FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
Delbert Tengan has led the St. Louis Crusaders to their fourth straight state tournament in his first season as head coach.
Proven St. Louis tops Delbert Tengan sauntered into the Aloha Stadium hospitality room Sunday morning with body language indicative of someone who'd much rather be in bed.
tournament contenders
The Crusaders look
The first round
to reach a fourth straight
final against a balanced fieldBy Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.com
The St. Louis football coach's bleary eyes and raspy voice were the result of squeezing in just a couple of hours of sleep after the Crusaders' victory the night before to extend their season into the state tournament.
Tomorrow
At Aloha Stadium
Hawaii Prep vs. Castle, 5 p.m.
St. Louis vs. Farrington, 8 p.m.
At Vidinha Stadium, Kauai
Kailua vs. Waimea, 7:30 p.m.
At War Memorial Stadium, Maui
McKinley vs. Baldwin, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 29
SEMIFINALS
At Aloha Stadium
St. Louis/Farrington winner vs. Waimea/Kailua winner, 5 or 8 p.m.
Castle/Hawaii Prep winner vs. Baldwin/McKinley winner, 5 or 8 p.m.
Dec. 6
CHAMPIONSHIP
At Aloha Stadium
Semifinal winners, 7:30 p.m.
So although attending a press conference wasn't what his body preferred, Tengan was extremely grateful to be answering questions about his team another day.
"I'm just happy to be here talking to you," Tengan said as he discussed his team's chances with reporters.
St. Louis' 27-12 win over Kamehameha last Saturday gave the Crusaders their 17th consecutive Interscholastic League of Honolulu championship and a spot in the Chevron State Football Championship.
The state tournament opens tomorrow with four games on three islands.
Hawaii Prep plays Castle at 5 p.m. at Aloha Stadium. St. Louis takes on Farrington at 8.
Kailua travels to Kauai to face Waimea at Vidinha Stadium and Baldwin hosts McKinley at War Memorial Stadium on Maui. Both neighbor-island games start at 7:30 p.m.
The semifinals are set for Nov. 29 at Aloha Stadium. The state championship is Dec. 6.
St. Louis and Waimea are the only teams to have qualified for all four state tournaments since it began in 1999. HPA and McKinley are making their first appearances in the event.
Although the Crusaders, who have played in all three state championship finals, own a big edge in name recognition, this may be the most balanced field in the tournament's history.
"St. Louis is the proven program here and they've got the talent to be favored," McKinley coach David Tanuvasa said. "But you have Kailua next to them and a very surprising Castle team that can compete for anything. There's not one dominant team, but St. Louis would be the favorite because they're a proven program."
Castle won its first Oahu Interscholastic Association championship with an undersized team that can't practice offense and defense at the same time because most of the starters play both ways.
The Knights will face a mirror image in Hawaii Prep, which captured its first Big Island Interscholastic Federation crown since 1993.
It will not only be the first time Ka Makani have participated in the state tournament, but the first time most of the players have been on the Aloha Stadium field.
"Our kids are young and impressionable so, sure, it's a factor," HPA coach Tom Goodspeed said. "But it's the same size field, the goalposts are the same height, all the dimensions are the same."
Kailua and McKinley possess the bulk to overpower opponents and speed at the skill positions. Baldwin features one of the state's most explosive passing attacks and Waimea is simply a solid unit that won't hurt itself with mistakes.
Farrington finished fourth in the OIA playoffs, but ensured there will be a new state champion with its upset of Kahuku on Oct. 31. So as the Governors prepare for St. Louis, they know anything is possible.
"I think beating Kahuku this year helped with their confidence," Farrington coach Randall Okimoto said. "Knowing you can beat a good team helps us prepare for this week."
But the Governors will face a St. Louis squad that is peaking entering state tournament play.
The Crusaders lost to Kamehameha early in the season, but staved off elimination by ripping off six straight wins to earn the ILH's bid to the tournament.
"We're battle tested," Tengan said. "Our kids know what it's like to have their backs to the wall. We're in a nice rhythm, playing every week and it shows in our performance."
The tournament also amounts to a shot at redemption for the Crusaders after falling short the last two years.
"It's a great opportunity for these seniors to leave with a championship," Tengan said. "And we're going to let them know we're not going to let this slip through our hands by being complacent."
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State tournament
first-round match-upsHawaii Prep vs. Castle
RecordsHawaii Prep Ka Makani (Big Island champion): 8-3.
Castle Knights (OIA champion): 8-4
Where and when
Aloha Stadium, 5 p.m.
State tournament records
Hawaii Prep: first appearance.
