We just received confirmation today...but...if you like soccer and you like the ILH and the OIA - we now have our version of the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup of local sports.

January 24 - Saturday - it's an OC16 televised soccer doubleheader. 

But not just any doubledip.  ILH member Kamehameha will host the OIA in a match before its own key league game.

At 4pm - OIA boys soccer takes the field with Moanalua and Kaiser on the beautiful grass field of KS-Kapalama.  These are two of the top teams in the OIA Red East.  And yes...they're playing on an ILH field! 

Then at 6pm - it's a key ILH girls soccer game with Kamehameha battling rival Iolani.  At the very least a bid to the state tournament will be on the line - and - depending on who wins between now and then, possibly the ILH championship.

When the concept of this unique and first of its kind doubleheader came up...it seemed like a perfect way to get both leagues on the air during a prime block of time.  So often when we're scheduling things, we can't show something because it goes to one league or another.

Now on one night - both leagues - boys and girls - not bad for a dose of equity in a few ways.

Below the surface of the sport, it's really nice to see both leagues (ILH/OIA) working together to help showcase their student-athletes.  The cooperation among school administrations, staffs and teams in pulling it off is another wonderful display of sportsmanship and kokua.

I mean think about it. 

It's not like Kamehameha needs more work on a busy ILH Saturday.  Yet they graciously open their field to two OIA teams.

On the OIA side - Moanalua is giving up its "homefield" to play Kaiser.  In the OIA Red East...boys soccer...the top spots are bunched pretty tight so this is a key game.  Yet Na Menehune gives up a little advantage to take its shots on goal here.

Let me stress - any league or school - could have said no.  We would have had no hard feelings. 

Instead everyone said "yes" and we're more than thrilled to bring these soccer games to the state in HD (and beyond) on OC16.

In the future...look for more "mixed" league nights of sports on OC16.

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