Ka`u Pulls Out of 8-Man Game at Kealakehe

Ka`u High School announced Monday that it is not able to play Friday’s 8-man football game against Kealakehe High School’s junior varsity squad.

The game was scheduled to be held at Kealakehe’s Waverider Stadium.

In an e-mail, Ka`u Athletic Director Kalei Namohala said that only 14 players were eligible to play in the game. Failed grade checks disqualified some students from participating, but others were ineligible because they had not spent enough time practicing in pads.

Ka`u is participating in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation sanctioned 8-man football league with Kohala and Pahoa. According to BIIF Executive Director Lyle Crozier, games played against junior varsity schools do not count against the league standings. Ka`u does not need to pay a forfeiture fee to the league and Kealakehe for the cancelled game.

Alan Vogt, Interim Athletic Director at Kealakehe, announced Tuesday that Konawaena’s junior varsity program has stepped up to face the Waveriders JV squad. Kealakehe will host the game Saturday, with kickoff slated for 11:00 a.m.

Ka`u will now open its season with a home game against Kohala’s 8-man unit on Sat., Aug. 30. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.