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Prep Beat
A different outcome against a familiar foe. St. Louis, Kahuku
to tangle in state
final --as expectedBy Tim Crouse
Special to the Star-BulletinThat is what Kahuku is hoping for when it meets nationally ranked St. Louis in a rematch of last year's inaugural state title game which was won by the Crusaders, 19-0.
When the teams meet Friday for the Chevron State Football Championship, it will mark the sixth time in the past eight seasons St. Louis and Kahuku have faced off in a season finale -- with the Crusaders coming out on top every time.
St. Louis beat the Red Raiders five times in the Prep Bowl between 1989 and 1998, and lead the all-time series 10-1.
The lone Kahuku win came in 1959.
"It doesn't matter who they have playing there," Red Raiders coach Siuaki Livai said. "(St. Louis') system is rolling."
In last Friday's semifinals, St. Louis walloped Waianae, 63-10, and Kahuku handled Kaimuki, 41-26.
It was the second consecutive year the Crusaders ended the Seariders' season. St. Louis beat Waianae, 53-21, in the quarterfinals of last year's tournament.
The Seariders did manage to break the Crusaders' string of three postseason shutouts, which dated back to last year's semifinals.
The St. Louis defense recorded 15 consecutive shutout quarters in the tournament before Brandon Lopes connected with Graen Enriquez on an 88-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
Up until that play, the Crusaders had limited the Seariders to just 67 yards of offense. Oahu Interscholastic Association Red Division All-Stars Lono Manners and Peter Sarono were held to a combined 35 yards rushing on 19 carries.
Bobby George and Kelika Higa each threw first-quarter touchdown passes to start the rout. Higa's 92-yard scoring pass to Daniel Inferrera was the longest pass play in the tournament's brief history.
George tossed for four scores, and seven St. Louis players scored touchdowns.
Kahuku beat Kaimuki for the third time this season.
Livai rested eight starters against the Bulldogs, including OIA Red first-team All-Stars Douglas Hiu and Chris Kemoeatu.
Backup quarterback Ferron Fonoimoana started his first game in place of Inoke Funaki, who was out with a fever.
Fonoimoana threw three touchdown passes and ran for another to lead the Red Raiders' offense.
"I wanted Ferron to gain experience in big-game situations," Livai said.
He said it's difficult to get adequate playing time for reserves because the OIA mercy rule keeps the clock running in the second half when the lead reaches 35. Five of Kahuku's eight regular-season games involved the mercy rule.
"At least (Fonoimoana) had the opportunity to play," Livai said.
Marcus Salanoa chipped in with 79 rushing yards and two touchdowns -- on two carries. His 67-yard run in the third quarter was a tournament record.
Kaimuki -- which dressed only 31 players compared with Kahuku's 80 -- ended a successful season at 10-4.
OIA Red offensive player of the year Justin Faimealelei caught a pair of touchdown passes and finished with 82 yards from scrimmage.
This is how the Star-Bulletin voted in this week's Hawaii Sports Network high school football poll. See the Prep Report in Wednesday's Star-Bulletin for comprehensive high school sports coverage. Star-Bulletin Top 10
Team Overall Record 1. St. Louis 14-0 2. Kahuku 12-2 3. Kamehameha 9-2 4. Waianae 12-2 5. Kaimuki 10-4 6. Waimea 8-1 7. Maui 10-1-1 8 Castle 9-4 9 Kailua 6-4 10. McKinley 8-2