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Monday
Evening QB
EVEN in its second year, it still feels good just to say it: Hawaii high school football state championships. Tourney has
predictability
predicamentIt's hard to believe that there now really is an annual tournament to determine the best prep team in the state.
The sad thing is now that we have it, it really isn't necessary any more, except as a formality.
Most of us would like to see someone step up and challenge St. Louis, which has dominated Hawaii high school football since before a few of today's players were even born.
After Friday's first-round results, that doesn't look likely.
St. Louis, Waianae and Kaimuki beat Castle, Maui and Hilo, respectively, by shutout. Kahuku didn't have much trouble with Waimea other than in the second quarter.
No game was close, and the semifinals those results set up for this week don't look to be close, either.
Does anyone really think Waianae can beat St. Louis, or Kaimuki can take Kahuku this Friday?
Who thinks these games won't be over by the end of the third quarter, or halftime?
These aren't very intriguing matchups unless you go to or went to one of the schools, or you have friends and relatives playing or coaching, or cheerleading, or playing in the band.
Not that there won't be talent on the field -- you can be sure many college scouts will be among those paying to get into Aloha Stadium.
There's just not a whole lot for the unaffiliated fan. Everything points to two routs.
History is against Waianae in a big way.
St. Louis has won 17 of its 21 games against Waianae. That includes seven of its 13 consecutive Prep Bowl victories from 1986 to 1998 (combined score: 238-36).
The Seariders match up decently with the Crusaders size-wise, and St. Louis is missing three of its best defensive players. But it's still doubtful Waianae can run the ball consistently. It's even less likely the Seariders will be able to pass effectively.
Waianae's defense is strong, having rebounded against Maui after a poor showing against Kahuku the previous week.
But no one has been able to stop, or even slow, St. Louis all season. The Crusaders have more weapons than the Red Raiders, who put 32 points up against the Seariders two weeks ago.
AS for Kahuku and Kaimuki, it's pretty hard to get excited for a rematch of the Red Raiders' 60-18 and 40-0 routs.
Kaimuki has some nice athletes in Justin Faimealelei and Kila Kamakawiwo'ole. But Kahuku's skill people are just as good, and more plentiful.
The Red Raiders win their games, however, by being bigger and badder at the line of scrimmage. There's nothing to make anyone think this Friday will be any different.
Kahuku is vulnerable to turnovers and penalties, but Siuaki Livai's team is so talent -laden it doesn't matter -- this week, anyway.
Unless something very weird happens, St. Louis will play Kahuku for the championship a week from this Friday ... again.
Last year, St. Louis beat Kahuku, 19-0, for the title.
It might be closer this time. The talent and depth is comparable and the Crusaders will miss the three ineligible starters.
But the outcome will probably be the same, as the team with fewer mistakes -- St. Louis -- takes home the trophy.
OK, so now that there is a state tournament, how do we make it interesting? How do we make it less predictable?
Easy. You've heard it before, and you'll hear it again. Add another tournament.
Classify or die.
Dave Reardon, who covered sports in Hawaii from 1977 to 1998,
moved to the the Gainesville Sun, then returned to
the Star-Bulletin in Jan. 2000.
E-mail Dave: dreardon@starbulletin.com