16-year ILH
streak on the line

St. Louis must beat
Kamehameha to keep
its title hopes alive

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By Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.com

The fighting Crusader has been the trademark of St. Louis athletics for decades. But if the school's football team can pull out another Interscholastic League of Honolulu championship this season, the Crusaders may adopt a new mascot.

"Hopefully we can get a rally monkey over here and do what the Anaheim Angels did a few weeks ago," St. Louis coach Delbert Tengan said. "We're kind of in the same situation as they were."

Just as the Angels found themselves backed into a corner numerous times in their dramatic run to the World Series title in October, the Crusaders face a do-or-die situation tomorrow in their ILH regular-season finale against nationally ranked Kamehameha.

For St. Louis (6-2, 5-1 ILH) to have a chance to win its 17th consecutive ILH championship, the Crusaders must beat Kamehameha (10-0, 6-0) tomorrow and force a playoff game next week for the title and the ILH's berth in the state tournament.

"It's been done before, so that gives us a little hope," Tengan said, alluding to Anaheim's wins in the sixth and seventh games of the World Series.

The St. Louis-Kamehameha showdown is the second game of tomorrow's ILH doubleheader at Aloha Stadium. Damien plays Pac-Five at 4:45 p.m. with the game between the Crusaders and Warriors to follow at about 7:30.

Kamehameha enters the game with a chance to wrap up its first ILH championship since 1979 thanks in large part to its 41-20 victory over St. Louis on Sept. 27.

St. Louis rebounded to win its next four games to remain in title contention and keep its hopes of extending the school's championship streak alive.

"I don't think the players feel any more pressure about trying to keep that streak going," Tengan said. "You play the game to win championships, whether it's the first or the 16th. I think that's motivation enough."

The Warriors turned the tables on the Crusaders in their first meeting by using big passing plays to break the game open. Kamehameha quarterback Caleb Spencer threw for 282 yards and four touchdowns and receiver Josh Vierra caught seven passes for 124 yards and three scores.

Spencer's availability for tomorrow's rematch is in question due to a shoulder injury he suffered two weeks ago. Kawai Akina stepped in to lead the Warriors to a 21-9 win over Punahou last Saturday.

"We have confidence in Kawai," Kamehameha coach Kanani Souza said. "If that's what we have available, we won't hesitate.

"We've been having really good practices. The kids have really focused and we're just trying to be as ready as we can possibly be. ... There's no reason to look any further ahead. We just need to focus on this one and let the chips fall where they may."

While Kamehameha has struggled with injuries lately, St. Louis got one of its main weapons back last week as receiver Jason Rivers returned to catch four passes for 75 yards against Pac-Five.

Shane Butcher recorded career highs in receptions (eight) and touchdowns (three) in the game while quarterback Bobby George threw for 301 yards and four scores.

But Tengan knows the Crusaders will face a hungry Kamehameha team tomorrow night.

"They're as close as they've been in a long time and I'm sure they can taste it," he said.

Political support: With St. Louis facing its most important test of the season, the Crusaders got an endorsement from Lieutenant Governor-elect Duke Aiona early Wednesday morning.

Aiona, Tengan's assistant coach with St. Louis' varsity basketball team, predicted a Crusader win as he and Linda Lingle celebrated their victory in the governor's race on election day.

"I told him, 'You stick to politics, don't go making promises over there about football. Don't stir up the Warriors, my job is hard enough as it is,' " Tengan said.

Despite the work involved in preparing to take office, Tengan said, Aiona will be with the team when basketball practice starts on Nov. 18.

"It'll definitely be an honor to be the boss of the lieutenant governor of Hawaii," Tengan said. "I'm happy for him and his family. He's been a great assistant for me for the past three years and I feel he'll be a great assistant for Gov. Lingle."

Kamehameha vs. St. Louis When: Tomorrow, 7:30 p.m. Where: Aloha Stadium At stake: ILH title and league's lone state tournament entry If St. Louis wins: A playoff game will decide title

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