All systems were go for the Godzilla of all Hawaii high school programs on Saturday night.
The No. 1-seeded Kahuku Red Raiders were ready to play air-tight defense and classic, smashmouth football. The blueprint was well defined. Soggy field on a wet night at Aloha Stadium in the title game of the Open Division in the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Football State Championships. The moist conditions, in theory, would make things better for the state’s premier rushing team, a defending champion that had manhandled Saint Louis in the state final a year earlier, 39-14.
“We took them lightly,” Saint Louis linebacker Isaac Slade-Matautia recalled.
This time, the tables turned. Saint Louis took over with defense and a running game — yes, this Ron Lee-four wide-passing juggernaut of an offense — to rule the second half for a 30-14 victory. Alabama commit Tua Tagovailoa concluded his record-setting career as a three-year starter with an epic performance in the title tilt. Three field goals by Jacob Tobias, the touchback maker who hadn’t made a FG during 10 previous games, another huge difference maker. Offense alone, however, didn’t net the Crusaders a state crown in 2014 and ’15.
Defense made the difference, of course, in winning a state championship. It didn’t seem remotely realistic, though, moments into Saturday’s Open Division final. Ironically, or coincidentally, Slade-Matautia, one of the state’s top LBs, reinjured his left shoulder while making a tackle on the second play of the game. He reinjured the same shoulder that was dislocated earlier in the season.
“It popped out again,” the speedy senior said.
Saint Louis didn’t get rattled. In fact, Kahuku didn’t score in the first quarter. The wheels began to wobble by quarter two, however, when Kahuku gashers Harmon Brown and Elvis Vakapuna began to follow their battering-ram blockers out of the I, then the jumbo set, for chunks. Each had a TD run by the half, and Kahuku led 14-13.
Then, strangely, oddly, miraculously — for Saint Louis fans — two things happened that in all normal logic should have led to another state-title game loss.
1. Another stud linebacker, Noa Purcell, left the game with a head injury.
2. Saint Louis’ two main replacements for Purcell and Slade-Matautia, Braeden Meyer and Emmit Vaiese, played perhaps the best games of their careers. Meyer had four tackles and a fumble recovery, and Vaiese had a sack, one of three by the Crusaders. That Meyer and Vaiese played well isn’t illogical. That they did it against nationally-ranked Kahuku and help save a defensive unit that surrendered 39 points just one year earlier to the Red Raiders — who knew?
It took 11 defenders to stop that normally unstoppable Kahuku stampede — the Red Raiders were 24-0 against in-state competition entering the game — and though they bent, they shut Big Red out in the second half. Kahuku got as close as the 1-yard line, where Kesi Ah-Hoy lost the ball on a leap over the pile and Saint Louis (Isaiah Tufaga) recovered in the end zone.
“The key is we had to stay low,” said Vaiese, a 5-foot-11, 203-pound sophomore.
With that, a Kahuku offense that rushed for 182 yards (6 per carry) in the first half managed to run for just 76 in the second half. Kahuku’s second half drive chart: Punt, Punt, Fumble Lost, Turnover on Downs, Fumble.
Sophomore Faatui Tuitele, once a middle-school phenom, had perhaps the game of his young career: 11 tackles, a forced fumble and a sack. But beyond the first level, it was a superlative team effort: Rick Sandry (eight tackles, pass deflection), Branin Moore (seven tackles), Isaiah Feary (six).
The two remaining LBs to avoid game-ending injury were Dylan Toilolo, who finished with five tackles, and Feary — two athletes fast enough to play DB, strong enough to face Kahuku’s stampede.
“I had to help the younger guys out. They did good. They were doing their jobs out there. There was a lot of talking about assignments. Our coaches wanted us to communicate. Kahuku is so strong, so we really had to hold our ground,” Toilolo said. “We had to get leverage on them. My body is really sore right now.”
Slade-Matautia had six tackles, gutting it out as long as he could before trainers took him to the lockerroom.
“There was a lot of emotion. I told them, ‘Keep your heads in the game. It’s your time to step up.’ Our senior, Braeden Meyer, came in and he knew what to do,” Slade-Matautia said.
