Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.

Wednesday, November 29, 2000

WHO WILL WIN
STATE FOOTBALL TITLE?

Private school vs. Public school. Country against town. Defending champion and hungry underdog.

It's down to St. Louis (14-0) and Kahuku (12-2) again.

Ben Henry and Glen Higa have covered the Crusaders and Red Raiders for the Star-Bulletin from the beginning of the 2000 Chevron State Football Championships.

Today they tell us the reasons why each team has a chance to win Friday night's championship game at Aloha Stadium (kickoff at 8:05 p.m.) and take home the perpetual trophy (right).

See the Star-Bulletin tomorrow and Friday for features on each team, and Saturday for comprehensive postgame coverage.

 | | |

Legacy, history
favor St. Louis

No team has found a way
to beat the Saints in the
final game of the season

Motivation on Kahuku's side

---

By Ben Henry
Special to the Star-Bulletin

The St. Louis Crusaders will try to win their 15th-consecutive postseason championship game Friday when they take on the Kahuku Red Raiders.

The defending state champions and winners of 13 previous Prep Bowls have certainly made a tradition out of winning.

Here's a look at the top 10 reasons why St. Louis -- a consensus national top 10 team -- should win again Friday.

The legacy

Pop quiz: How do you beat a team that has won the final game of the season for the last 15 years? Answer: You don't.

When the Red Raiders line up against the Crusaders, they won't be challenging just the 108 players and 30 coaches on the St. Louis roster. They'll face a decade-and-a-half-old legacy. It is a tradition as old as about 20 of Kahuku's 96 players.

Head-to-head history

The only time Kahuku has ever beaten St. Louis was in 1959, the year Hawaii entered the union as the 50th state, and Fidel Castro took over Cuba. Kahuku has lost to St. Louis in six Prep Bowls or state championships.

Depth

Putting a game out of reach by the second quarter certainly has its advantages. When St. Louis' first string scores enough points, coach Cal Lee replaces most of it. As a result, second and third stringers get game experience that other backups on other teams don't get (granted, Kahuku is an exception). St. Louis' receivers are a great example of this. Twenty-two different players have caught a pass this year.

Defense

With all the hoopla over St. Louis' offense, the Crusader defense often gets overlooked. Last year's co-state defensive player of the year, linebacker Ikaika Curnan, and company have once again wreaked havoc on opposing offenses. In 14 games this season, St. Louis has given up 109 points, just over a touchdown a game. A late touchdown Friday by Waianae against backups ended a 19-quarter scoreless streak against the Crusader defense.

Offense

The Crusaders have averaged 50.6 points a game. They averaged 356.1 total rushing and passing yards a game during the Interscholastic League of Honolulu season.

Pesefea Fiaseu

This senior running back has gained 1,558 yards rushing and scored 28 TDs this season, in usually just half a game. This, despite losing four starting offensive linemen to graduation. And they were good linemen, too, with three now playing for NCAA Division I teams.

The third quarter

If the Red Raiders don't follow their 14 predecessors and are able to keep the game competitive at halftime, they'll have their hands full once out of the locker room. The Crusaders have outscored their opponents, 108-0, in the third quarter. That's a direct reflection of St. Louis' ability to make adjustments.

Two are better than one

St. Louis will likely continue alternating quarterbacks every play, because the coaches feel the offense works best with Bobby George and Kelika Higa sharing time. Time on the sideline helps them pick up defensive tendencies they otherwise would not.

Special teams

In Hawaii high school football, "The Wall" refers not to a classic Pink Floyd album, but to one of the most devastating weapons in St. Louis' armory -- the line of Crusader blockers on a punt return everyone knows about but hasn't found a way to stop. St. Louis prides its self on special teams. Kicker Ha'a Bento is solid, leading the ILH in extra points (34) and field goals (3).

Cal Lee

No coach -- and staff -- comes to a game better prepared.

---

Motivation is
on Kahuku’s side

The Red Raiders have waited
a year to play St. Louis again
after last year's loss

Legacy, history favor St. Louis

---

By Glen Higa
Special to the Star-Bulletin

Kahuku beating St. Louis is not a Mission Impossible -- but only if the Red Raiders do not self-destruct in the first quarter.

Talent-wise, Kahuku matches up decently with St. Louis. But the Red Raiders are susceptible to penalties and other mistakes. They don't have to be flawless on Friday, but they can't fall far behind early in the game.

Here are 10 good reasons why Kahuku has a shot at knocking off nationally ranked St. Louis.

Athletic Talent

The Red Raiders are deep with exceptional athletes, especially in the skill positions. Six players were selected by league coaches to the OIA Red All-Star first team, and 11 made second team and honorable mention.

Multiple Weapons

Inoke Funaki led the OIARed in touchdown passes. Mulivai Pula, A.J. Smith and Earvin Atuaia combined to rush for over 1,000 yards. Saia Hafoka led the league in receiving yards. Kahuku has scored 23 offensive touchdowns in the postseason.

Defense

Kahuku allowed nine points or less in seven games this season. The Red Raiders scored four defensive TDs in the playoffs and state championships, including two on interceptions by Bryson Au.

Playoff Experience

Friday night's game will be the sixth playoff contest in a row for the Red Raiders, compared to the third for St. Louis. Thirty current Kahuku players played in last year's championship game against the Crusaders.

Rest

Last week, Kahuku rested nine starters and gave extensive playing time to backups. The Crusaders played Waianae and Kamehameha, two of the state's most physical teams, in the past month.

Depth

Marcus Salanoa has rushed for 400 yards and four TDs in the five OIAplayoff and state tournament games. Ferron Fonoimoana replaced an ill Funaki at quarterback against Kaimuki and threw for three touchdown passes. Neither role player is expected to carry a huge load this week, but could make an impact.

Motivation

Kahuku has waited a year for this game after losing to St. Louis in the first Chevron State Football Championship final, 19-0. The Red Raiders will be playing for generations of Kahuku teams -- the North Shore school has beaten St. Louis once, in 1959. Also, Kahuku is representing the rest of the state in the unfamiliar role of underdog against a school that hasn't lost a Prep Bowl or state championship game since 1984.

Unpredictability

The Red Raiders will run any play at any time. The Crusaders' defense must be ready to defend the option, play-action pass or off-tackle run on any down-and-yardage situation -- not to mention fake punts and onside kicks regardless of the game situation.

Aaron Francisco

The OIA Red first team all-star defensive back anchors a secondary expected to be very busy Friday. Oh yeah, he's also scored on a punt return and caught two touchdown passes in the playoffs.

Chris Kemoeatu

If he's healthy, defensive tackle Kemoeatu is one of the best players in the state. After sitting out the first two games of the state tournament with a back ailment, Livai says he is at full speed. Kemoeatu will be a key player in trying to slow down the Crusader running game ... and don't be surprised to see him on the offensive line.