They ended the 2015 season against each other in a state final and began the 2016 season on a quest to meet again.
Saturday night at Aloha Stadium, we do it again as the rivalry between Kahuku and Saint Louis continues with the inaugural Open Division state football championship on the line.
Live updates will follow below.
No. 2 Saint Louis 30, No. 1 Kahuku 14
Saint Louis (10-1) wins its fourth state football title and ends Kahuku’s 24-game winning streak against Hawaii teams.
FOURTH QUARTER
Crusaders force another turnover.
Dylan Silva breaks off a 43-yard TD run. Ball game.
Fourth-and-1 and DL Darcy Freitas comes flying in for a sack. After the play is over, Freitas is called for shoving the quarterback’s head into the ground, but the 15 yards isn’t enough for a first down and Saint Louis takes over.
Saint Louis ball on the 20. Second-and-2 and Tagovailoa tries to leap over Kaniho. Ball comes out but he clearly hit the ground before fumbling. Third-and-1. Tagovailoa tries to scramble on a pass call but is marked short. Fourth-and-1. Saint Louis calls timeout with 6:16 left to think about it. Ball is own its own 29. Crusaders go for it. Tagovailoa lines up in the shotgun, comes up to fake an audible, takes the snap under center and runs left, breaks a tackle and picks up 28 yards to the Kahuku 43. Play of the game so far. First down. Crusaders call timeout second-and-8 at the 41 with 5:25 to go. Young on the reception for 11 tough yards to the 30. First down. QB draw and Tagovailoa finds a hole and he’s GONE. 30-yard TD run. Touchdown Saint Louis with 4:44 to go. Delay of game on the extra point try though. This is a huge kick. From 25 yards out. Kaniho tries to time the snap and jump over the line but is offsides. Try now from the 4-yard line. Kaniho tries it again and moves early again. Extra point is good. Two-possession game with 4:44 remaining. 23-14.
Vakapuna with a huge kick return all the way to the Saint Louis 35. Roughly 52 yards on the return. Direct snap to Brown goes for 31 yards to the 4, but a flag down. Holding on Kahuku. Ah-Hoy in the game on offense and his first carry goes for 7 yards. Timeout Saint Louis as Kahuku has first-and-10 on the 24 with 11:11 to go. Ah-Hoy runs for 2 and pays the price at the end as he takes a big shot from Toilolo. Ah-Hoy gets 2 more and it’s third-and-6. Vakapuna breaks through a hole up the middle for 8 big yards and a first down. Vakapuna for 2 to the 10. Tuitele with another tackle but Ah-Hoy gets to the 5. Third-and-3. Ah-Hoy spins his way to the 2 and they give him the first down. First-and-goal at the 2. Ah-Hoy about to go in the end zone and he FUMBLES. Isaiah Tufaga recovers for Saint Louis in the end zone. Stunning turn of events.
Crusaders third-and-6 at the 18 but a false start moves them back 5. Tagovailoa overthrows a receiver. Fourth down. This would be about 40 yards again. Tobias is GOOD with his third field goal in four tries and Saint Louis leads Kahuku, 16-14, 11:50, Q4.
THIRD QUARTER
Punt takes a Kahuku bounce and Saint Louis will start from its 23. Tagovailoa has an open receiver down the left hash but his bullet is overthrown. Had a chance to be a big play, maybe six. Instead it’s third-and-3 at the 30. False start on Saint Louis first. Third-and-8 and Tagovailoa hits Kekahuna-Kalawe for 13 yards and a first down. Just a ridiculous deep ball to Panoke for 40 yards. Saint Louis threatening again. Big third-and-7 play coming up.
Third-and-2 and Vakapuna is stopped by Sandry to force a punt.
Possible bad injury on the field as Saint Louis LB Noa Purcell is down. He is able to get off the field with help from his teammates, but that’s two starting linebackers out for the Crusaders. Purcell bleeding from above and below right eye according to our Christian Shimabuku.
Saint Louis has had three trips inside the Kahuku 20 and come up with only six points on two field goals.
INJURY UPDATE: Slade-Matautia has his left arm in a sling and is done for tonight.
Crusaders start on their 48. Designed QB draw for Tagovailoa picks up 15 to the 26. Ah-Hoy breaks up Tagovailoa’s pass over the middle. Tobias will try a third field goal, this time from 35. NO. OFFSIDES on Kahuku. First down Saint Louis to the 13. NO! They call it on Saint Louis. Had me fooled. Tobias misses from 40 yards wide left. Kahuku holds again.
