Constructive discussions about a new BIIF football format, but nothing in the way of a definitive decision was the theme of the day at a BIIF athletic directors meeting, according to Pahoa AD Hoku Haliniak.
Haliniak said the ADs discussed three prospective formats Monday, but “everything was tabled until (our) March meeting. We’re going to go back to talk to our coaches.”
With the Daggers, Ka’u and Kohala transitioning from eight-man to 11-man, talks centered around devising a BIIF schedule for its first 11-member football league and how to strike a competitive balance and meld the former eight-man teams with the bigger schools in the league.
One proposal is simply the status quo. All teams would play everyone once, a format the BIIF has used since 2013.
Another is divisional play, which the league used for a period leading up until 2013. Under that format, teams played only others in their division, twice a season in home-and-aways.
The BIIF also could elect to use the (Red/White/Blue) tiered format that it’s used in the past in sports such as volleyball and soccer to separate, regardless of Division I or D-II, the perennial powers from the less-established programs.
Ka’u athletic director Kalei Namohala told the Tribune-Herald last week she was against tiers, in part because in the past it’s hindered the growth of some of the Trojans’ teams. She favors either a play-all schedule or divisional play.
Haliniak knows which way she’s going.
“I’m going to vote for divisions,” she said.
Under that format, another consideration is the composition of D-I and D-II. Ostensibly, Kamehameha and Konawaena – who have combined to win the past nine D-II crowns – could move up give to give D-I six teams (joining Hilo, Kealakehe, Waiakea, Keaau), leaving Honokaa, Hawaii Prep, Ka’u, Pahoa and Kohala in D-II.
However, there are other factors that go into that decision, cautioned Kamehameha coach Dan Lyons, who said he hasn’t had many discussions on the format with his athletic director, Kimo Weaver.
“We’re going to do what’s best for our kids and our school,” Lyons said, “but myself I think we should stay in the division in which we best fit on the state level.
“What are other schools going to do around the state? Where is Lahainaluna? What about Iolani?”
Lahainaluna is the three-time Division II state champ, while Iolani won eight of 10 D-II state crowns before making the move to D-I.
A popular talking point against everybody playing each other once is the potential mismatches that could be created during the 2019 season when schools such as Hilo, the six-time BIIF D-I champion, take on an eight-man school such as Kohala, which was winless in 2018.
Lyons pushed back on the notion that certain matchups should be avoided next season.
“I’m not going into the season just thinking I’m going to beat anybody,” Lyons said. “That’s foolish.”
He pointed to a BIIF sport where D-II team are at the top, albeit in a sport that requires a much small roster, basketball. This season, Hawaii Prep and Kohala enter the boys playoffs with the first – and third-best records, respectively, on the island.
“There are no guaranteed wins on our schedule,” Lyons said. “Those (eight-man) schools have good players on their roster. I’m going to prepare for them as if they can beat us.”