Purcell, who had a spectacular game in the semifinals against Waianae, finished with two tackles. Safety Tufaga (three), Isaiah Saole (two) and Kaha‘i Auld (two) made it a complete defensive force kind of night for the Crusaders.
Three years into The Return, Cal Lee and his stellar staff have the Crusaders holding the championship koa trophy for 2016. A defense that once lacked depth up front and struggled to stop the run turned into a giant slayer on Saturday night.
Lee has been a stickler and perfectionist week in and week out for three seasons. Even after big victories, he bemoaned the errors of his team, especially on defense. Not this time. He was all smiles as he hoisted the massive perpetual championship trophy.
“After last year, a lot of these kids were here, and they knew the feeling, what it meant. To do it tonight, it shows how much they worked out, all year long, boy. We played a little tougher, stout up front. You have to against those guys,” Lee said. “What a credit to the guys who stepped up. Losing those two veterans like that. We made some adjustments, and it all ended up well. We always talk about, you never know, the game is so physical, and when someone is injured or sick, everyone’s got to be ready to step up.”
After all these games, over weeks, months, years, Cal Lee praised his defense to the maximum. Drenched after a celebratory Gatorade shower, the Crusaders won in a way that a championship coach at any program would appreciate.
“It means so much to us. Coach Cal is always on our case, so this really means so much to us,” Toilolo said.
The melding of old school, with Lee, and a high-risk, high-reward approach of assistant coach Wes Tufaga — former Crusader championship player and former Kahuku JV coach — paid off nicely for Saint Louis.
“The defense was really comfortable with the packages that he put in,” Toilolo said. “We mixed it up a lot out there. A lot of blitzes and twists, stuff like that.”
Wait. I thought Kahuku RR4L people said that ILH and specifically Saint Louis can’t play defense and that their O-Line will crumble against the almighty kahuku pass rush?
Congratulations to St Louis, Tua is the man and as a team they were the better one for the night. We look forward to seeing you guys again next year so be ready because the Might mighty Red Raiders are coming back stronger than ever. Love our Red Raider nation and especially big mahalos to Coach Tata and company and more importantly the boys who did it all. Keep your heads up, stay healthy and get ready for the next challenge in your young lives. Go BIG RED. For LIFE
Congratulations to St Louis! Hats off. Especially when they stayed to receive the trophy. Last year they left without respect for the champions. Kahuku has class by staying and respecting the new champions. Way to go Kahuku!!
@Jeezy33 Funny you mention that… Haven’t seen a whole lot of RR4L comments on here.
I’m not a big STL fan but hats off to their defense coming in clutch when they needed too. Almost all the attention goes to Tua and their offense, but it was their defense that was the unsung hero of the season. Like Kahuku, STL’s defense lost a lot of talent to graduation, but somehow managed to piece together a defense that got the job done.
Kahuku played a great game. They always do, but maybe its time to realize that there is good football being played outside of the north shore.
Both teams played well. But it’s hard to win when you run a simple offense. They are minimal adjustments. They are one dimensional. I would like to see this coaching staff open up the offense. Is the goal to win high school games or make all of the players better? There seems to be less of an investment to improve the receivers and qb. I hope they implement more of a passing game in the future to make their offense more balanced.
Good job St Louis u guys came out on top and was the only team in Hawaii to beat us this past two season. Congrats to tua. But this ain’t the end of the red raider nation we coming back!! let this next year be another awesome year for all teams #rr4l
Guys gotto take it easy on Coach Lee the man is in his 70’s I think future wins a cup of ice water will do!!!:)
Tua won the game for st. Louis period. He was a one man team.
Yeah. I suppose tua also played defense by himself and held kahuku to 14 points and shut them out in the second half. I suppose tua also threw and caught the ball to himself and also blocked aggressive kahuku pass rushers. I guess tua also was playing receiver and getting open on probably the best secondary in the state.
yep. definitely not a combination of a talented team with great coaching and an elite qb. It’s definitly ONLY tua.