Kahuku ball on its 20. Kahuku’s VaaiVaka Fale called for a false start and then a personal foul. Timeout Kahuku. Red Raiders facing a third-and-9 at its 21 after two runs. Maiava’s second pass attempt of the game is broken up by Sandry, Kahuku will punt.
Saint Louis will receive. First play is a 9-yard pass from Tagovailoa to Oasay. Dylan Silva‘s first carry results in a first down after a gain of 3. Tagovailoa with a bullet to Makoa Close for 9 yards to set up third-and-1. Austin Tuisano gains 7 as quite a hole opened on the left side of the Crusaders’ OL. Perfect ball on the out route to Young picks up a first down into Kahuku territory. Tagovailoa scrambles for 12 yards and he plows over a defender at the end of the run. Tagovailoa’s pass is high off a receiver’s hands and Kesi Ah-Hoy comes up with the INT. Refs are mulling it over and they call it an INT. First INT of Tagovailoa for the Red Raiders.
Haka No. 2 by the Kahuku faithful as we close halftime while the Kahuku football team gathers at midfield.
HALFTIME STATS
Tagovailoa 6-10, 127 yards, TD; nine carries, 42 yards
Panoke 2 receptions, 61 yards, TD
Brown 13 carries, 110 yards, TD
Vakapuna 8 carries, 55 yards, TD
Kahuku 30 rushes, 182 yards
Total yards: Kahuku 182, Saint Louis 177
Faatui Tuitele (STL), 7 tackles, 1 sack
Isaac Slade-Matautia (STL), 6 tackles
Miki Ah You (Kah), 4 tackles
Sioeli Naupoto (Kah), 4 tackles
SECOND QUARTER
Saint Louis content go to the locker room down one. HALFTIME. Catch your breath, everyone.
Kahuku starts on its 38 and Maiava picks up 9 to the 47. Nice run by Vakapuna wiped out by a holding call. Vakapuna comes back the other way and picks up 33 yards to the Saint Louis 25 with 1:48 remaining. Brown with another big hole and he runs for 13 yards and is marked out at the 7. 1:13 now on the clock. Harmon Brown 7-yard TD run. Third lead change of first half as Kahuku back in front 14-13 with 1:08 to go.
Sekope Latu switched field position with a nice punt. Saint Louis now third-and-9 on its 16. Incomplete. Just the second incomplete pass thrown by Tagovailoa tonight. First punt for Saint Louis after going FG-FG-TD on first three drives.
Kahuku TE Pua Falemalu is injured on a play while Saint Louis LB Isaac Slade-Matautia was spotted heading to the locker room with a trainer. Kahuku goes three-and-out after a 42-yard kickoff return by Stokes Nihipali-Botelho, who had one man to beat and was tripped up.
BREAKING: Tagoaviloa is Hawaii’s all-time passing king
Crusaders have a nice run back on the kickoff called back by a penalty. Saint Louis will start on its 23. Tagovailoa hits Chandler Washington-Villanueva for 25 yards to the 48. TAGOVAILOA BREAKS TIMMY CHANG’S ALL-TIME CAREER PASSING RECORD with a 52-yard TD strike to Jonah Panoke. 13-7, 5:36.
Crusaders fumble the punt and Kahuku recovers on the Saint Louis 47. Third-and-3 on the 40. Direct snap to Vakapuna goes for 2 yards. LB Dylan Toilolo on the tackle. Vakapuna looks like he got a good spot though and they will measure. Nope. First down. No measure. Vakapuna gets to the outside for 8 yards to set up third-and-1 at the 28 of Saint Louis. Brown with the direct snap and he picks up 5 yards for a first down. Kahuku going to its jumbo formation. Brown gets inside the 5 but flags fly. Brown’s run counts as both fouls (targeting, personal foul) on Saint Louis. Elvis Vakapuna with a 1-yard TD run. Kahuku takes first lead, 7-6. 5:57.
Browns for 7 yards on the first carry but Kahuku then moves early. Steven Lombard stuffed on third down for 1 yard and Kahuku is three-and-out.
Crusaders will start second-and-7 on the Kahuku 8. LB Sioeli Naupoto gets the Red Raiders’ first sack to set up third-and-9 at the 10. Tagovailoa hit as he threw and the ball is just wide of the outstretched hands of Young. Vimahi on the hit. Jacob Tobias hits a 27-yard field goal. 6-0, 11:08.
