Sabers' head coach suspended

Advertiser Staff

Campbell head coach Tumoana Kenessey said yesterday he will appeal his one-game suspension resulting from two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties charged to him in Friday night's 29-20 victory over Kaua'i in the Division II state semifinals.

By National Federation rule, two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties against the same player or coach results in an automatic ejection, and by Hawai'i High School Athletic Association rule, an ejection makes that player or coach ineligible for the following game.

Kenessey was assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty during the game when one of his players was found to have a knot tied in his jersey under the armpit. Under Federation rules, such a knot is an equipment violation, and since all coaches must certify before the game that their players' equipment and uniforms are legal, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty is charged to the player's head coach.

Kenessey then was assessed another unsportsmanlike conduct penalty during discussion about the first call.

After it is filed tomorrow, Kenessey's appeal will be reviewed by the HHSAA football committee, a five-member panel with one representative from each of the state's five leagues.