Thursday, November 22, 2001

Cal Lee comes full circle
in semifinal matchup

The St. Louis coach meets Kailua
again, 29 years after falling in his
opening game at the ILH school

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By Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.com

1972 was a good year for debuts.

Movie-goers were flocking to see "The Godfather," "M*A*S*H" was added to CBS's prime-time lineup, and Cal Lee coached his first game at St. Louis.

But Lee's introduction was less than grand as the Crusaders lost their season opener to Kailua 25-14 en route to a 2-7-1 season.

"I just want to say it was a long time ago," Lee said. "It was at their field, and it was a very humbling experience."

High school football has seen many changes in the 29 years since Lee last faced the Surfriders; among them, St. Louis' growth into a prep superpower under Lee's command.

And as Lee nears the end of his coaching career at St. Louis, he will lead the Crusaders against Kailua tomorrow with a spot in the state championship game on the line.

"It'll be fun," Lee said. "They've got a good football team and some quality players, and it should just be a good football game."

The Crusaders and Surfriders will meet at 7:30 p.m. in the second game of the Chevron State Football Championship semifinals at Aloha Stadium. Kahuku faces Waimea in the first game at 5 p.m.

All four teams cruised through last week's quarterfinals, as the winners defeated their opponents by an average of 39 points.

Tomorrow's meeting between Kailua and St. Louis will actually be the second since 1972. The schools last met in 1977, with St. Louis winning 21-12 under coach Ron Marciel.

For the Crusaders to continue their march toward the state title game, their defense will have to derail a Kailua running game that rumbled for 374 yards last week in the Surfriders' 53-8 quarterfinal win over Waiakea.

Nathan Leaver rushed for 179 yards and three touchdowns, while quarterback Taleki Mailau ran for 105 yards and three scores. Brenton Harbottle added 90 yards and a touchdown.

A mammoth offensive line of Samson Satele (6-foot-4, 290 pounds), Kahai LaCount (6-3, 300), Marques Kaonohi (6-2, 250), Larry So'oalo (6-5, 301) and Kapena Richardson (6-0, 287) leads the way for the Kailua backs.

"It's a college offensive line," Lee said. "They've got height, size, and they're big, strong guys. It's a real big concern because they run the ball so well."

The Crusader defense isn't exactly puny, led by defensive end Tolifili Liufau (6-3, 290) and linebacker Taualai Fonoti (6-1, 240). St. Louis has allowed only 59 rushing yards over its last three games and surrendered just three touchdowns on the ground all season.

The St. Louis offense has also hit its stride. The combination of quarterback Bobby George and receiver Jason Rivers hooked up for three touchdowns last week, while Crusader running backs Justin Cabansag, B.J. Batts and Prince Brown exploded in their last two games.

The trio combined for 187 yards and five touchdowns last week against Aiea and had 215 yards and four scores against Kamehameha on Nov. 2.

"I like the way we've progressed this season," Lee said. "It makes us feel better that we have not only been passing but running as well."

They will face a Kailua defense that improved late in the season by eliminating mental errors, most notably cutting out drive-busting personal fouls. And the Surfriders, who are making their first appearance in the state semifinals, must keep their composure to avoid crucial mistakes against the Crusaders.

"They know we're playing a good football team," Kailua coach Darren Johnson said. "But they're focused on being disciplined and making sure we stay focused on the football game and not get caught up with the hoopla."

The first game of the day features a rematch of one of last year's quarterfinal games.

Kahuku defeated Waimea 43-17 to open their state championship run a year ago, but the Red Raiders expect to face an improved Menehune squad.

"They really have a system that's working," Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai said. "For them to beat Castle 41-20 (in last week's quarterfinal game), that has to count for something. I expect them to be ready."

The Aloha Stadium field may tilt toward the makai sideline tomorrow as the Red Raiders suit up 91 players for the game, while Waimea has 28 on its roster.

"We don't have a lot of numbers and trying to keep everyone healthy and fresh is a big priority for us," Waimea coach Jon Kobayashi said. "By facing Castle, it gave us some idea of the caliber of play that we have to face. (The players) know what to expect, nothing is going to be a surprise, they're not going to be in shock. ... But when you face a great team like Kahuku, you have to be on your toes."

Kahuku quarterback Inoke Funaki is coming off one of the best passing days of his career. The senior passed for 307 yards and five touchdowns in Kahuku's 57-14 win over Lahainaluna last week and the Red Raiders set a state tournament record with 361 passing yards as a team.

"If they design to stop our run, we're going to pass," Livai said. "We're not like the old Kahuku where we prepare to run no matter what. ... Whatever they allow us to do, that's what we're going to do."

Waimea does most of its business on the ground. The Menehunes rushed for 448 yards against Castle, led by Chesley Barba's 152 yards and Timmy Chang Wo's 167.

But the Menehunes may have to throw the ball effectively in order to sustain drives against an athletic Kahuku defense.

"We have to do what we do best," Kobayashi said. "We have to work on our run and work on a little bit more passing because we know that they're going to stuff us on the inside."

While Kahuku defensive end Jonathan Mapu draws the most attention, Livai said linebacker Joshua Hodge and safety Sola Soliai have been the heart of the Red Raider defense this season.

"He's been dominating all season long," Livai said of Hodge. "He's overlooked by all-star picks, but if you go to our film, he's sacking people left and right. He's the main guy really. Those people sometimes get lost in the shuffle when they talk about JT Mapu."

State football At Aloha Stadium Semifinals >> Kahuku vs. Waimea, 5 p.m. >> St. Louis vs. Kailua, 7:30 p.m. Championship game >> Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m.

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