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The Hilo Vikings are more than happy to have a shot at knocking off powerhouse Kahuku.
Last week, Hilo self-reported a potential eligibility issue regarding a player to the Big Island Interscholastic Federation. Hilo principal Robert Dircks initiated an investigation into a rumor that floated in the days leading up to the BIIF championship game with Kealakehe last week.
"It boiled down to whether the boy lived in the area. The rumor was spread by people who didn’t have all the facts," Dircks said. "We found him eligible."
The BIIF looked into the situation, but hasn’t come to a conclusion yet because league president Shawn Suzuki is off-island this week. The league essentially deferred to Hilo’s findings. So, the Vikings are heading to the First-Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA D-I State Football Championships on Oahu.
"It’s come to the point where people don’t believe principals and rumors spread on social media," Dircks said.
Suzuki did not return calls as of Wednesday afternoon. BIIF executive director Lyle Crozier and Hilo football coach David Baldwin declined to comment.
Kealakehe athletic director Alan Vogt confirmed the BIIF’s investigation, but added that if his school’s football team had been asked to represent the BIIF, the Waveriders probably would not participate in the state tournament.
