WAIPAHU, Hawaii — Keliana Malama’s personal expectations weren’t particularly high when she ran onto the Waipahu High School field from a giant inflatable football helmet Sunday night.
The rules, the lineup, almost everything, really, was foreign to Malama, an eighth-grader at Kawananakoa Middle School. Malama was one of approximately 40 players selected to participate in a women’s flag football exhibition as part of the 808 Senior Pro Bowl Day. A slatted showcase for underrecruited high school seniors.
(Note: See below for more photos from the 808 Senior PRO Bowl Day flag football and OIA vs. ILH game.)
Malama has participated in two practices over the past two weeks with his new teammates scattered around Oahu, but felt he was behind the other players in ability and preparation. All she knew was that no tackles were allowed and that she had to stay seven yards behind the line of scrimmage when defending.
However, it turns out that the rugby-minded soccer player did well for Team Mauka, putting relentless pressure on Team Makai’s quarterback and flying the flag for several sacks in Mauka’s 6-0 win. .
“I really like it. I like the adrenaline rush,” Malama told Spectrum News. “I like how we move the ball forward and try to stop the ball as a team. I hope to continue this in high school.”
In many ways, this event is a prelude to the debut of sanctioned Hawaii high school flag football, which will be played in 44 public schools and a handful of schools across the state, with 40 minutes of 7-on-7 action in the first and second halves. It was a battle. Private schools begin in February and culminate with the 12-team HHSAA tournament in April.
Hundreds of people watched the match. The games followed two traditional soccer contests between players from Oahu and Hawaii Island, and two games between Maui All-Stars and Oahu players.
Team Mauka coach Andrew Ganavan said practices were held at Ewa Beach and Roosevelt High School to prepare the players to take part in Zoom sessions to learn the intricacies of the sport.
“The rules for 7-on-7 girls flag are very different than what I’m normally used to,” said Ganavan, who will be on Roosevelt High School’s flag football staff next season. “Now we have a qualified center (to catch passes), the field is smaller, the rules have changed. At the same time, it’s easier for a lot of these girls because they don’t have any bad habits. They Many of them had never played soccer before, so it was a little easier for the coaches to teach them this new game.”
He said many of the girls, who range in age from late elementary school to high school, were initially shy, but “now that we have experienced this first game, we are confident that the high school season will go well.” good. “
Sometimes it worked to start by learning the rules. If a player throws into the end zone to a receiver for a touchdown, it was actually out of bounds. This is because a traditional football field consists of end zones on both ends, and the flag area is only 80 yards from 0 to 10.
The team went for it on fourth down almost every time, and there were quite a few interceptions.
Players were encouraged to wear soft shell helmets, although some had them and some did not. All players wore mouthguards. There was occasional contact and six referees gave warnings.
The night concluded with a fierce competition between OIA and ILH seniors, coached by Sterling Carvalho of Kahuku High School and Tupu Alualu of St. Louis School. ILH team won 7-0.
The purpose of the day was to give exposure to seniors who are not in the tier invited to play in the Polynesian Bowl in January. Ray Mahe, director of the National Football Foundation’s Hawaii chapter, said events like this had not been held before the COVID-19 pandemic. The match was live streamed.
“Today was a blessed day, and I believe the support of all the volunteers, coaches, teams, and community made this event a success,” Mahe said.
Mahe said preparations for 808 Senior PRO (Player Recruiting Opportunity) Day have been in the works since May, with the flag football game being a key component. The Hawaii Department of Education announced flag football as an officially sanctioned sport in August.
“I think it was wonderful,” Mae said. “Coach DJ Downie Jones of the WEAH (Wahine Era Athletics Hawaii) organization, her coaches and their staff, the XL 808 league officials, and hopefully, since it’s a new sport, I can be a part of the high school officiating. ” They ran the game well and were very competitive. ”
Team Mauka and Team Makai players exchanged greetings on the Waipahu High School field before the game. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
Receiver Brianna Higa sent in a pass for Team Mauka. (Spectrum News/Brian MacInnis)
Zairi Robinson threw a pass for Team Makai, which was chased by Keliana Malama. (Spectrum News/Brian MacInnis)
Team Makai quarterback Zairi Robinson tried to get around Keliana Malama. (Spectrum News/Brian MacInnis)
Team Mauka’s Laeja Kuhiiki advances the ball as Team Mauka’s Keliana Malama closes in. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
Team Mauka’s Bridie Anne Higa collided with Team Makai’s Zairi Robinson. (Spectrum News/Brian MacInnis)
Team Makai’s Charissa Asinsin (bottom left) went down with an interception. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
Team Makai’s Kaiana Lee tried to run away from Team Mauka’s Alexiaarae Medeiros, middle, Brianna Higa (3). (Spectrum News/Brian MacInnis)
Team Mauka’s Chevel Kane posed as she took to the field. (Spectrum News/Brian MacInnis)
Team Mauka quarterback Bridie Ann Higa hit a deep ball. (Spectrum News/Brian MacInnis)
Team Mauka players posed with their championship trophies. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
Team Mauka players signed coach Andrew Ganavan’s shirts. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
Team Makai players gathered after the match. (Spectrum News/Brian MacInnis)
Team Mauka hiked the ball. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
St. Louis football coach Tupu Alualu was on hand to coach the ILH All-Star team during Sunday’s nightcap. (Spectrum News/Brian MacInnis)
Team Makai’s Zairi Robinson scrambled with Team Mauka’s Keliana Malama. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
Kamehameha quarterback Pono Kaurelio played for the ILH Oahu All-Stars on Sunday night. (Spectrum News/Brian MacInnis)
Waianae quarterback Hanohano Plunkett had a pass defended by his Oahu OIA All-Star teammate. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
Mililani’s Nakoa Kahana-Travis returns a punt for the Oahu OIA All Stars. (Spectrum News/Brian MacInnis)
Mililani’s Nakoa Kahana Travis took a hard hit from Kamehameha’s Keawe’ev Kekaiali’i. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis) And he lost the ball. (Spectrum News/Brian MacInnis)
Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. Contact him at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.
