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Prep Beat

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Monday, December 4, 2000

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HHSAA’s Amemiya
backs two-class
tourney system

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By Dave Reardon
Star-Bulletin

Kahuku's 26-20 upset victory over St. Louis in Friday's 2000 Chevron State Football Championship final at Aloha Stadium served notice that after 14 seasons Hawaii high school football is no longer dominated by one team.

That's how many consecutive years the Crusaders won the state's final championship game.

But serious questions remain regarding competitiveness throughout the state. Friday's final was the only of seven state tournament games decided by less than two touchdowns.

And who is to say St. Louis can't beat Damien, 84-0, again next year? Or that Kahuku can't beat Leilehua, 62-0, again in 2001?

While some lopsided scores are inevitable (especially in the regular season) the tournament underscored the necessity of a classification system.

The regular season is out of the jurisdiction of Hawaii High School Athletic Association executive director Keith Amemiya.

But he hasn't given up on the idea of classifying teams for two state tournaments -- an idea that was quickly shot down last year.

"In the offseason I plan to pursue the possibility," Amemiya said. "We will discuss the concept with the five leagues and get feedback before the June athletic directors' conference."

Amemiya's plan hasn't changed much from last year. It entails two eight-team championship tournaments.

All football playing schools in the state would be evaluated once every two or three years for division placement. Criteria would include enrollment, past record, number of returnees, and the preference of the school.

With 16 state tournament spots instead of eight, more teams from the Interscholastic League of Honolulu would become eligible.

Only one ILH team is currently eligible for the state tournament. Kamehameha finished second in the ILH this season and last, with its only losses coming against St. Louis -- but no state tournament berth. Amemiya's plan, which includes the possibility of an "at-large" berth in the larger classification tournament, could change that situation in future years.

Amemiya said the existing state football tournament committee, comprised of a representative of each of the state's five leagues and chairman Don Botelho, could determine classification and at-large teams.

STAR-BULLETIN FINAL TOP 10

This is how the Star-Bulletin voted in this week's Hawaii Sports Network high school football poll. See the Prep Report in Wednesday's Star-Bulletin for comprehensive high school sports coverage.

Team	Overall Record
1. Kahuku	13-2
2. St. Louis	14-1
3. Kamehameha	9-2
4. Waianae	12-2
5. Kaimuki	10-4
6. Waimea	8-1
7. Maui	10-1-1
8. Castle	9-4
9. Kailua	6-4
10. McKinley	8-2