[ HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ]
Castle will not
forfeit grid game
The Castle High School football team is playing its scheduled game tonight against Mililani.
Knights coach Nelson Maeda said last night his team won't forfeit despite having only 25 players from a 55-player roster eligible for their Oahu Interscholastic Association Red Conference opener.
"It's a go," Maeda said last night.
Nineteen of Castle's 30 ineligible players can't participate because of their involvement in a brawl at the end of Castle's state championship loss to Saint Louis.
The 11 others are academically ineligible.
Maeda had safety concerns, especially since four of the 25 eligible players are nursing injuries and only six eligible players have varsity experience.
Two of the injured players -- linemen Nainoa Vierra and David Makua -- were cleared to play by the Castle trainer yesterday.
Maeda expects to have 23 players available.
"To say we're disappointed with the ruling is an understatement," Maeda said. "It's mind-boggling when you look at the circumstance. It's a national federation rule (to miss one game after involvement in a fight), but the powers-that-be here could have used common sense and made it less harsh like they've done in the past.
"Maybe they could've made them ineligible for a preseason game instead.
"I really feel they're making an example of us."
Tonight's varsity game at Castle High School starts 25 minutes after the 5 p.m. junior varsity game ends.
Schedule
All games start at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted
Today
OIA RedMililani at Castle
Kahuku vs. Waianae, at Aloha Stadium
Campbell at Kailua
Nanakuli at RooseveltOIA White
Moanalua at Kaiser
Kapolei vs. Kalani, at Leilehua field
Waialua at RadfordMIL
Lahainaluna vs. Baldwin, at War Memorial Stadium
Nonleague
King Kekaulike at Honokaa
Punahou vs. Kauai, at Vidinha Stadium