There was a clear difference in coaching IQ last night, the LEE brothers are in a class of their own. The OIA is good for playground activities but if you want your kids to reach world class levels in football send them to the slopes.
So your saying the ILH was good for playground activities last year and that the Lee Bro. football IQ got better this year? C’mon man….
I predicted this outcome. Coach Lee and company would just study film of the BG game and have a game plan to stop the run and force the pass. A few from Kahuku nation laughed at me and said that the OL would just crush SL’s defense and that DB University would stop Tua. Well skilled position players and great coaching prevailed again just like the BG game.
Red raider nation tears taste delicious right now
St. Louis won with a total team effort. There were so many players that stepped up big time. I think Kahuku has some amazing athletes and a lot of physical specimens. I thought Kahuku’s offense was very 1 dimensional. Hard to win a championship game with your qb only attempting 3 pass attempts.
I think that overall there is lots to be gained from this loss, from Kahuku’s perspective. Maybe it opened their eyes further in seeing what dynamic QB play can do when assisting a great run game. I think they saw that earlier this year when they changed OC and implemented a more conventional I formation offense and some pass concepts, but maybe this will push them to continue that evolution. The fact that they were still in the game even at the end with no completions by Maiava is a sign of just how high their ceiling might be
Notice how nobody bags on mililani fans when mililani loses, only kahuku. Could it be because kahuku fans on this blog are so arrogant and full of themselves and love to run their mouth and then get all butthurt when they lose?
HMMMMMMMMMM.
For example, take 88. he spends literally MONTHS talking crap about all other teams, especially ILH ones. Runs his mouth about HHSAA conspiracies, how nobody can match up with kahuku, starts flame wars with other people who post here, he just REEKS of arrogance. him and his boyfriends toomeke, anywaays, and simple simon (they might even all be the same person). Saying stuff like ILH is overrated because punahou lost to a good kapolei team. ILH plays flag football and can’t handle the physicality of kahuku. St louis has no defense and their o-line is soft. nobody has ever seen football until they see kahuku. etc.
and you know what, 88? that’s fine. run your mouth all you like. but when you fall off that high horse, don’t expect people to forget about how arrogant you were the whole time, running your mouth acting all big head while trashing other programs and volunteers and coaches who spend their lives trying to better high school sports and help the kids. And yes, that includes cal lee, who is one of the best coaches ever produced in the state of hawaii.
So eat your humble pie, 88. or keep whining and being in denial. either way, your tears and butthurt are entertaining to see.
Congrats to the Saint Louis Crusaders. ..As well as Our Boyz from the North Shore. ..Great job Coaches ..Thank you for an amazing ride…From the begining to the end. .Had a blast watching Our crazy fans…Looking forward to next season. …Enjoy the Holidays. .then it’s right back to work. …Big Love. ..
@ Jeezy, the blogger 88 has done all that? Really? If that is true then it is truly sad. I applaud all of the team, especially the ones who might not be the most talented. It is truly a human service when you show up to help mentor and coach teenagers knowing you don’t have the best talent but you want to help the kids have fun. I thank all of the adult who give up hours of their time often at the expense of their families to help kids do something positive. It’s unfortunate that there are people who insult others who take away from the real spirit of high school athletics. Hopefully these people will look inward and make some changes to help out the kids.
@Pun Alum 95 – 8 of their championships were from being 1 dimensional (mostly). Your argument is rubbish.
Coaching was a big factor in this. For some reason, Kahuku’s OC decided to steer away from what was working for them all season long. Even the defense changed it up, adding an extra safety. Not sure why all the changes but they should have stuck with what worked for them all year. They put a spy on Tua, which was the slowest spy in the history of spies lol jk. St Louis couldn’t stop Kahuku’s elephant package. Also on a 4th and 1, Kahuku decides to drop their QB back into shotgun… Really?
Anyways Kahuku lost to a great QB, that’s about it. You can’t really give that much credit to St Louis defense when Kahuku’s offensive play calling was suspect. Tua is the real deal!!!
THE FUKN REFFS WON THE GAME FOR YOU SCRUBS !!!!!!