Castle: 0-2 (2000, 2001).
Why to watch
Hawaii Prep is making its first state tournament appearance led by record-breaking running back Brad Lau. Castle won its first OIA championship with a gritty defense that emphasizes speed over size.
Outlook
Castle has lost both of its previous state tournament games, getting outscored 89-20 in those contests. But this is the first time the Knights enter the tournament coming off of a victory.
The Knights are still flying high after last week's 25-0 victory over Kailua in the OIA championship game, and hope the momentum will carry into tomorrow's game.
"It's a pleasant surprise that we've come to this point," Castle coach Nelson Maeda said. "No one expected us to be OIA champions so this has been a blessing, and we just want to take it as far as we can."
The matchup is a study in similarities as both teams make the most of undersized rosters and most of the starters play both ways.
"It's like playing our alter-ego and I don't know if that's good or bad," HPA coach Tom Goodspeed said.
One key factor will be how HPA adjusts from playing on its plush grass field in Kamuela to Aloha Stadium's Astroturf.
Hawaii Prep relied on its running game to win its first BIIF title since 1993. Lau broke the BIIF single-season rushing record with 1,810 yards on 266 carries. But Ka Makani likely haven't faced a defense as fast or aggressive as Castle's.
The Knights tend to give up their share of yards, but have shown an uncanny knack for making big plays when they need them most. Blaze Soares and Cory Daniel are tackling machines at linebacker.
The Castle offense has been steady if not spectacular. Jared Suzui is the Knights' go-to receiver, while running back Kawika Sebay is their primary rushing threat.
Quarterback Jacob Ramos tossed 10 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions this season.
HPA linebacker Mike Vitousek is the heart of the Ka Makani defense. Max Unger (6-foot-4, 270 pounds) anchors both the offensive and defensive lines.
Sounding off
Tom Goodspeed, HPA: "I'm really looking forward to seeing Brad Lau run on turf. We do have a couple of guys who do have some experience running on turf, but for the most part they don't know what they're getting themselves into."
Nelson Maeda, Castle: "(HPA has) been referred to as marines, just a well-conditioned unit that doesn't make many mistakes. ... We know we have our hands full, going into this game not knowing a whole lot about them."
St. Louis vs. Farrington
RecordsSt. Louis Crusaders (ILH Champion): 8-2
Farrington Governors (OIA fourth place): 6-6
Where and when
Aloha Stadium, 8 p.m.
State tournament records
St. Louis: 7-2 (1999, 2000, 2001).
Farrington: 0-1 (1999).
Why to watch
St. Louis won its 17th consecutive ILH title last week, but is looking for its first state crown since 1999. Farrington knocked off defending state champ Kahuku in the OIA playoffs and hopes to score another upset.
Outlook
A month ago it looked like Farrington's seniors might go their entire careers without experiencing postseason play. But a dramatic OIA playoff run has the Governors matched up with perrenial power St. Louis in the state tournament.
Farrington and St. Louis last met in the 1990 Prep Bowl, when Governors' coach Randall Okimoto was an All-State running back.
Farrington reached the state playoffs this season led by another quality back in junior Matt Bell, who rushed for 1,091 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Governors will also need strong performances from quarterback Royce Machado and receivers Dionte Nomaaea and Alvin Faumui to upset the Crusaders.
A young Farrington defense took its lumps early in the season, but has developed into a solid group under the direction of coordinator Albert Tufono.
St. Louis is on a six-game winning streak, outscoring its opponents 200-44 in that span.
Quarterback Bobby George threw for 1,770 yards and 15 touchdowns in the ILH and hasn't thrown an interception in his last 67 attempts. Shane Butcher is the Crusaders' leading pass catcher with 653 yards and 5 touchdowns and should face single coverage with All-State receiver Jason Rivers (35 receptions, 482 yards) drawing the attention of the Farrington secondary.
The Crusader defense will be without All-State lineman Tolifili Liufau, but Wilson Afoa actually led the team with 17 tackles for losses and four sacks.
Sounding off
Delbert Tengan, St. Louis: "The biggest thing we have to make sure we take care of this week is to not be satisfied with getting out of the league. There's a bigger goal ahead of us."
Randall Okimoto, Farrington: "When I reflect after the season maybe I'll say I didn't expect this, but you have to expect it. You have to set goals and we set high goals for our guys so they can achieve. That's what we do, that's what we try to teach the team to do."
Kailua vs. Waimea
RecordsKailua Surfriders (OIA runner-up): 9-2
Waimea Menehunes (Kauai champion): 7-1
Where and when
Vidinha Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
State tournament records
Kailua: 1-2 (1999, 2001).
