Eight-man football kicks off this
week in the Maui Interscholastic League. Molokai meets Seabury Hall on
Thursday at War Memorial Stadium in the league’s regular-season debut.
Two years of scrimmages and unofficial games provided the development.
“We’ve got 36 boys playing.
There’s nothing else (besides cross country) going on, so they wanted to
try it,” said Seabury Hall athletic director Steve Colflesh, who
coached football in California years ago. “We made a commitment three
years ago to do it. It’s a great opportunity for kids that didn’t have
the opportunity before.”
Hana and St. Anthony are also playing, and with four schools, the MIL recognizes eight-man as an
official sport. Hana has 25 players, motivated in part by NFL summer camps in the East Maui town.
official sport. Hana has 25 players, motivated in part by NFL summer camps in the East Maui town.
St. Anthony has as many as 21, while Molokai has roughly 30 to 35 players.
Colflesh hopes it gains popularity statewide. Several ADs from smaller schools in the ILH have shown
keen interest.
keen interest.
On Hawaii island, eight-man has
been slow to stir interest. At Kohala, AD Laurie Koustik said there are
23 players on the football team.
“Some schools could do it, but I
don’t know if there’s enough drive or education. It would be nice to
see what it looks like,” she said.
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