StarBulletin.com

Saint Louis' Gonsalves may miss rest of season


By

POSTED: Tuesday, October 07, 2008

If there's a will, there may be a way for Lucas Gonsalves.

The Saint Louis senior slotback is out for up to seven weeks with a broken collarbone suffered in the Crusaders' 35-30 loss to 'Iolani on Saturday.

Gonsalves had 25 receptions for 337 yards and three touchdowns in just four games until the injury. Without him, Crusaders quarterback Jeremy Higgins lost his primary target and had a season-low 60 percent completion rate (23-for-38).

Though Saint Louis has plenty of depth with UH-bound Billy Ray Stutzmann, Jordan Fukumoto, Trevor Mau, Kyle Souza and Micah McClinton, losing Gonsalves is a major hit.

“;If we make it that far, he might come back for the last game of the season,”; Crusaders coach John Hao said. “;He's still a leader. He'll go out there and lead with a commanding influence.”;

Gonsalves' combination of speed, precise route running and athleticism made it easier for Stutzmann to get 1-on-1 coverage. Now, the three-sport starter will have to watch Saint Louis go through the fire of the ILH season from the sideline.

“;With any injury like this, especially when a kid is doing so well, it's a lot of frustration,”; Hao said. “;The best healer is time, emotionally and physically. In a week or so, I think he'll realize he's got a different role now.”;

Saint Louis was No. 1 and practically flawless with four wins until the loss to 'Iolani. Hao gave 'Iolani plenty of credit for playing well in the clutch, but noted that the Crusaders caused a lot of their own obstacles.

“;A lot of mental mistakes, missed assignments. Just the little things cost us touchdowns,”; Hao said. “;The trick plays beat us. When you're supposed to play man, you have to stay with your man. But that's correctable. We'll shake it off and move on.”;

 

Knocked off the top

Entering last weekend, there were only three teams that had unbeaten overall records.

Now there's only one: Kauai. The Red Raiders had a bye weekend and are 2-0 in the Kauai Interscholastic Federation (4-0 overall).

Saint Louis is now 4-1 (2-1 Interscholastic League of Honolulu) after falling to defending Division II state champion 'Iolani.

Konawaena finally lost after opening the season 7-0. The Wildcats were blanked at Hawaii Prep, 12-0.

Injuries have been a factor for the 'Cats, but Saturday was altogether different. Nine players took their SAT, expecting to complete the 52-mile drive from Konawaena to HPA before the 2 p.m. kickoff.

However, the nine Wildcats didn't leave campus until 2:20 and arrived in the second quarter. By then, HPA's gargantuan line (by BIIF standards) was in control.

Konawaena still won the first-round D-II title by tiebreaker, but HPA expects to continue improving.

 

Chaotic chase

Tomorrow's Star-Bulletin Football Top 10 will probably be a free-for-all.

Will D-II 'Iolani possibly land at No. 1?

The volleyball poll is just as convoluted.

Last week, three teams received first-place votes, and one-loss squads like Punahou and Kamehameha-Hawaii continued to win. The only remaining unbeaten teams are Waiakea, Kamehameha-Maui and Kauai.