FIRST QUARTER
Saint Louis ball on its 49. Tagovailoa with a deep ball and an easy pass interference call on Stokes Nihipali-Botelho. That will be 15. Tagovailoa scrambles for a yard, he has 26 rushing yards on five carries. Tagovailoa dances for 12 yards to the Kahuku 23. First rushing attempt for Tosh Kekahuna-Kalawe picks up 3. Jonah Panoke with a 9-yard reception to the 11. First down.
Kahuku starts on its 20. Slade-Matautia back in the game but he can barely move his left arm as Harmon Brown picks up 26 yards on first run. Another 12 on the ground for Brown. Elvis Vakapuna gets his first carry for 3 yards. Maiava picks up 3 on direct snap to set up third-and-4. Faatui Tuitele in on the stop for Saint Louis’ DL. Kefu carries Tuitele just short of the marker. It will be fourth-and-inches. Kahuku will go. False start on the Red Raiders. Huge penalty. Kahuku goes for it on fourth-and-6 at the Crusaders’ 38. Maiava drops back and is SACKED by who else, Faatui Tuitele. Crusaders take over.
Saint Louis will start on its 35. Senior Tua Tagovailoa at QB for the Crusaders. First pass is complete to Ronson Young for 7 yards. Tagovailoa breaks contain and has a big gainer, but he fumbles. Tua jumps on it for a pickup of 18 yards. Crusaders call timeout. Tagovailoa has Young down the seam for a 28-yard pass. Ball comes out but he’s whistled down at the 12. Tagovailoa 2-2, 35 yards. Tagovailoa to Young again for 6 yards to the 6. Tagovailoa scrambles for 5 yards to the 1. First-and-goal. Aliki Vimahi stuffs Tagovailoa for no gain. Tagovailoa scrambles out and throws high but flag on the play. Saint Louis called for a hold. Crusaders on the 15 and Tagovailoa has Leelan Oasay open over the middle but the throw is low. Kesi Ah-Hoy sniffs out the QB draw on third down for a gain of 2. Jacob Tobias hits a 30-yard field goal. First time Kahuku has trailed to a Hawaii team this season. 3-0, 5:14
Touchback. Kahuku will start on the 20. Freshman Sol-Jay Maiava at QB. John Paul Kefu gets the first handoff and picks up 5 yards. Kefu gets 2 more as LB Isaac Slade-Matautia gets there first for the tackle. Third-and-3. Injury timeout first for Slade-Matautia. Kefu stopped for a gain of 1. DB Rick Sandry got their first for the stop. Kahuku three-and-out.
Kahuku will receive. Here we go. Kahuku fans did the haka. Saint Louis answered by screaming as loud as possible. Game on.
TEAM CAPTAINS
Saint Louis: Michael Minihan
Kahuku: Kekaula Kaniho, Kesi Ah-Hoy, Vili Fisiiahi, Aliki Vimahi
**************
Kahuku (11-1) has won 24 straight games against Hawaii opposition. Saint Louis (9-1) has won 24 of its last 28 games.
This will mark the final game for five-star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who has committed to Alabama and will enroll in January. Tagovailoa needs 87 yards to pass Timmy Chang as the state’s all-time career passing leader.
To get you ready for the game, here is our coverage leading up to Saturday night.
• Game Day: Kahuku vs. Saint Louis (via Staradvertiser.com)
• Kahuku, Saint Louis ready for rematch (via Staradvertiser.com)
• Kahuku fans ready to put on show
• VIDEO: Cal Lee, Vavae Tata preview game
• Chang recalls young Tua saying he will break record
• Kahuku’s Maiava could be first freshman QB to win state title
• What happens when No. 1 plays No. 2
• Rivalry renewed: Kahuku vs. Saint Louis
• Kahuku, Saint Louis alone on the big stage
• Favorites, science and family: Kekaula Kaniho
HISTORY: Saint Louis leads the series 11-7 in the Prep Bowl and state championship eras, but Kahuku has won seven of the last nine meetings and the last five games in a state final.
What does Kahuku have in store for everyone with its pregame haka? Can Kaniho continue his pick-six run? Can Tagovailoa solve the best defense in the state? We’ll find out beginning around 7 p.m. tonight.
