Neighbor Island teams deserve DI state berths
November 22nd, 2009 by WesUpon first glance, it might be easy to say the Neighbor Island Division I teams did not have a good showing in the first round of the First Hawaiian Bank Football Championships.
Leilehua routed Baldwin, 48-12, and Farrington pulled away from Honoka‘a, 48-16.
There's already been the familiar rumblings from O‘ahu that Baldwin and Honoka‘a didn't belong, and the argument may have had more legs this year since Baldwin lost to DII Lahainaluna and Honoka‘a fell to Hilo and DII teams Hawai‘i Prep and Kaua‘i.
But scores notwithstanding, I still believe Neighbor Island representation is an important part of the state tournament. These teams came out of their leagues at the top of their divisions, so they deserved a shot at postseason play.
I liken it to the NCAA basketball tournament, where every year teams that won smaller conferences are given their chance at the Dukes and UConns in the Big Dance. And once in a while, they even win. And even when they don't, they often provide good first-round competition.
Even in a year like this, I see many benefits to having Neighbor Island teams included in the state tournament:
• The competition is good for the NI teams. Honoka‘a coach Fred Lau said, "What an experience for our kids, to play a team like that (Farrington)." In regard to Governors tailback Harry Tuimaseve, who rushed for 239 yards and two touchdowns, Lau said, "We haven't faced anybody like that on the Big Island (this season)."
The immediate results were not good, but in the long run I think it will help. The coaches and younger players got a taste of top OIA Red competition, and now they know how far they have to go to get close to that level.
It's similar to local teams in the ‘Iolani Prep Classic basketball tournament: Over the years, facing teams like Oak Hill and Fairfax and Montrose Christian helped local coaches elevate their teams and players to where they started competing with and even beating some strong Mainland programs.
I think we've already seen that effect with Waimea and Kaua‘i High football, and Baldwin a couple years ago.
• It creates tremendous excitement in the school's community and on the Neighbor Island in general. It's 53 miles from Honoka‘a to Kailua, Kona, and about 40 miles from Waimea, where many Honoka‘a students live. Yet the Kealekehe Stadium parking lot was almost full over an hour before kickoff, and by game time the stands were packed with people wearing the Dragons' green and gold.
Kealekehe's field had a sign painted near the 50-yard line reading, "State Playoffs," and "BIIF" was also painted in silver and blue near the 20.
Make no mistake, these games are a big deal.
• It gives standout players we've never known about a chance to shine on the big stage. Honoka‘a receiver/defensive back Eddie Morales lived up to his billing, showing he is one of the best football players in the state. I was also very impressed with Dragons quarterback Sage Johnson, who did a fantastic job avoiding Farrington's intense pass rush and making some very tough throws downfield on the run.
• It provides the OIA teams with a rare travel experience. Leilehua coach Nolan Tokuda told KITV that he asked his team to "raise your hand if you've never ridden an airplane before, and half the guys raised their hand."
Especially in this bad economy, it may the only chance many of these players get to travel and see a Neighbor Island.
But the biggest reason why Neighbor Islands should remain a presence in the state tournament is that by definition, you cannot call it a true state tournament if only O‘ahu teams are involved.
Despite the final score, Honoka‘a gave Farrington a tough fight and the Govs truly had to earn their way into the semifinals. The Dragons trailed 28-16 and had the ball midway through the fourth quarter, before a fumble derailed the comeback effort.
But they fought through until the final whistle, and proved to me they were a worthy state tournament team.
I'm glad they got the chance to show it.
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:15 am
Speaking of the so called "competitive" nature of the game against Honokaa, now does that in any way take into account the poor officiating job done by one of the refs, specifically the hometown line official? From my perspective, his calls were so blatantly egregious that the radio announcers themselves broadcasted, and I paraphrase, that it was definitely obvious that the said ref had a personal agenda. Further, local fans and Honokaa supporters were heard disagreeing with some of the calls made as well. And, from sources that will remain anonymous, I believe he received a poor rating for his performance that evening. In any event, as an attendee at the game in Kona, one could plainly see the mismatch from the outset of the game but because of the calls made, many of the big plays were nullified by phantom fouls. Albeit, Farrington has had a penchant for eliciting an ordinate number of fouls in past games but the fact remains that almost all the calls made against the Govs this past Friday night were from one particular ref, the hometown official. This begs of a similar incident back in 2007 when the visiting Govs played Baldwin in Maui in the State’s quarterfinal. The officiating was so transparently in favor of the Bears that the head of the OIA apologized for the act. Again, another source that will remain unknown but plausible. So let’s not make this past game into something that it was not: Competitive. The true Div I team prevailed with no help from a Big Island Stripe.
