Despite its 1-2 record (0-1 in ILHplay), Iolani is bristling with weapons unforeseen in preseason.
The Raiders have been able to pass the ball as well as run it with a surprising degree of success. They have also been able to defend with a pass rush led by a bright new college prospect.
St. Louis head coach Cal Lee has been impressed by what he has seen of Iolani since preseason.
"Iolani seems to move the ball well on the ground and throw to a lot of receivers - those are good enough weapons for anybody," said Lee.
The Raiders forced unbeaten Kamehameha (3-0 since preseason) to come from behind to pull out a 34-29 win last Friday at the stadium.
St. Louis (3-0 since preseason) opened last weekend with a 37-6 drubbing of Damien at Aloha Stadium.
In an earlier game at the stadium tomorrow, Pac-Five will meet Kamehameha.
Central to Iolani's potential for an upset are the running of sophomore Joe Igber, the passing of Marvin Wong (217 aerial yards) and the defensive pressure applied by 6-1, 303-pound Ed Taumu. Taumu tore through the Warriors' big offensive line last week to record four sacks.
"We've got to make sure that they don't hit the home run with the long pass or with the run," said a cautious Lee.
"You have to watch Igber because he can make those plays."
Taumu will try to rip through a St. Louis offensive line that is heavier than Kamehameha's.
"He has been a big headache for offenses this year and he's gonna be a force to be reckoned with," said Lee. "We're gonna have our hands full with a guy who's big and agile like him."
Iolani coach Wendell Look said teams are just starting to become aware of what Taumu can do.
"He plays every down hard, and you have to like that," he said. "But Ed has some good people around him and that helps."
As for Igber, who scored two touchdowns last week against Kamehameha and had a 50-yard TD run called back, it will continue to depend upon how creative Iolani is in getting the ball to him.
"We have to find ways to get the ball to him and break him free because we don't have the size of offensive line to run 25 or 30 times a game," said Look. "He's exciting - a Barry Sanders type of guy - with a quick, explosive style who's still learning the game."
St. Louis will counter with its speedy and talented defense, led by all-staters Jacob Yoro and Wes Tufaga. Yoro is a linebacker while Tufaga is a defensive back.
On offense, there is junior quarterback Jason Gesser, who can pick and choose from a deep corps of receivers, led by the team's fastest player, Randyn Akiona.
The Oahu Interscholastic Association's best matchup of the week is Saturday's White Conference showdown between Leilehua (2-0) and Aiea (2-0) at the Mules' home field.
Kimo Kim, who scored 13 touchdowns last season, is back for Na Alii and is their big-play threat.
"He can break a game wide open," said Leilehua head coach Cass Ishitani.
Linebacker Warren Ickes is the leader of the Mules' defense, along with Nick Montibon.
For Aiea, the clear defensive key is Ing Aleaga, younger brother of Washington's Ink Aleaga.
Aiea head coach Wendell Say said his veteran quarterback, Mark Okano, didn't play until the second preseason game because he was competing in a mainland baseball tournament. But Okano is now back in gear.
Say said 6-4 Kenny Offerman has been converted from a tight end to an outside linebacker.
"He blocked three passes against Kalaheo and ran back a fumble 35 yards for a touchdown," said Say.