Waimea: 2-3 (1999, 2000, 2001).
Why to watch
Waimea is hoping for a repeat of its 20-18 victory over Kailua in the 1999 state quarterfinals on Kauai. Kailua hopes its size and speed can negate Waimea's home-island advantage.
Outlook
The Kailua offense was the most explosive in the OIA this season. But the Surfriders are looking to redeem themselves after a subpar performance against Castle last week.
The Surfriders' passing game struggled in the rain, allowing Castle to focus on shutting down the run.
Still, the Surfriders have gamebreakers at every turn. Quarterback Ranson Kepa passed for 21 touchdowns, with receivers David Kaihenui and Brad Ching accounting for 16.
Running backs Nathan Leaver, Bronson Kamaka and Kealii Kalahiki run behind a mammoth offensive line that averages 304 pounds per man.
Waimea isn't as big nor as diverse as Kailua offensively, but the Menehunes feature one of state's top offensive weapons in running back Jordon Dizon.
Dizon (6-1, 210) set KIF records with 370 rushing yards in a game and 1,157 in the season.
His combination of speed and power also serves him well as a linebacker on defense where he and Gary Mata are the team's spiritual leaders.
"Everybody's going to have to step up to play," Waimea coach Jon Kobayashi said. "We're going to need a complete team effort. Offensively, defensively, special teams, even the guys on the sideline are going to have to be in this game."
Kailua will counter with a stubborn defensive front led by defensive end Vili Fonokalafi. The linebacker corps, led by Cody Texiera-Vickery, and secondary are built on speed.
Sounding off
Darren Johnson, Kailua: "The loss (to Castle) was hard to take. We regrouped them (Friday) night because it was important that we get them focused on what we have to do now. They're up to the task and they understand that we want to get into the final game."
Jon Kobayashi, Waimea: "The way Castle played (against Kailua) was an inspiration. They really played well on defense and they proved the little man can do the job against the big guys."
McKinley vs. Baldwin
RecordsMcKinley Tigers (OIA third place): 8-4
Baldwin Bears (Maui champion): 8-1
Where and when
War Memorial Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
State tournament records
McKinley: first appearance.
Baldwin: 1-1 (1999).
Why to watch
Baldwin shook up the run-dominated MIL by unveiling the state's top passing attack. McKinley can also throw the ball with the best and hopes to advance in its first state tournament appearance.
Outlook
Baldwin coach Chad Kauhaahaa installed a run-and-shoot offense this season and the Bears rewrote the MIL record books.
Quarterback Michael Donahoo set the single-season passing yardage mark with 2,028 yards. Akamu Aki shattered the MIL receiving record with 1,002 yards.
Kauhaahaa said the offense not only helped the Bears conquer the MIL, but should help them in state competition.
"McKinley's coming with a big, aggressive football team," he said. "If we tried going big on big against McKinley the odds are in their favor. So I think this gives us a better chance to win the football game."
Defensively, the Bears aren't huge but they get the job done. Defensive lineman Meade Tabata (5-7, 188) leads the team with seven sacks, while Koa Hewahewa and Henry Abad provide solid support at linebacker.
McKinley's defense should be accustomed to facing a pass-happy attack since the Tigers see one every day in practice.
McKinley quarterback Abel Werner is a savvy playmaker who can hurt opposing defenses both on the ground and through the air. His favorite target is senior receiver Isaiah Iaea, who caught 53 passes for 1,089 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The Tigers keep defenses honest with the bruising running of Michael Vasconcellos and shovel passes to slotback Joshua Bumanglag.
McKinley will also get an emotional boost with the return of offensive lineman Brandon Tatupu. The senior was taken off the field in an ambulance during the Tigers' loss to Castle on Oct. 5 and was diagnosed with a bruise to his spine.
Tatupu worked with trainers to stay in shape and lost 35 pounds while in rehab. Tatupu got the release from his doctor on Tuesday and will start at right guard tomorrow.
"He's done all he can to get back on the squad and help us in any way possible," McKinley coach David Tanuvasa said. "We're just fortunate we were able to extend the season so that he can come back and finish what he started.
"Everybody was excited, not so much about what he can do on the field, but him coming back just lifts everybody up pretty high."
Sounding off
David Tanuvasa, McKinley: "It's going to be a great challenge (going to Maui), but we're going to come out and be focused and try to block those guys out and play the game we need to play in order to win."
Chad Kauhaahaa, Baldwin: "We have to make sure we perform well and represent the MIL well in the state playoffs. We're not only representing Baldwin we're representing them also."
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