Monarchs, Na Alii to
battle for state crown
Damien and Aiea lived up to their nicknames this season, but only one can be the ultimate "ruler" tomorrow night.
Will the Monarchs (5-5) be the pre-eminent football team in the state's new Division II or will Na Alii (9-2) be the first to control the as-yet-uncharted championship territory?
The inaugural First Hawaiian Bank state D-II title game starts at 5 p.m. at Aloha Stadium.
First Hawaiian Bank State
Football ChampionshipsDivision I
Championship
TomorrowSaint Louis (9-1) vs. Kahuku (13-0), at Aloha Stadium, 8 p.m.
Division II
Championship
TomorrowDamien (5-5) vs. Aiea (9-2), at Aloha Stadium, 5 p.m.
Players on both teams doubt the contest will turn out to be an offensive explosion.
"I think it will be a defensive game and the better defense will win," said Aiea center Sterling Ohia, who added that his offensive linemates are hoping to wear down some of Damien's key defensive players.
Monarchs strong safety Fehi Sevelo is one of those players Ohia and his buddies will be dealing with.
"One hundred percent I'm hoping it's a defensive game," Sevelo said. "I want our defense to be on the field and getting the ball for our offense. We'll also be thinking about making a habit of going in for four downs and out.
"I'm hoping Aiea brings their best game and shows us what they have."
Na Alii noseguard Justin Medeiros thinks it will boil down to who wants it more.
"Coach (Wendell Say) always reminds us how far we've come, and throughout the playoffs he was asking us if we wanted our season to end or not," Medeiros said. "This time, it's up to us to see if we can finish on top or not."
Aiea senior linebacker Chase See is happy that his last game is not an ordinary season-ending contest.
"We're pretty excited, going to the stadium and playing for the championship," he said. "We're pumped and ready. We don't want to make mistakes or dumb penalties, because those are the main things that will decide the game. We have a really good chance, but it's probably going to be real close."
Desire and confidence isn't lacking over at Damien, either, where the hungry Monarchs have never won any kind of title in nearly 40 years of football.
"We've tried to play mistake-free football and it's been working," free safety Kyle Meheula said. "We know it's going to be a tough game, but we're playing for pride and we want to represent our school the best way we can."
Na Alii's offense depends on the passing of Kali Kuia to Alden DeMello and Ben Ah Mook Sang to open the running game of Raymond Tauala and Lawrence Leovao.
Offensively, Damien likes to use the running of Ranson DeCosta to set up the passing of Tevita Williams to Andrew Canoy and others.
"We've got to stop their run," Aiea wide receiver Alden DeMello said. "If we do that, it's all over -- and our run defense is real good."
DeCosta has proven to be one of the best running backs in the state, and his success or lack thereof -- as DeMello indicates -- may determine the outcome.
Ah Mook Sang's ability to return punts and kickoffs and his overall big-play prowess may also prove to be a major factor.
Look for Damien to try to control the ball and the clock and, of course, rely on its defense, just as Aiea is expected to do.
"It's smart football and it works for us," Monarchs linebacker Brennan Dela Cruz said.
All of those great football qualities apply here -- intelligence, desire, togetherness, toughness -- and the promise of state Division II royalty awaits the winner.