Kahuku should be the favorite. Not only has the defense stepped up, but the offense has improved 300% from last year’s Smashmouth. The best offensive player from the 2015 championship game is on DEFENSE. Imagine that. Maiava,Brown,Vakapuna,Lombard,Kefu,Falemalu,Tonga can hurt you on offense. Hey even Ah Hoy, Kaniho and Bothelho Nihipali-Botelho may come in on offense if needed. On Defense, not as fast as last year, but powerful. Dbs, all high fb IQ. St.Louis really needs a running game and not just Tua. Sure they looked at game tape (Kahuku has a bunch on OC16) as oppose to 1 for St.L. inside screens,short stuff for StL. Should be a good game.
it rained lastyear and looking like rain again, probably an extra 2000 casual fans will stay home if the rain continues
I thought they said was going be clear sky’s tonight I guess anything’s possible!!!:) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yblB87dpJGc
Lets Go Big Red!! Be watching here in Oregon.
How do you get to watch the game on the mainland ?
Is it true Kahuku is not allowed to perform the hala tonight?
Red Raiders Varsity got two ultimate no mercy smash mouth assignments and that’s (1) take Tua down and out and (2) score on every drive; Shiiih, for the BIG RED fans it’s Haka mania no matter; bottom line: Kahuku Red Raiders still Hawaii’s 2015 football defending champions until proven otherwise yet no way that’s not going to happen whereas this year BIG RED VARSITY is better then Hawaii’s best; RR4LE
Good luck Big Red! Aloha from Ohio, hope somebody stream da game! Hint
LOCAL LINE:
Kahuku -13.5
Ironic that the picture is of Botehello and Tagaivoloa. Didnt he pick him twice last year?
Good luck.
Anybody thinking da Haka not happening just watch to stands!!
Cheeeeeehuuuuuuu!!
Preseason is pau! On to da main event!
REPEAT!!
RRFL!!
@Manley; you right about Kahuku being the favorite like impressive improvement before and after and their final numbers just proved it after each game this season whereas todays final championship game is like NO CONTEST against Number #2 St Louis but after tonight game Coach Lee can sleep soundly not thinking about Sol-Jay speed?.
.
Looks like money speaks. St.Louis fans are watching the game for $39.95. So am I,lol.
@ Unko Alvin; just think razzle dazzle Sol-Jay will be back next 2017 football season along with the rest of the upgraded turbo energy inspired now Junior Varsity; new experienced transferees from junior varsity will be in their first year as varsity and like anyone else learning their new assignment comes with repetitious rebuilding along with practice, practice, yet still Important with keeping sound academic eligibility; eh can do with Coach Tata and staff guidance like why not whereas Coach Tata proved it his first year coaching at Kahuku;
Let the game begin; Make us all proud BIG RED VARSITY like us at home or away. RR4L63
Kahuku sticking to the run, they will and CAN run on STL D.
Congrats Tua on breaking Chang’s record. Smashmouth always works. Great game.
Night night kahuku restore order make hawaii great again
Gonna be a long quiet ride back to the north and calm on the message boards…well besides all the ILH sympathizers.
Congrats crusaders well deserved win.. Aloha RRFL
Good job St. Louis! You wanted it more tonight!! Congrats
NO EXCUSES!
Congrats to St Louis! State champs! You won fair and square.
Great game!
Great seasons to both teams!
No matter what…RRFL.
Have a great year everybody. Until next season.
Great game by Tua. Freshman blues. Good win Saints. I know Tata will stay for the second place trophy.
Congrats St. Louis, great win. No excuses, they came to bang and they did. Good job to Tua, going to love watching you play for Bama. Good job to our boys, hold your head up high, your still our Red Raiders.
Once again, congrats out to Coach Cal Lee and the Saint Louis Crusaders, 2016 Open Champions.
Hopefully no crybaby comments tonight,both teams played like champs tonight,somebody had to lose,unfortunately it was us.Congrats Crusaders,always proud of BigRed no matter the outcome.Hold your head up high boys.To the posters,please show some class,win like a champ,lose with class
Don’t throw gatorade on Coach Lee. He went through enough.
Congrats to the Crusaders. Tua was special tonight. Back to work Big Red for next season.
Last week after Punahou lost, some very irresponsible and delusional posters claimed the ILH was overrated since the ILH #2 lost to the OIA #3. Well today, the ILH #1 beat the OIA #1. But I am not ignorant enough to say any league is overrated.
