[ HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ]
The football catch-phrase these days is "alignment and assignment." Seniors to play again
St. Louis keeps title hopes alive
By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comSt. Louis first-year head coach Delbert Tengan credited the synonyms for positioning and execution for the Crusaders' 14-13 victory over Kamehameha last night at Aloha Stadium.
While that was the base of St. Louis' win, some new wrinkles definitely helped the Crusaders' seniors avoid -- at least for one night -- ending their careers without a state title, which would make them the first St. Louis class since 1982 to graduate without a Prep Bowl or state title.
Three seniors made big plays out of their normal positions to help St. Louis extend its season and their own Interscholastic League of Honolulu and state title hopes.
>> Wide receiver Jason Rivers started many of his plays at slotback. The state sprint champ often got matched up with linebackers, and he finished with seven catches for 155 yards and a touchdown.
"We tried to move him around and see if we can get some prime matchups. He came up big tonight," Tengan said.
>> Linebacker Tualau Fale was in on a game-high 14 tackles, including four for loss. But his biggest stop was when he batted down a Kamehameha extra-point attempt that accounted for the difference in the score.
"It was something I've always dreamed of doing, to win a game with a block," Fale said. "I'm glad it paid off today."
>> Safety Timo Paepule contributed 10 tackles. He also carried the ball five times for 13 yards, including the go-ahead 1-yard touchdown with 2:19 left in the third quarter.
It was the first time Paepule ever played running back.
Kamehameha also made some moves to get its best athletes into the action, most notably using quarterback Caleb Spencer as a wide receiver. Spencer caught five passes for 49 yards from Kawai Akina.
The son of St. Louis legend Kaipo Spencer also rushed for a 1-yard touchdown and passed to Kahe Santos for another 1-yard score, with 6:17 left in the third quarter.
But then came Fale's block.
"They had a breakdown in their PAT protection and he came in and smothered it," Tengan said.
Fale said former St. Louis coach Cal Lee's presence as special teams coach the past six weeks has helped the Crusaders' kicking game.
"He's motivating us. His showing up at practice shows he loves us and that motivates us more," Fale said.
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