Hilo High senior defensive lineman Isi Holani wasn’t a prime candidate to score a touchdown a handful of years ago when he blocked a punt and then picked it up and rumbled into the end zone at Kamehameha.
Afterward, Holani said the scoop and score not only was his first touchdown in BIIF play, but at any level of competitive football.
Not even Pop Warner?
“I was too big to play Pop Warner,” Holani said.
Holani likely never came close to meeting weight requirements to participate in the youth football organization, but Big Island Pop Warner is throwing away the scales this season in favor of four strictly age-based divisions: 14 and under, 12U, 10U and 8U.
League officials say the move will make football opportunities more inclusive as Pop Warner continues to tweak rules to foster a safer game.
Last season, an unlimited weight class was debuted for the oldest division, and “We a had successful season,” Panaewa Alii president Abraham Alvarez said. “We got some big kids out there who never had a chance to play.
“For the younger players, the big guys won’t have to worry about weight, they don’t have to worry about losing weight, they can just play. The kids deserve this opportunity.”
Previously, the peewee division welcomed players ages 9-11 between weights of 75 to 130 pounds or 12-year-olds from 75-110 pounds.
It wasn’t just the big kids who were affected by the weight restrictions, Big Island commissioner Brenda Kuamoo said.
“Especially for peewee, we had lighter players who struggled to make weight at 75,” she said. “We’d be turning kids away in tears.”
By streamlining the divisions and making the gap two-year based, Kuamoo said games would become safer and fairer, pointing out the former junior varsity division was for ages 10-13 and varsity 12 to 15.
“The range is much smaller this year, instead of being spread out by three years,” she said.
Pop Warner allowed each league to select its format this season. Kuamoo said Oahu, for example, opted for a different system.
All 12 Big Island associations presidents, after a discussion in which some were resistant to change, voted unanimously in favor of age-based divisions.
“Pretty much every other sport is age-based,” Alvarez said.
He understands some parents may be hesitant to have their child collide head-to-head against a player much heavier or more physically developed.
“I’m telling them there might be (inequalities), but in my experience the big kids are heavier and slower, the small kids are lighter and faster and get around,” he said. “Last year, I think (Panaewa) only had one injury.”
To avoid head-to-head collisions, Pop Warner also banned the use of the three-point stance in the 12U and younger divisions, and kickoffs continue to be prohibited in younger divisions as well.
Alvarez said opening the game to heavier players will lead to enhanced footwork, an especially important concept for lineman. This in turn could pay off in high school play.
Lack of seasoning wasn’t a problem for Holani, a physical talent who was the 2013 BIIF Division I Defensive Player of Year before going on to play at Kansas, wrapping up his career last season.
But getting kids into football at an earlier age could help BIIF teams develop the next Holani, Hilo High coach Kaeo Drummondo said.
“First of all, the obvious benefit will be basic football specific skill development for kids who otherwise don’t get introduced to it until the ninth grade, which is late to be learning important basic fundamentals like proper stance, specific hand/feet placement, running, backpedaling, and blocking and tackling,” Drummondo said.
“Secondly, allowing more kids to participate at a younger age will hopefully allow them to develop more football specific mental awareness or football IQ. The development of their minds to understand situations will help them as they get older and play in more competitive environments.”
Pop Warner registration
Kuamoo said 11 Big Island organizations – Ka’u is sitting out this season – are actively registering players, with team certification set for mid-July. Practices begin Aug. 1, and the season kicks off Aug. 25.
For more information, contact an association president:
Hamakua Cougars: Jessie Grace, jngraceqol@gmail.com, 896-8005
Kohala Chargers: Kaman Kupukaa, kkupukaa@hotmail.com; 238-6747
Kona Marlins: Mike Flannary, bigmicshunting@gmail.com; 494-9544
Leeward Steelers: Shayne Kedekein, bigsouthern2l@yahoo.com; 989-1665
Waimea Cowboys: Matthew Moniz, nakeikiehal@hotmail.com, 756-6870
Hilo Spartans: Kapua Francisco, moku.nua@gmail.com, 387-0458
Keaukaha Warriors: Jowell Atiz, jowellatiz@gmail.com, 854-0083
Panaewa Alii: Abraham Alvarez, abraalvarez@yahoo.com, 854-3819
Puna Rebels: Leonard Fuerte, lfuerte@maunaloa.com, 640-3767
Waiakea Nakoa: Candy Torres, khamama03@gmail.com, 785-7020
Westside Eagles: Darren Naihe, dcbnaihe@gmail.com, 987-3245
