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Friday, December 1, 2000
The beat goes There's no controversy over the presidency of the St. Louis School student body.
on for Crusaders’
fullback
Fiaseu is one of the reasons
St. Louis will defend its title in
state championship game
Tonight's starting lineups
By Dave Reardon
Star-BulletinEverybody knows Pesefea Fiaseu Jr. is The Man.
And although he has the equipment and training to do so, Fiaseu isn't one to blow his own horn about his grades (3.6, in case you wondered).
He plays tuba in the band but Fiaseu has never performed at halftime of a football game.
"I've been asked," he said. "But Coach Cal (Lee) wasn't too excited about it."
The Crusaders' football coach probably could have relented during the Interscholastic League of Honolulu season, since his star running back spent most second halves on the sideline cheering on his backups.
CHEVRON STATE
FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPWho: Kahuku Red Raiders (12-2) vs. St. Louis Crusaders (14-0).
That could be different tonight.
Fiaseu's tough running and blocking may be needed all game as St. Louis tries to defend its state championship against Kahuku.
Last year, the Crusaders beat the Red Raiders, 19-0, as Fiaseu rushed for 156 yards and was named the game's Most Valuable Player.
"He's a great runner," Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai said. "He's hard to take down. Very powerful, makes good reads."
Fiaseu led the ILH this year with 1,154 yards and 20 touchdowns in 127 attempts. It could have been a lot more, but he was pulled out of nearly every game early because the nationally ranked Crusaders were way ahead.
"He probably could have shattered all the (rushing) records. But he never complained once. He's very supportive to the linemen and the other running backs. A total team guy," Lee said.
That's evident when you ask Fiaseu what he enjoys most about football. It's not knocking over defenders or scoring touchdowns, both of which he does often.
"I like seeing everyone have fun, seeing people you wouldn't think would be very good step it up and improve," he said.
He shrugs off his own achievements the same way the 5-foot-11, 220-pound senior sheds linebackers -- with natural ease.
Lee said people can talk all they want about St. Louis' passing attack, but Fiaseu is the key to the Crusaders' offense.
"Whenever there's a crunch and we need a big play, he's the guy we depend on to get the job done," Lee said. "He enjoys the challenge and makes the big plays that open up our passing game."
There's much speculation about Fiaseu moving on to play at the University of Hawaii, especially since the Warriors also operate out of the run-and-shoot and UH's top three running backs are seniors.
Lee said he thinks Fiaseu might be leaning toward Manoa, but Fiaseu let loose a tidbit sure to tantalize some Ducks.
"I'm going to make my choice based on education," he said. "How's Oregon? I heard they have a real good music program. That's what I want to major in."
For now, though, recruiting is at the back of the line.
"I try to leave things on the side for later that aren't important right now. Like, if it's time for school I do my schoolwork and don't think of anything else," said Fiaseu. "It's like our team prayer, 'Day by Day.' "
The starting lineups
Kahuku offense
81 WR Saia Hafoka 5-10 165 Sr. 72 LT Semisi Kauvaka 6-3 292 Sr. 60 LG Joseph Napeahi 6-2 185 So. 69 C Sioape Lautaha 6-0 260 Sr. 71 RG Henry Elu 6-1 240 Sr. 75 RT Kalavi Blanchard 6-3 260 Jr. 84 WR James Kammerer 6-1 170 Jr. 15 QB ‘Inoke Funaki 5-11 190 Jr. 28 SB Mulivai Pula 5-11 198 Jr. 45 FB A.J. Smith 6-0 245 Sr. 9 SB Marcus Salanoa 5-9 185 Sr. Kahuku defense
99 DE Jonathan Mapu 6-3 260 Jr. 68 DT Chris Kemoe‘atu 6-5 300 Sr. 70 DT Ray Manumaleuna 6-3 290 Sr. 94 DE Steven Kumai 6-2 220 Sr. 55 LB Semisi Livai 6-0 200 Sr. 51 LB Douglas Hiu 6-2 205 Sr. 43 LB Lopeti Lauaki 5-10 190 Sr. 1 CB Bryson Au 5-7 160 Sr. 24 FS Aaron Francisco 6-3 190 Sr. 21 SS Kurt Fonoimoana 5-11 165 Sr. 3 CB Alma Jean 5-10 165 Sr.
Kahuku specialists
16 PK Solomon Lee 5-8 140 Jr. 1 H Bryson Au 5-7 160 Sr. 1 P Bryson Au 5-7 160 Sr. 84 LS James Kammerer 6-1 170 Jr. 1 PR Bryson Au 5-7 160 Sr. 24 PR Aaron Francisco 6-3 190 Sr. 1 KR Bryson Au 5-7 160 Sr. 24 KR Aaron Francisco 6-3 190 Sr.
St. Louis offense
84 WR Sanoe Mokuahi 5-10 180 Sr. 79 C Keith Young 6-2 310 Sr. 63 G Gordon Miyashiro 5-9 260 Sr. 64 G Troy Esera 6-1 265 Jr. 66 T Ryan Shimabukuro 6-0 235 Sr. 70 T Kenneth Powell 5-9 225 Jr. 10 WR Daniel Inferrera 6-1 190 Sr. 11 QB Kelika Higa 6-1 165 Sr. 26 SB Ross Dickerson 5-11 170 Jr. 33 RB Pesefea Fiaseu 5-11 220 Sr. 18 SB Davin Nakasato 5-8 174 Sr.
St. Louis defense
40 DT Ikaika Noguchi 5-11 250 Jr. 42 DT John Siofele 5-11 234 Jr. 94 OLB Tolifili Liufau 6-2 260 So. 49 OLB Wilson Fatongia 6-0 230 Sr. 43 ILB Ikaika Curnan 6-0 230 Sr. 53 ILB Joe Lobendahn 6-0 205 Sr. 35 CB Frank Butcher 5-10 160 Sr. 28 CB Chad Adviento 5-10 165 Jr. 45 SAM T.J. Moe 6-0 215 Sr. 6 RV Ekewaka Ishikawa 5-9 165 Sr. 24 FS Timo Paepule 5-11 165 So.
St. Louis specialists
31 PK Ha‘a Bento 6-0 175 Sr. 4 H Kaeo Adams 5-7 160 Sr. 31 P Ha‘a Bento 6-0 175 Sr. 41 LS Lane Shiroma 5-9 170 Jr. 22 PR Gino Gosiaco 5-6 140 Sr. 80 PR Kainoa Fernandez 5-10 160 Jr. 10 KR Daniel Inferrera 6-1 190 Sr. 9 KR Daniel Rodrigues 5-10 160 Jr.
