Buena’s Hawaii Plans Appear Grounded

Buena High’s plans to play a nonleague football game in Hawaii next fall are all but dead because of a scheduling conflict, according to Buena Coach Rick Scott.

The Bulldogs tentatively had scheduled a game against Konawaena for Aug. 29, two weeks before the start of the Southern Section season. The Southern Section permitted member teams to begin practice one week early for games played in Hawaii last year but will not allow Buena a two-week head start on practice. The Southern Section season is scheduled to begin Sept. 12.

Buena had received permission to play from the Ventura Unified School District, Scott said.

“I thought that was going to be the hassle,” Scott said Friday. “I’m going to appeal one more time but I think (the Southern Section) rule is written in granite.”

Canyon, Chaminade, Crespi and Montclair Prep opened last season with nonleague games in Hawaii after the Southern Section allowed each team to start practice one week before other section teams.