Best Cheer- Kahuku
Best Haka – Kahuku
Best Community pride- Kahuku
Best Coach to turn around a hopeless football team- Vae Tata
2016 Champs- St Louieeeeeee
Sorry but it was shown how Sol Jay is not a Qb. Don’t give up on your dreams. At least you have a scholarship as an Athlete!
Oh and Stokes??? Exactly why he doesn’t have scholarship cause he is too slow and that’s why he got burnt all night. Sorry but when you play a weak schedule every week, you will get interceptions all night. Go JC route! Fa Miki!
DOMEZ- YOU A SCRUB AND A POS!!! Simple saimin you just don’t get it because you don’t know the game! It’s because of you BIG MOUTH fools that many on this forum WANT to see Kahuku lose. Most are happy to see them go down because of you and too meke, anyways…Believe me I was waiting for this day to rub it in your FN faces!!! I know you’re too ignorant to eat your words so I won’t bother to follow-up with you. When you learn the game and how to break-down a team to develop a game plan then you can talk about how great any team is. Until then stfu cuz you all don’t know footbal cuz if you did you would know that Kahuku didn’t have a chance with their one-dimensional offense and slow defense. St Louis Crusaders are the State Champions!!! Cal Lee and his staff are head over heals when it comes to creating a game plan to beat any team. You can blame whoever you want refs, coaches, cheer leaders, but the bottom line is that Kahuku could not match up with St Louis. Out coached + out played = lose. St Louis proved you wrong wrong wrong!!! Clowns!! btw DOMEZ – you and your cohorts really need to stop going to opposing schools with your horns blasting and flags flying – it’s so bush league and childish…
So many trolls on the board after the game haha typical!!.. Props to all the guys including ILH whos been loyal througout the year unlike the cowards who seem to have a voice after the game..
NoCry- Actually kahuku did have a chance if only Kesi Knew how to run the damn ball in instead of trying to dive the ball on FIRST and goal!!! guess he didnt learn from last years title game… anyway its in the pass the crusdaers are the state champs no excuses. Much respect to Tua you can bet the entire state including Big Red will be cheering you on at the next level.
Sorry in advance for the flags and noise its called support and with that comes success so expect that for next 10 plus years.
Pun Alum 95…
I don’t know if multi dimensional is good choice. Do you know how difficult it is to run a passing arsenal type offense? The receivers gots to be able to read and run the right routes all the while the QB gots to be able to do the same with his progression reads. I smell smoke coming out of the earholes. It’s best that they only run… that’ll do just fine for most Hawaii teams. I don’t think they have any desire to compete nationally. They probably happy with just State Champ. It’s not the kids fault… probably the school not instilling them to dream beyond the shorelines.
Ohreally – not a troll just a guy that reads the paper and has something to say like everybody else. Just gotta voice my displeasure at the Kahuku people on this forum that bashed ALL the other teams involved in the state championship and now they all want to turn it back on everyone else that waited patiently to rub it in the faces of the crap talkers. So yeah – take it and learn from it. If you cannot handle that’s your problem!! Support normally doesn’t involve trespassing on school grounds to intimidate your opponent…
I talk trash to you fans cause that’s what you do. You talk trash to each other about each others team. I never demeaned a school or a community I simply talked trash to YOU and only YOU. Now if you were so distraught by my trash talking and couldn’t waite for my team to lose so you can come on here and write a novel to rub in my face than 1. Your a dumb @$$ for letting my trash talk get to you and 2. Your a dumb @$$ for harboring all these ill feelings since Agust when football season started. This blog is strictly for entertainment purposes you dumb @$$. To judge a community or school by the post that are on this blog is ver dumb @$$ish of you. Dumb @$$!
Domez the idiot never watch the replay hahaha the refs helped kahuku out with the dropped interception by kehsi ahoy but called it a interception. The fumble by tua and ronson that the refs called down by contact were actually legit calls. Domez keep giving domez to the chronics in haaula beach park bathroom and check your shit before u have an excuse.
