Because of an insufficient number of healthy players, St. Francis announced that it will forfeit its game against Saint Louis scheduled for Friday at Aloha Stadium.

In a statement released Tuesday by Sister Joan of Arc Souza, head of St. Francis School, the Saints were forfeiting "due to injuries sustained during the season; however, by the next scheduled game, against Iolani, we expect to have a sufficient number of our players off the injured list and able to play.

"We have 26 eligible players after the loss to Kamehameha and we expect to have two more back from the injury list by the start of the ILH playoffs. The decision to forfeit was my decision and I have the support of my football coaches."

In the ILH regular-season format, each of the seven teams play each other, regardless of classification.

St. Francis, in its first year of ILH varsity play, plays in Division II. Against D-I opponents, the Saints lost 63-8 to Punahou and 61-26 to Kamehameha.

ILH playoff schedule set

Regular-season champion Punahou will have a first-round bye in the ILH football playoffs, which start next week.

The Buffanblu, who have won the past two ILH titles, play the winner of an Oct. 19 game between Kamehameha and Saint Louis on Oct. 25, at Aloha Stadium.

‘Iolani, looking to extend its D-II title streak to 10 years, opens postseason play against St. Francis on Oct. 19

Should either Saint Louis or Kamehameha win the D-I tournament or Pac-Five, Damien or St. Francis win D-II, a playoff between the winner and the regular-season champion would determine the overall champion, which would qualify for the state tournament.

The ILH still has one more weekend of regular-season games, with Pac-Five playing Punahou, and Kamehameha at Damien this Friday.

Kalaheo forfeits to Kaiser

Due to a depleted roster, Kalaheo will forfeit its varsity game at Kaiser on Friday, according to Harold Tanaka, the OIA football coordinator. There will still be a JV game at 6 p.m.

It’s the second time an OIA White team has forfeited a game against Kaiser this season. Anuenue was the first.