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Thursday, August 17, 2000

St. Louis’ dream
game put off for
at least one
more year

Defending state champions visit
Mililani tomorrow to play in one
of 21 preseason openers

---

By Dave Reardon
Star-Bulletin

The high school football dream game of St. Louis and De La Salle will remain just that -- a dream -- for at least another year.

So the Crusaders will focus on reality and tomorrow's game at Mililani, which is among 21 varsity preseason openers around the state this weekend.

St. Louis coach Cal Lee learned yesterday that De La Salle's 2001 schedule is complete, and it doesn't include the Crusaders. Lee had hoped to play the Spartans of Concord, Calif., next fall.

"That's nice to know. If they're booked for next year ... well, we're not even looking two years down the road yet," Lee said.

St. Louis has won the last 14 consecutive Prep Bowls or state championships, and is ranked eighth in the nation in the Foxsports.com preseason poll. De La Salle is No. 1 in the same rankings, and owns an ongoing record 100-game winning streak.

If there ever is a St. Louis-De La Salle game, it probably won't be played in Hawaii.

"Don't get me wrong. It's a beautiful place," Spartans' coach Bob Ladouceur said. "But I have no interest in taking a team to Hawaii."

Lee said he is open to playing at De La Salle.

"The last we talked was about us going there next fall," he said.

Lee had trouble booking preseason opponents from out of state for this fall. Harvard-Westlake (Los Angeles) and Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.) made agreements to play St. Louis here, but both backed out. Lee said the schools cited financial problems.

The Crusaders play at Mililani tomorrow at 7:30 p.m., following a junior varsity game.

"Mililani is an up-and-coming program that has played well the past few years," Lee said. "Their coaches are students of the game and they're moving in the right direction."

St. Louis senior quarterback Kelika Higa tries to replace All-American Timmy Chang, who is now battling for the starting job at the University of Hawaii.

Two of Higa's top targets are Jason and Frank Rivers.

Senior Ikaika Curnan, the state's dominant linebacker last year, anchors the defense.

Mililani was 4-3-2 last year, and made it to the state quarterfinals.

Senior running back Brian Daniels (6-feet, 215 pounds) is fast for a big man, with 4.6 speed in the 40. He is being looked at by Nebraska, Arizona and Hawaii.

More good news for the Trojans is that their entire defensive front seven is back. But a brand new secondary will be put to an extreme test by St. Louis' run-and-shoot offense.

"I think for preseason we're as ready as we can be," Mililani coach James Millwood said. "We've had some good practices. It will be a good experience for us to go against St. Louis' talent, speed and strength and see where we are."

Kahuku, which St. Louis beat, 19-0, in last year's first-ever state championship game, is in Salt Lake City. Tomorrow, the Red Raiders play Skyline, which is ranked 48th nationally and has won five consecutive state titles.

"It will be a good challenge, especially since we have only five returning starters," Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai said.

The defense should be solid with linemen Chris Kemoeatu and Jonathan Mapu, linebacker Semisi Livai, and free safety Aaron Francisco all back.

On offense, only wide receiver Sosaia Hafoka started for last year's Oahu Interscholastic Association champions.

Tomorrow's other games (varsity games following 5 p.m. junior varsity games unless noted) are: Aiea at Castle, Roosevelt at Campbell, King Kekaulike at Moanalua, Kaimuki at Kaiser, Ka'u at Kaiser, Kalaheo at Radford, Nanakuli at Waianae, Waipahu vs. Kamehameha at Aloha Stadium (JV starts at 5:30 p.m.), St. Anthony vs. Honokaa at War Memorial Stadium (7 p.m.) and Punahou vs. Waimea at Hanapepe Ball Park (7:30 p.m.).

The Father Bray Classic is Saturday at Aloha Stadium: Farrington vs. Damien (2:15 p.m.), McKinley vs. Pac-Five, (5 p.m.), and Leilehua vs. Iolani (7:45 p.m.).

The rest of Saturday's schedule: Kauai at Hawaii Prep, Lahainaluna vs. Kapaa at Vidinha Stadium (2 p.m.); Maui at Konawaena (5 p.m.); Kohala vs. Kalani at Kaiser, Waiakea at Kailua, Kealakehe at Pearl City, and Hilo vs. Kaimuki at Roosevelt (7:30 p.m.).