88 your crying is delicious u bridesmaid from ’87 hahaha
@ohhreally been on this forum since the open champioship was announced on this forum. Darren hernandes and cal lee react on new format. Thats when i torched all u kahuku small minded bastards that said cal lee was overrated. Shout out to the samoan stuntman! Your son played a good game but u still is a panzy ass country club sole. Bridesmaid
DOMEZ November 21, 2016 at 5:15 am
THE FUKN REFFS WON THE GAME FOR YOU SCRUBS !!!!!!
Take Note:
STL goes up 6 zero with the exception of a dropped TD.
RR gains field possession by a muffed punt than later scores.
RR offensively was dead on 3rd & long situations all game.
RR had a interception that was actually dropped while STL was deep in their territory.
RR fumbles on the goal line.
RR can’t stop STL on 4th & 1 with a chance to regain momentum.
So when you add up all the small sequences of events that happened in the game. The refs is more of an excuse rather than a factor. If you actually took notice that this so called nationally ranked team has no identity on offense & their defense was moving around like they were playing in quick sand than you might see the big picture are to why the game shouldn’t have been close. The whole RR secondary with the exception of #26 who should be playing fullback or LB are “cover corners” that are not physical. What defensive player is scared to step up & hit a Qb? Seems like when Tua was in the open field nobody wanted to hit him. This game was an example of how RR plays in a weak league & runs up numbers rather than getting in quality games.
Shout out to the RR fans though. At least they brought their game. The only thing they didn’t bring was their mascot. Wondering if he had the insides of RR falling short in the Championship.
Great way to end the season Kahuku fans. Talk all the trash on the forum while smashing D2 teams & D1 Divison teams but crap on yourselves when get to the Championship. The Vegas/Bishop Gorman trip was a waste, the national ranking was an example of what computer technology can do to boost teams that shouldn’t be recognized & most of all this state witnessed everything online, on television leading up to the Championship only to see the North Shore walls come crashing down.
@horsey- My crying is delicious? Dammmmmnnn i didnt know you swallow. But now that I do I’m going to be doing a shet load of crying. Open up
Prick- Was it a waste last year when the Crusaders and Mililani were ranked by these same computers or is it only a waste now?
88 November 21, 2016 at 12:11 pm
Prick- Was it a waste last year when the Crusaders and Mililani were ranked by these same computers or is it only a waste now?
Are you trying to compare two teams that were ranked last season lower than Kahuku losing to Kahuku & Mililani losing to St Louis?? How can it be a waste last season when the higher ranked teams prevailed? Or are you looking for something relevant to a lopsided underdog victory over a hyped out team all year?
Face it all the attention that Kahuku & their supporters drew to them made this victory way more sweeter. People are tired of the “Enemy Of The State” bullshit & the rest of the trash talk pushing its weight around.
All in all, it was a great game and hats off to both teams. Hands down, the best football game of the year and what a way to end the year, regardless of the outcome. I am always going to be biased toward my alma mater, but in the end, nothing can beat watching a well played game by two great teams. And when you have talent of this caliber on the field at the same time, something is going to give eventually and someone has to win and someone has to lose. Prayers for all the injured, and good luck to all the Seniors moving on to bigger and better things. For the underclassmen returning next year, do work and come back stronger! And let’s all remember, athletics is part of the journey, not the destination. It should be a vehicle to obtain greater things in life and not be the focus of life.
Aloha!
Prick go check your stats again before you post.
@88 u got it cuz. This outcome is pretty familiar for your brideamaid ass huh? I swear i seen u post on stokes nihipali article that u was class of ’87. I heard kahuku gave u one full ride to go there u was so good. Lol thats ealry years of the st. Louis dynasty run. 86-99? U was the original bridesmaid from kahuku cheeeee
@88 keep crying sexy ill eat your tears all the way til next year baby
88, you cry more than my 2 year old niece. It’s amazing. Talking trash about HHSAA, Carlton Chun, other teams, and other people here and then whine and cry and play the victim when it all comes crashing down on you. I see you don’t like the taste of humble pie!
Keep crying, 88. Let all the tears out before you go home.
