football state championship tournament. At least three leagues playing a particular sport are necessary for that to happen.
A few years ago, there was some talk about some Oahu schools trying 8-man, but the talk never became serious.
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