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Saint Louis pushes around
Pac-Five in win
It's hard to overcome five turnovers, especially when you're a Division II team playing against Hawaii's most decorated football program.
No. 2 Saint Louis' 44-0 victory over Pac-Five at Aloha Stadium last night underscores the reason behind the Interscholastic League of Honolulu's divisional split between the big boys and the small guys.
"We were prepared, but we played with fear, because it's Saint Louis, you know," said Wolfpack senior Maika McWayne, who had his team's only sack. "We made mental errors."
The Crusaders (5-1, 3-0) scored with ease throughout and took advantage of those five turnovers. Chester Wilson's interception set up Stanley Nihipali's 35-yard touchdown pass to Shaun Kauleinamoku for a 14-0 first-quarter lead.
Jacob Barit's fumble recovery and Christopher Brannum's interception also led to scores for Saint Louis, while Wilson returned his second interception of the night 26 yards for another touchdown. The Crusaders' defense also added two points when Nuipitane Nahalea blocked a punt and the ball rolled out of the end zone for a safety.
Shane Cavanaugh, Jared Silva and William Greig also contributed heavily to the defensive effort. Cavanaugh intercepted a pass and Greig had a sack, while Silva made a tackle for loss.
Wilson, a senior linebacker, was thrilled about the second TD of his career.
"I also scored when I was a sophomore with a fumble recovery," said Wilson.
Wilson addressed the outlook for the rest of the season as the 18-time defending league champion Crusaders try to climb all the way back to overcome a season-opening 37-17 loss to state Division I defending champion Kahuku.
"I think we'll go far," he said. "We go hard and don't let up."
Nihipali threw three touchdown passes, including two to Shaun Kauleinamoku.
The Crusaders play Iolani next week, while the Wolfpack (3-3-1, 0-2-1) look to rebound against Damien.
"We've got to start playing as a team," McWayne said.