“Horse cruelty November 21, 2016 at 3:50 pm
@88 u got it cuz. This outcome is pretty familiar for your brideamaid ass huh? I swear i seen u post on stokes nihipali article that u was class of ’87. I heard kahuku gave u one full ride to go there u was so good. Lol thats ealry years of the st. Louis dynasty run. 86-99? U was the original bridesmaid from kahuku cheeeee”
wow. if 88 is actually c/o ’87, that makes him about 47 years old. That would be REALLY sad if he was that old but talks all this crap on a blog comments section like he’s a 16 year old boy with a hard on for a football team he could never play for.
actually, 88, answer us this question before you resume crying: did you actually play football in your life at all for kahuku high school?
88 November 21, 2016 at 2:52 pm
Prick go check your stats again before you post.
What stats?? You’re throwing irrelevant stats at me that happened a year ago. Nobody cares what happened a year ago. Start accepting life & instead of living through these kids start actually living your own.. No tell me you was one of the thousand idiots at cheer rehearsal. I would be salty too if I was at a cheer rehearsal, going.live on Facebook on how the RR gonna smash STL than only to witness the RR shit on them self come showtime.
Simple Simon November 21, 2016 at 2:28 am
@Pun Alum 95 – 8 of their championships were from being 1 dimensional (mostly). Your argument is rubbish.
Sir, with the amount of talent and athletes that Kahuku has, an argument can be made that they would and could have far more titles if they implemented a passing game to make their offense more balanced. So I don’t feel it is rubbish at all.
Please treat me with the same respect that I am showing you. Thank you.
88 November 21, 2016 at 12:08 pm
@horsey- My crying is delicious? Dammmmmnnn i didnt know you swallow. But now that I do I’m going to be doing a shet load of crying. Open up
Sir what is wrong with you? There are teenagers probably reading this. We should all be role models instead of lowering our standards.
88 what u put in your tears??? I taste a hint of garlic hahahaha super tasty lol
Pun Alum 95 November 21, 2016 at 9:36 pm
88 November 21, 2016 at 12:08 pm
@horsey- My crying is delicious? Dammmmmnnn i didnt know you swallow. But now that I do I’m going to be doing a shet load of crying. Open up
Sir what is wrong with you? There are teenagers probably reading this. We should all be role models instead of lowering our standards.
——————————————-
@ Pun Alum, sorry we forgot to tell you that 88 has a “SICK” fascination with young boys. That is why he is not allowed to coach youth sports.
As you can tell he is sick in the head. He makes these “sexual innuendos” and is hoping that young men respond.
I for one thinks he needs help. Several weeks ago I listed some of the top doctors in Hawaii who could help him. I am guessing that Gaylord didn’t take my advice.
All you damned crybabies on both sides of the line, get the hell over it, the game is done. Move on! It’s pathetic that a sport has brought out the devil in a lot of people. You people are sick. Why can’t we all just rise up, accept what is or isn’t and just move forward?
To the CRUSADERS of ST. LOUIS…a big CONGRATS on your victory, especially to my nephew Isaiah Tufaga who played one hell of a game.
To the RED RAIDER of KAHUKU…my ALMA MATER…CONGRATS on a great and hard fought game. Learn, regroup and reload…next year is another year.
FOOTBALL is a game, it’s NOT LIFE!!!
GOD & FAMILY is LIFE!!!
Side note: Y U asses all hiding behind a FAKE NAME? Pricks & Bitches…no hide!!! And y’all need to grow the hell up!!!
Side Note:
How was rehearsal cheer practice?
How was the Haka?
How was the rain?
Did you shine yor cell phone light after the 3rd qtr?
What happened to the cheering in the 4th qtr?
How was the parade on Sunday?
Eh thanks lisa for your concern… reallly… but this is a free speech forum. If u cant handle the heat.. u know the rest lisa. Hope u helped scrub paint off the horses lol
Horse cruelty November 24, 2016 at 12:01 am
Eh thanks lisa for your concern… reallly… but this is a free speech forum. If u cant handle the heat.. u know the rest lisa. Hope u helped scrub paint off the horses lol
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Somebody apologize for Lisa. She only came here as a 5th screen name for one person. Poor Lisa won’t be back till the name is back in rotation. 88 is this you again?