Crusaders in For one week, Delbert Tengan can't get any love in his own hometown.
Castle country
Several Saint Louis coaches
Castle's Lefiti the strong, silent type
live in Kaneohe, a town crazy for
the team they face in tomorrow's
state championship game
By Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.comThe Saint Louis football coach, as well as four of his assistants, live in or near Kaneohe, where Castle fever has blown through the community.
As the Crusaders (10-2) prepare to face the Knights (10-4) in the final of the Chevron State Football Championship at Aloha Stadium tomorrow night, even church can't provide a refuge from the storm of excitement the Knights have generated on the Windward side.
"The members were coming up to me and saying, 'We've been cheering for you all year, but we can't cheer for you this week,' " Tengan said.
After a 1-3 start this season, Castle has taken its supporters on a wild ride during a postseason trek that already includes an Oahu Interscholastic Association title and last week's triple-overtime victory over McKinley.
With each win, the maroon-clad contingent at Aloha Stadium has grown in numbers and decibel level, with the crescendo coming tomorrow night.
"The community takes great pride in what this team has accomplished," Castle coach Nelson Maeda said, "to see the team from their community defying the odds to have the kind of season we've had."
The Saint Louis coaching staff is well aware of what Castle's success has meant in Kaneohe. Tengan and assistants Vince Passas, Reid Hasegawa and Shawn Kalima live in the heart of Kaneohe, while Sam Downey resides in Kahaluu.
"We're right in the heart of Castle country," Tengan said. "Either we'll be able to walk around proud, or we're going to have a long year.
"I'm happy for the Kaneohe community," he added. "I can feel the excitement in Kaneohe. There's a definite buzz around town."
The buzz this week centers on whether Castle's speed and tenacity can carry the Knights past 17-time Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion Saint Louis.
The Knights have made a living of knocking off bigger opponents, but the Crusaders enter the game focused on reclaiming the crown they last won in 1999.
Saint Louis' seniors seek redemption after losing to Kahuku in the last two title games. The Crusaders have played with their backs against the wall since a loss to Kamehameha in mid-September, and persevered to give themselves another shot at the title.
"Everybody thought we were down the drain already," Saint Louis receiver Jason Rivers said. "We got back up and kept on fighting until the bell rang. This is just a new round and we just have to keep fighting until the bell rings."
Following is a look as the game's matchups.
Castle offense vs. Saint Louis defense: Castle won't strike fear into its opponents with statistics. What does worry Saint Louis coaches is the Knights' big-play potential and their knack for coming through in clutch situations.
"They do have the firepower and they do enough to get the job done," Tengan said. "I'm just hoping they don't explode this week and have a breakout game."
Castle quarterback Jacob Ramos has steadily grown into the team's leader on offense. The senior has thrown for 1,282 yards and 11 touchdowns and run for five scores. Last week, Ramos guided the Knights 42 yards in six plays and scored on a quarterback sneak with eight seconds left to force overtime against McKinley.
Receivers Jared Suzui and Ikaika Ho have combined for nine touchdown receptions this season.
The Knights need running back Kawika Sebay to provide steady production as they look to grind out first downs and keep the Saint Louis offense on the sideline. Sebay has gained 425 of his 662 yards in the postseason.
But for Castle to stay with Saint Louis, the Knights must do a better job of protecting the ball after turning it over six times last week. Castle fumbled nine times against McKinley and lost it on five occasions.
Saint Louis turned five of Waimea's eight turnovers into scores in a 51-0 win in last week's first semifinal game.
"(Saint Louis) is a team that preys on turnovers," Maeda said. "If we can play more disciplined ball it'll give us a chance.
"We can't just rely on our defense. (The offense) needs to move the chains and we need to put points on the board when we have the opportunity."
The Saint Louis defense has few weaknesses. Defensive end Wilson Afoa leads the team in tackles for loss with 21, including 6 1/2 sacks. Linebacker Tualau Fale has a team-high 79 tackles and defensive back Pase Fiaseu has intercepted five passes.
Saint Louis offense vs. Castle defense: Castle reached the championship game largely on the strength of its defense. The Knights' smallish defensive front opens lanes for their hyper-aggressive linebacker unit of Cory Daniel, Blaze Soares and Elde Agcaoili.
"They're as active as any defense we've faced all season long," Tengan said.
Castle's front seven rattled McKinley quarterback Abel Werner with a relentless attack last week, and the Knights need to get pressure on Saint Louis' Bobby George to contain the Crusaders' passing game.
George completed 60 percent of his throws for 2,104 yards and 18 touchdowns this season and has talented receivers in Rivers (646 yards, four TDs) and Shane Butcher (774 yards, seven TDs).
"We're going to have to change it up a lot," Maeda said. "If you let (George) just stand in the pocket, he'll pick you apart. You need to do something to keep him from getting comfortable."
Castle cornerback Ernesto Lopez has come up with several big plays during the playoffs. The senior returned an interception for a touchdown against Hawaii Prep in the state quarterfinals and picked off another last week in overtime to set up the winning score.
As explosive as Saint Louis' passing game may be, the Crusaders' rushing attack may be an even bigger key. Saint Louis' offensive line has picked up its play during the Crusaders' eight-game winning streak, leading the way for running backs B.J. Batts (908 yards, 14 TDs) and Justin Cabansag (805 yards, 11 TDs).
Special teams: Both teams have shown the ability to break big plays in the kicking game.
Saint Louis has returned two kicks for touchdowns this season. Castle's punt returners have scored in its last three games.
The Knights need a solid night out of their kicking game to win the field position battle. Saint Louis punter C.J. Santiago has kicked the ball just 16 times this season, but 10 have landed inside the opponent's 20.
Castle's Ethan Gonsalves and Saint Louis' Kaeo Adams are two of the state's top field goal kickers.
Coaching: Maeda and Tengan began their 25-year relationship during their high school days at Kailua.
Maeda's circuitous journey included stops at Kailua, the University of Hawaii and Saint Louis. He took over at Castle in 1997 and has consistently gotten the most out of teams that aren't as physically blessed as their opponents.
Tengan worked his way up the coaching ranks at Saint Louis for 14 years before taking over for Cal Lee as head coach this season and has maintained the Crusaders' level of excellence.
The coaches have remained friends throughout their journeys only to find themselves on opposite sidelines as they seek their first state championships.
"It's very ironic," Maeda said. "I don't think either of us thought that we would end up where we are now. It's unbelievable fate would bring both of us here. Things have just fallen into place."
Said Tengan: "I was pulling for him all year long, but when they say you have to watch what you wish for, that's definitely the case now. I know we're going to face a ballclub that's well-coached and disciplined and we've got our job cut out for us."
Who: St. Louis vs. Castle Chevron State Football Championship
When: Tomorrow, 7:35 p.m. Parking lot opens at 5 p.m. Turnstiles open at 6.
Where: Aloha Stadium
Tickets: $7 for adults, $5 for students (K-12). Available at Aloha Stadium ticket office.
TV: Two-day delay on OC 16, 8 p.m. Dec. 8. Replays on Dec. 9 and 10 at 7 p.m.
Radio: Live on K108, AM 1080. Pregame show starts at 7 p.m.
St. Louis leads series 5-0 Through the Years
1960: St. Louis 13, Castle 7
1961: St. Louis 27, Castle 0
1983: St. Louis 33, Castle 0
1986: St. Louis 27, Castle 3
2000: St. Louis 48, Castle 0 (State quarterfinals)
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