Capistrano Valley Hopes to Play Football in Hawaii

The Capistrano Valley High School football team hopes to open its season next fall in Hawaii.

The Cougars are awaiting approval of Southern Section officials to play Honolulu Damien High School in one of four games between Southern California California and Hawaii teams next fall in Honolulu.

If their request is approved, the Cougars will play Damien Aug. 30 at Aloha Stadium.

“There’s a possibility of the game,” Capistrano Valley Coach Eric Patton said. “It still needs the (Capistrano Unified School District’s) approval, we have to meet with the parents to see if we can raise money and it needs to be approved by the CIF.

“We were looking for a game and we have a coach on staff (Jim Berg) who has a good friend at Punahou (High School) who helped arrange it. It’s part of a series of games they play over there in Aloha Stadium.”

Skip Akina, the event’s director, said Damien has sent a written request to play Capistrano Valley to the Hawaii State High School Assn. The Hawaii association will contact Southern Section officials for approval, he said.

“We hope to hear for sure if Capo is coming within a week,” Akina said.

If approved, Capistrano Valley’s matchup will be the first of a four-game schedule that includes Canyon Country, Crespi and Montclair Prep. The other California schools have received permission to compete.

Montclair Prep will play Farrington High of Honolulu, Crespi will meet Kahuku High and Canyon Country will play Honolulu St. Louis High. St. Louis finished 18th in nation last year and has a 54-game win streak, the second longest in the nation.

“We would like to take 45-50 players and eight coaches ,” Patton said. “It’s too early to tell costs--anywhere from 500-1000 dollars per person (including board).

“Were open to open to all suggestions on fund-raisers,” Patton said. “Most fund-raisers come from parents--most of the burden is on the parents. Were just trying to get support from them.”

Ara Najarian contributed to this story.