Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.

Thursday, September 28, 2000

ILH first-round
championship on line

Kamehameha looking for
cracks in St. Louis' defense

---

By Tim Crouse
Special to the Star-Bulletin

The plan for the Kamehameha football team tomorrow is simple on paper.

But executing on the field against the St. Louis Crusaders is a different matter.

Kamehameha and St. Louis meet at Aloha Stadium at 7:45 p.m. tomorrow for the Interscholastic League of Honolulu first-round title. Both teams are 4-0 in the ILH.

"We have to stop the run and their big-play deep ball and hope we can find a couple cracks in their defense," Warrior coach Kanani Souza said.

The main runner Kamehameha has to stop is Pesefea Fiaseu, who is averaging over 10 yards a carry. He has also rushed for eight touchdowns.

The Crusaders' big-play offense is led by quarterbacks Bobby George and Kelika Higa, who have combined for 1,175 yards, 16 touchdowns, and amazingly, zero interceptions.

In four games, the offense has produced three runs of 45 or more yards and six passes of 40 or more yards, and is averaging 52 points a game.

Kamehameha's offense isn't too far behind, averaging just under 45 points per contest.

"Jon (Fo) hasn't been in that many big games but he'll be in one (tomorrow)," Souza said of his senior quarterback.

Although Fo is putting up great numbers so far this year (66 percent completion rate, 670 yards, 12 TDs, 0 INT), Souza said in order to be successful, the Warriors must establish the run.

He said it won't be easy against St. Louis' tough front seven.

Kamehameha's leading rusher is Kelena Hookano (310 yards). Hookano is the league's leading scorer, with nine touchdowns.

"St. Louis is a better passing team, but Kamehameha is more run oriented," Punahou coach Kale Ane said. "But both can do the other, too."

Punahou played both teams tough before falling, including taking a 21-0 lead against St. Louis.

"I think they're both excellent teams," he said. "I was surprised how big Kamehameha is. I knew St. Louis was big. Both are very strong and physical."

Kamehameha is the only team to beat St. Louis since 1996, including a 30-6 win last season.

"St. Louis has more of a winning tradition, but Kamehameha should feel pretty comfortable since they beat them last year," Ane said. "I think it will be a very close game."