Thursday, November 26, 1998
By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
Kahuku running back Talamoni Talamoni has a
deep thigh bruise, but will start for the Red Raiders
tomorrow against St. Louis.
Can Kahuku
finally end
St. Louis’ streak?
Some say this is the OIA's best
By Pat Bigold
chance in years to break through
and win the Prep Bowl
Star-BulletinWill St. Louis do what no one else has done this year -- stuff Kahuku's powerful running game?
Or will Kahuku's massive offensive line (averaging 288 pounds across) overpower St. Louis's defense and push the Crusaders all over the field?
The answer will come tomorrow night as the two nationally ranked teams face each other in Oahu Prep Bowl XXVI at Aloha Stadium.
The game, which is expected to draw 25,000 to 30,000 people and will be televised on pay-per-view, has been one of the most anticipated in the history of the postseason prep classic.
The last time the teams faced each other was in the 1995 Oahu Prep Bowl when St. Louis came away with a heartpounding 27-26 decision.
The obvious key to Kahuku's chances is its ground attack, which has trampled every opponent to date.
The Red Raiders' top rusher, 6-foot, 204-pound senior Talamoni Talamoni suffered a thigh injury on his second carry in the OIA championship game against Waianae two weeks ago.
But Kahuku athletic director Hartwell Lee Loy Jr. said last night that Talamoni, who led the OIA Red Conference in rushing yardage, is cleared to start tomorrow.
"It was a deep bruise," said Lee Loy, "but he's ready."
St. Louis's forte, as always, is a seemingly limitless ofensive arsenal. Quarterback Timmy Chang, a junior, broke the ILH record for touchdown passes in a single season with 29.
He has a game-breaking receiver in all-stater Gerald Welch.
The St. Louis running game is deeper than it has been in a few years with 5-11, 210-pound all-stater Noah Campbell and 5-8, 200-pound junior Damien Cole.
Defensively, linebacker Joseph Siofele, a 6-2, 235-pound all-stater, might be the best in the state.
But Rich Miano, a local broadcaster and former NFL defensive back, said yesterday he thinks Kahuku will win.
"I just think you can't stop their running game," Miano said.
He referred not only to Talamoni but also to 5-7, 228-pound fullback Andreas Manumaleuna who had 125 yards and a touchdown in Kahuku's 20-0 OIA title win against the Seariders.
"And I believe they have enough athletes on defense to slow St. Louis down. Coaching experience has to go to St. Louis, but Kahuku has better athletes in terms of depth."
But Miano said the margin of victory for Kahuku could be no more than a field goal.
"My heart is with St. Louis because Cal coached me and I've worked with kids at St. Louis and they're just great athletes. But I think this is the year Kahuku could break the string. This is the best Kahuku team ever."
Miano played for Kaiser in its 27-7 victory over Kamehameha in the 1979 Oahu Prep Bowl.
Punahou head coach Dan Morrison said he still sees St. Louis as the favorite, but he doesn't agree with those who think this is the best Crusaders team of the decade.
"I think the team with Darnell Arceneaux when he was a junior (1994) was a better team," Morrison said.
"Don't get me wrong, because this is a very good St. Louis team. They've gotten better in the secondary, which early on was their Achilles heel."
Morrison pointed to Jandin Thornton-Murray (nine picks), who had some weaknesses as a defensive back early in the season but is now one of the strongest aspects of the St. Louis secondary. Thornton-Murray had two interceptions in the ILH playoff championship against Kamehameha. He turned one of them into an 80-yard return for a touchdown.
Morrison said Chang's ability to execute is a key.
"If he drops nine yards, he can be unencumbered for 2.5 or 3 seconds and he'll just kill you," Morrison said.
"But people are finding ways to put pressure on him. We sacked him four times (31-0 loss on Halloween) and ever since then his pass completion percentage has dropped. It'll matter how much Kahuku has looked at that and how much within their capabilities they can exploit it."
McKinley head coach David Tanuvasa, whose team scored more points than any other team this season against the Red Raiders in a 38-18 loss at Kahuku, thinks the OIA champs' secondary will hold up.
"Kahuku has defensive backs who can run, they have real good coverages and they like to challenge people," said Tanuvasa who coached the Red Conference's top passing offense.
"Against St. Louis, I think they will play a lot of zone, and they will mix it up, too, because they have a lot of confidence going in."
Tanuvasa said he believes Kahuku can sustain its drives against the Crusaders' defense.
"St. Louis is going to have to strike quickly and force Kahuku to change its offensive plan," he said.
What the pros are saying
St. Louis and Kahuku each have two graduates in the National Football League.The four said they would be calling home or checking the Star-Bulletin's website to find out how their alma mater fared in the 26th Oahu Prep Bowl.
Some quick comments from each:
Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala (St. Louis), Pittsburgh Steelers, rookie running back: "You can't stop St. Louis' attitude toward the game. When you go to St. Louis, the mind-set is, 'We're the champs and we're not going to lose, no matter what.' Kahuku has to feel the same, if not better, in order to win."
Pat Bigold
Oahu Prep Bowl XXVI