On a side note, I read some of the local news clippings relating to the match up prior to the game and I can truly say that I have never read so much blunt disrespect of an opponent as it were when the head coach of Honokaa referred to the leading rusher in Div I football as “non-explosive” and simply average. Granted, I understand that it could simply be pure hype; to generate competition but the reporter should know better than to report such bias. To single out a particular player in such a negative light is not what sportsmanship is all about. Even their quarterback called the Govs linemen slow. Slow? Do they get cable TV on the Big Island? Where’s the scouting report? Anyway, I hope they both enjoyed the show H. Tuimaseve laid on them in Kona. They’re both welcome to get a second serving of humble pie come the day of the semi-final game right after Thanksgiving.
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:12 am
Overcoming "bad" calls is part of any game, in any sport.
If you are going to mention "bad" calls, then it also is worth mentioning the touchback and inadvertent whistle that prevented Honoka‘a from possibly pinning Farrington inside the Govs' 10-yard line after a long punt.
They replayed the down, and even after another long punt and no return, Honoka‘a potentially lost 15-20 yards as a net result.
Stuff happens, you just gotta stay focused and move on ...
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:00 am
I see what you're saying here but I think you're grasping at straws. It’s one thing to overcome “bad” calls but it’s totally different when the calls become an overtone of partiality and downright home cooking (excuse the slang).
In addition, the play that you’re referring to was absolutely a blown call on the official’s part. When the punt returner, A. Faamasili, made the play, he, from my vantage point, retreated only to set up a long potential return to the left of the field with a formidable wall setting up. Check the video. If not for the blunder or “inadvertent whistle” made by the ref, we could have been talking about a 101 yard punt return instead of what could’ve been. Consequently, I’ll give the edge to A. Faamasili over the Honokaa punt coverage team any day.
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:13 am
We all believe you Wes. You are the expert here no doubt about it. All the NI teams belonged in the tourney; not St. Louis, Waianae, Mililani, Campbell, Kapolei, or Punahou. The NI teams deserve it because they won their respective competitive leagues. Also, as Wes said, competition is beneficial to them.
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:34 am
agree. just because teams get blown, doesn't mean they don't belong there. happens in the pros everyday. look at what san diego did to denver in denver. would anyone say denver doesn't deserve a pro team after that loss?
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:07 pm
It took awhile before Gonzaga became a significant player on the college basketball scene, and I'm sure when they first started getting automatic NCAA bids for winning the West Coast Conference there were fifth- and sixth-place teams in the ACC and Big Ten complaining.
But those early NCAA appearances helped elevate Gonzaga's program, to the point where they started winning first and second-round games and eventually became a regular in the Sweet 16.
It wouldn't have happened if they never got those bids and were shut out of the tournament in the early 1990s ...
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:11 pm
cinderellas, the best thing about sports. that's why all league champs should have a chance at winning the whole enchilada.
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Baldwin was quite a young team this year. Expect them to be much better next year. They deserve to be in the D1 tourney.
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Wes knows what he's talking about. He's the expert.
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Just my opinion. You're entitled to yours ...
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Before Mr. Amemiya had the forsight to have both Division 1 and Division 2 football championships all neighbor island league winners were pitted against the bigger Oahu Schools as one division.
Waimea High School on Kauai, with a student body enrollment of less then 800, twice beat heavily favored Kailua in the quarter finals and advanced to State Semi-finals only to lose to eventual State Champion St. Louis.
Prior to this, while the winner of the OIA and ILH played for the "Unofficial" State Champioship, neighbor island schools would play the runner up teams.
In one post season tournament both Waimea High School and Baldwin High School beat heavily favored Oahu Teams. This prompted the late Les Keiter to say that it was time for a State Football Tournament.
Yes, due to the huge population base the teams on Oahu are generally heavy favorites but neighbor island teams have already won State championships in baseball, and boys and girls basketball.
One day when the planets are aligned just right there will also be a neighbor island Divison 1 football champion.
We already had a Division 2 Football champion from Maui.
And I was there at Aloha Stadium when UH beat BYU for the first and second time.
