St. Louis and Kamehameha
By Pat Bigold
meet again, this time for title
Star-BulletinKamehameha head coach Kanani Souza has said it's almost impossible to beat St. Louis twice in a row.
That was his mission last year when the Warriors turned a stunning 34-15 upset against the Crusaders to win the second round title, only to fall, 10-3, in the playoff they forced.
Souza won't have to worry about posting back-to-back wins against the nationally ranked (National Prep Football Poll, No. 15) Crusaders tomorrow night at Aloha Stadium when he faces them in another playoff for the ILH crown.
A 14-7 loss in the ILH regular season finale on Saturday gave St. Louis the second round title outright. Kamehameha won the first round by virtue of a St. Louis forfeit.
The winner of the ILH playoff will face nationally ranked Oahu Interscholastic Association champion Kahuku (USA Today, No. 18) in the Prep Bowl on Nov. 27.
Kamehameha held the state's most prolific scoring team to two touchdowns last weekend. But Souza has to be concerned about his offense's five turnovers in the game, a factor that cost the victory.
The Warriors have been No. 1 against the rush this season and No. 2 against the pass.
The St. Louis aerial attack in last year's playoff was in the hands of an inexperienced sophomore quarterback (Timmy Chang) because two-time all-state quarterback Jason Gesser (now at Washington State) had gone down with an injury just before the end of the regular season.
All-state running back Noah Campbell provided much of the offensive punch in the playoff, making Chang's task easier.
It was one of the toughest predicaments St. Louis has found itself in during the school's current streak of 12 straight ILH and Prep Bowl championships.
But Chang is no longer inexperienced. Now a junior with an ILH passing record under his belt (most touchdown passes in a single season: 29), he has learned to shred a secondary. Campbell is an even more seasoned rusher and Damien Cole has come into his own carrying the ball.
Linebacker Joe Siofele, one of the most recruited prep players in the state, leads the St. Louis defense, which was No. 1 against the pass and No. 2 against the rush in the regular season.
Souza said he will probably stick with underclassman Kauka Castro at quarterback. He threw a 72-yard touchdown pass to Puni Ellis in the third quarter last weekend.
''He has won three of his last four starts," said Souza.
Warriors running back Chad Mahoe, who was the ILH's second-leading ground gainer behind Iolani's Joe Igber, was held to less than 20 yards on nine carries.
St. Louis will go with Chang, whose numbers were not as good on Saturday as they've been all season. He completed less than half of his passes. But he threw touchdown passes to all-state receiver Gerald Welch and Gerald Kaui Ho to give St. Louis all of the offense it needed.
St. Louis led the ILH in total offense while Kamehameha was fourth in th4e league.
''We've been playing well as a team, though we are not very big, and we're dependent on each other," said Souza. ''Everybody has to do their job."
Asked if he thinks he's in a better position coming into the game after a loss to St. Louis, Souza laughed and said, ''I really don't know."
Asked what the Crusaders' offense must do to get back into the high gear in which it's cruised all season, St. Louis head coach Cal Lee said simply, ''Do better."
ILH championship
Who: St. Louis vs. Kamehameha