HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Confident Crusaders still No. 1 after comeback win
Repetition instills confidence, and from confidence came another victory for the top-ranked Saint Louis Crusaders.
OIA playoffs
Friday
Red
» Farrington at Mililani, 6:30 p.m.
» Aiea at Waianae, 7 p.m.
White
» Kaimuki at Kaiser, 7 p.m.
» Waialua at Waipahu, 7 p.m.
Saturday
Red
» Kapolei at Kahuku 6 p.m.
» Leilehua vs. McKinley at Mililani, 7 p.m.
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After winning their first seven games, including four in Interscholastic League of Honolulu play, the Crusaders finally seemed both vulnerable and beaten on Friday. Kamehameha's 14-0 halftime lead wasn't just a large margin, it was a revelation.
The Warriors shut down a Saint Louis offense that had been prolific since, well, the last time it met Kamehameha.
With only 41 yards, Saint Louis was back at the chalkboard after halftime. Figuring out Kamehameha's new look, a three-man defensive line, turned out to be simple enough for offensive coordinator Vince Passas and field general Micah Mamiya. The result was impressive: 278 second-half yards, 17 points and a narrow win.
Defense, though, has been the rock and anchor all season long for Saint Louis. There's no telling how many of coach Delbert Tengan's defensive players will be playing college football soon. But talent alone doesn't win games.
"We kept picking each other up," defensive end Scott Smith said. "We have faith."
Now one win away from an ILH championship, the one remaining chink in the armor could be penalties. The Crusaders were whistled 13 times for 111 yards.
Down but not out: Iolani is bouncing back in the ILH Division II race. Once a regular in the Top 10, Iolani dropped out after a loss to Damien a few weeks ago. After a 29-22 win over Pac-Five, the Raiders now share first place in their race with Damien.
Though they have relied on offense to carry the load this season, Iolani's defense came through in the clutch against the Wolfpack.
Iolani outrushed Pac-Five 188-169. No Wolfpack runner gained more than 100 yards, a feat for a Raider defense that has been outsized and outmuscled often.