Who would have thought UH would go to the BCS.
November 24th, 2009 at 8:25 am
"it took awhile before Gonzaga became a significant player on the college basketball scene, and I'm sure when they first started getting automatic NCAA bids for winning the West Coast Conference there were fifth- and sixth-place teams in the ACC and Big Ten complaining.
But those early NCAA appearances helped elevate Gonzaga's program, to the point where they started winning first and second-round games and eventually became a regular in the Sweet 16.
It wouldn't have happened if they never got those bids and were shut out of the tournament in the early 1990s ..."
This comment is beyond any rational belief. NCAA RECRUITS. So yes berths into the 65 gives your program exposure and opens up doors for recruiting and hence program improvement. To argue the same for High School athletics that State Tourney Berths will improve your program is absurd.
November 24th, 2009 at 10:41 am
Granted calls will be missed during a game as long as they make calls for both sides no problem. Visiting teams (NI) are subject to home calls and just move on should not be an answer. The home refs should also understand that they represent their league and that obvious calls or non calls also reflects back on that league. Sports is about fair play on the field and that is the least any team can expect. To be short changed through no fault of their own should not be condoned or simply answered away. To have great games decided by the stripes is such a travesty to all involved.
November 24th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
NCAA vs. HHSAA,
Good point about the difference, but I still think you cannot deny the impact a state berth has on a high school program.
Look at Leilehua the past five years, and how much that program has grown. You think that first state berth back in 2004 didn't help change things?
Maybe "recruit" is not the right word, but the promise of a state tournament appearance can encourage a campus' best athletes to come out for football and work hard toward that goal ...
Scott Mason,
The officials are evaluated on their performance — an evaluator from O‘ahu flew to Kona to grade Friday's game from the press box — and there are mechanisms in place to correct glaring problems.
My point is that there are over 100 plays in any football game, and you cannot blame the ref for every one. If the officiating crew makes say, five mistakes, each team probably made at least that much or more.
All I'm saying is they would be better off focusing on fixing their own mistakes than the officials'.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Hey Wes this is off subject but just wondering if you had any insight into the reasoning for Kahuku playing the 430 game in both the OIA semis and State semis? It doesn't make sense to me for the #1 team in the state to be out of the feature game? Also we wore white(visiting) uniforms in the championship against Leilehua. It really irks me cause they are the only remaining undefeated D1 team in the state...and we live so far and have to worry about getting off work early or having our wives drive out on their own and meet us at the game if we work in town and yah... jus wondering if you know the reasoning behind this or knew somebody in the HHSAA who might. Mahalos.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
I don't know why in this particular case, but in the past they usually looked at matchups and attendance: the matchup most likely to draw the bigger crowd would be the late game.
November 24th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Wes, Leilehua has grown since 2004 because of Nolan Tokuda. He is one of the best coaches in the state, hands down. Kahuku, and better yet, Waianae, especially, would kill to have him as coach. I don't care what anyone says about him (and believe me I have heard it all: the ear ring, green hair, the cocky little strut he has on the sideline, the rumors about him and students' parents), he is a great offensive coach. That first state birth almost 6 years ago was more about Tokuda than some sort of morale boost for the program. I'm not saying Mules haven't had the talent, because they definitely, but he is the primary reason. Leilehua's whole program has been awesome, including JV. They've recently won the OIA championship a couple of times as well and have been in the mix/title game every single year.
November 24th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
I agree Nolan is the primary reason that program got turned around, and he deserves much of the credit.
But I'm saying state berths help. If they didn't get that berth as the OIA third-place team in 2004, they never would have had the opportunity to play in the state title game that year and create the swell of support that emerged from the entire Wahiawa community.
I wouldn't be surprised to see a bigger turnout and improved offseason commitment at Honoka‘a next year as a result of the Dragons' state berth this year ...
November 25th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Wes,
You are 100% right. And Polos, youre right too. Coaching makes the difference. What it comes down to is building a program and creating an atmosphere of winning. State titles, and state berths breed winning atmospheres and winning attitudes. Its a hell of a lot easier for a Coach to run a program and get kids to buy in and commit if they see that team consistantly winning league titiles and going to the state tournament. And eventually as the program can keep consistantly build itself up and make appearances in the state tournament, the easier it will be to compete at that level.
November 27th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
For whatever reason and idk y, Kahuku chose to wear their white uniforms.