Kahuku, St. Louis favorites in football
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
Will Kahuku repeat as state football champions?
Or will St. Louis reclaim the title for coach Cal Lee's final season?
Formalities for the two perennial powers begin Friday in quarterfinal action of the third Chevron State Football Tournament.
The top-ranked Red Raiders (11-0), co-champions but top seed of the O'ahu Interscholastic Association, and the second-ranked Crusaders (8-0-1), the Interscholastic League of Honolulu champions for the 16th consecutive year, are, by reputation and history, the favorites to meet in the final for the third straight time. The Crusaders won the inaugural tournament, beating Kahuku, 19-0. The Red Raiders are defending champions, after beating St. Louis, 26-20.
Kahuku will face Maui Interscholastic League champion Lahainaluna (8-2) at 5 p.m. at Aloha Stadium. It is the Lunas' tournament debut. At 7:30 p.m., St. Louis will face OIA fourth-seed 'Aiea (10-1), also making its tournament debut.
Also making a third consecutive appearance in the tournament is Kaua'i Interscholastic Federation champion Waimea (7-1). The Menehune will play OIA third-seed Castle (8-3), 7:30 p.m. at Vidinha Stadium in Lihu'e. Although Waimea is playing on its 'aina, Hanapepe Ball Park is its true home.
In Hilo, Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion Waiakea (8-2) is making its tournament debut against OIA runner-up Kailua (9-2), at 7:30 p.m. at Wong Stadium.
The winners of St. Louis-'Aiea and Waiakea-Kailua meet in one semifinal and the winners of Castle-Waimea and Kahuku-Lahainaluna play in the other semifinal on Nov. 23 at Aloha Stadium.
The championship is set for Nov. 30 at Aloha.
Tickets for all sites are $7 for adults and $5 for students.
• • •
VOLLEYBALL
• Iolani girls' top seed: Making its first appearance since 1987, Iolani School enters the Nissan Girls State Volleyball Tournament as the top seed.
The 12-team tournament starts Thursday with pool play at McKinley and Kekuhaupi'o (Kamehameha) gyms. Quarterfinals are Friday and the semifinals and championship are Saturday at the Blaisdell Arena.
Other seeded teams joining the Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion Raiders (15-0) are Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion Hilo (12-0), O'ahu Interscholastic Association champion Kahuku (10-3) and Maui Interscholastic League champion Seabury Hall (14-0).
Joining Iolani in Pool A are Big Island runner-up St. Joseph (14-2) and OIA third-place Pearl City (11-2). With Hilo in Pool B are MIL runner-up Lana'i (11-3) and OIA fourth-place Wai'anae (11-2).
In Kahuku's Pool C are ILH runner-up Punahou (13-2) and BIIF third-place Hawai'i Prep (12-3), while in Pool D with Seabury Hall are Kaua'i Interscholastic Federation champion Kaua'i and OIA runner-up Kalani.
Admission prices are $7 for adults and $5 for students. There is a 50-cent fee per ticket at the Blaisdell.
