King Kekaulike Kicks Off Football Season Monday

Long-time King Kekaulike assistant coach Clarence Rivers talks with Earl Naki-Vea (8) during a break in the action at last year’s home opener against Kamehameha Maui. Rivers is back for the upcoming 2017 season, but Naki-Vea was one of 11 seniors who graduated in May. King Kekaulike football officially starts Monday, July 17, at 3:30 p.m. File photo by Rodney S. Yap.

By MauiNow Staff

King Kekaulike High School football starts Monday, July 17, for junior varsity and varsity players.

All interested student-athletes must attend the “mandatory” practices to be eligible to play in the upcoming 2017 Maui Interscholastic League football season.

Junior varsity and varsity practices are being held Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Kekaulike Baseball Field. All players need to have the current Physical and Consent Form signed to participate.

Any questions, players are to contact varsity co-head coaches Tyson Valle at 808-281-8468 or Dennis Dias at 740-3771.

King Kekaulike’s only non-conference game this season is in Nishinomiya, Japan, on Saturday, July 22, at Kwansei Gakuin. Na Ali’i defeated the visiting Fighters, 15-10, at King Kekaulike Stadium in 2010. Kwansei Gakuin also played the Upcountry school in 2007, winning that one here 46-20.

According to Coach Valle the team leaves for Japan tomorrow, Sunday, and return to the Valley Isle the day after the game, Sunday, July 23. Valle said the travel squad includes about half the team, 20 players and five coaches.

King Kekaulike will kickoff the 2017 MIL regular season on Thursday, Aug. 17, at Lahainaluna. Due to construction for turf installation and track upgrade, Na Ali’i will not be hosting any home games this season. The Upcountry football team will play all its home games at War Memorial Stadium instead.

2017 MIL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Friday, Aug. 4

Kalaheo at Kamehameha Maui, 6 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 5

Maui High vs. Kapaa at War Memorial, TBA

Lahainaluna at Pearl City, TBA

Saturday, Aug. 12

Kamehameha Kapalama at Lahainaluna, 3 p.m.

Baldwin vs. Saint Louis at Aloha Stadium, 6 p.m.

Maui High vs. Damien on Oahu, TBA

Saturday, Aug. 19

Baldwin vs. Mission Viejo (Calif.) at War Memorial, 6 p.m.

Valley Center at Kamehameha Maui, 6 p.m.

MIL VARSITY REGULAR SEASON

(All junior varsity games are scheduled for 4:30 p.m. prior to varsity games)

First Round

Thursday, Aug. 17

King Kekaulike at Lahainaluna, 7 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 18

Maui High at Kamehameha Maui, 7 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 25

Maui High vs. Lahainaluna at War Memorial, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 26

Baldwin vs. King Kekaulike at War Memorial, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 1

Baldwin vs. Lahainaluna at War Memorial, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 2

King Kekaulike vs. Kamehameha Maui at War Memorial, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 8

Baldwin vs. Kamehameha Maui at War Memorial, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 9

King Kekaulike vs. Maui High at War Memorial, 7 p.m.

Second Round

Friday, Sept. 22

Baldwin vs. King Kekaulike at War Memorial, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 23

Maui High at Lahainaluna, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 29

King Kekaulike vs. Lahainaluna at War Memorial, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 30

Maui High vs. Kamehameha Maui at War Memorial, 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 6

Baldwin at Lahainaluna, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 7

King Kekaulike at Kamehameha Maui, 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 13

Maui High vs. King Kekaulike at War Memorial, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 14

Baldwin at Kamehameha Maui, 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 20

Baldwin vs. Maui High at War Memorial, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 21

Kamehameha Maui at Lahainaluna, 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 27

Division I championship playoff, if necessary, at War Memorial

Saturday, Oct. 28

Division II championship playoff, if necessary, at War Memorial

State Championships

All games will be played Nov. 18 at Aloha Stadium.

D-II semifinals will be played Nov. 3, and D-I semifinals on Nov. 4, at sites TBD.

Open semifinals will be Nov. 10 at Aloha Stadium.

2017 State Football Format

Open Division — Three from OIA, one from ILH

Division I — One each from MIL, ILH, BIIF, KIF

Division II — One each from MIL, OIA, ILH, BIIF