It is a little disheartening that some immature adults use these boards to insult kids who are playing hard. When you get to the playoffs may upsets can occur. It doesn’t mean that league is overrated or underrated. Sometimes certain teams want it more.
I think both leagues are solid. But it’s a little disturbing that the same posters who support Kahuku are often so offensive. The friends I have from this area have always shown be consideration, respect, and most of all are some of the most humble people around. Families like the Ah You’s, Heffernan’s, Liufau’s, Funaki’s, etc. When I read these things from people claiming to be from Kahuku I almost feel like it’s people pretending to be from Kahuku just to make them look bad.
Whatever it is, I know these people won’t stop. We should be supporting kids. I understand if we are talking about play calling, coaching decisions, or things done by adults. But calling teams overrated, calling leagues overrated, and being so immature is kind of embarrassing.
I would like to congratulate STL, and all of the kids who participated in Football this year. It is challenging to manage your academics and athletics.
Great game and congrats to Cal Lee and his Crusaders and for Coach Tata and Big Red Nation bitter sweet loss only a win for experience and so drive home safely Red Raiders Nation like it’s all over until next season and for the Big Red Varsity, win or lose mahalo for making us proud. RR4L63.
although disappointed I’m happy Tua went out a champion! The kid deserves it! Good luck at Alabama Braddah! Hope to see you playing on Saturdays!
What a year of football!
Saints left no doubt tonight! Koa trophy coming back to Kalaepohaku!
Way to go pride & Perfection. Congrats kalaepohaku!!!
Even though i was a strong supporter of Kahuku, you have to give it to that genius coaching of Cal Lee. Remember at the beginning of the season, he said ILH teams do not play well against physical running teams and such was the case of St. Louis in last yr’s title game so Cal, besides preparing for the spread offenses in the ILH, was also preparing for a tough physical running team like St. Louis and sure enough, they qualified and made it to the title game was was certainly more than well-prepared for Kahuku. Tata was simply outcoached and could not make the adjustments as Bishop Gorman found that out and took it to Kahuku and the same for St. Louis as Kahuku really is one dimensional and relies on superior physicality in beating their opponents but Cal Lee is a master technician and knew exactly how to prepare and make adjustments and was more than ready for Kahuku every which way…..Kahuku was simply outcoached…nothing more and nothing less.
Mean how all the guys like 88 and all his fake names went disappear. Hey if u gonna talk crap all year then keep talkin even after u lose. Kahuku is solid. And for the past 10 years have the most winning program. One loss doesn’t make them any better or worse in my eyes. I’m just saying keep talking crap even when u lose. 88 has been crying all year long. Well cuz, keep crying. If u gonna cry, then cry all day long. We miss da cryin. No one has talked more crap den dis guy. And now where is he? Boyz I see on other posts that sole replies in seconds. Now where is he.
And before 88 like call me one other guy, Jerry try look at my info and let everyone know I’m not one otha guy. Congrats to both teams u guys was solid!
I just wanna know where all the crap talkers wen go?
Congratulations to all the State Champions – St Louis, Mililani & Lahainaluna!
Crystal ball: Lee retires and goes out on top and Vae Tata becomes the next head man at STL..
Proud of our boys.. We can accept defeat and move on.. It’s gonna be an awesome rivalry in the near future.. Let this loss drive you to succeed for all you future Red raiders.
congrats stlouis we lost but our fans was unreal, not our night tonight but our boys are the best
@ILH & LeeBoy congratulations on your team winning the State Championship. It was fun talking shet with you two all year and look forward to doing it again next year bradahs.
@88izDAfool shut the fuk up! Only now when the crusaders win you like come on here and post. Grow some balls and talk from the beginning not just waite and hope you win than all of a sudden you have a pair.
Soak this defeat up RedRaiders. Now they know what it’s like to win and we know what it’s like to lose. Sleep tonight get up tomorrow and start training for 2017.
First and goal and Kahuku fumbles
Congrats Brotherhood on a great game and the State Title. Till we meet again.
The Kahuku fans has to be the best in the nation, strong following and passionate. The videos circulating online is crazy.
Best Cheer- Kahuku
Best Haka – Kahuku
Best Community pride- Kahuku
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! Fa Miki
Aaaahhh SSHHuuddUP
btw refs was unreal
Wow. Can’t believe you slammin on our freshman qb. He’s got 3 more years to mature and grow into the position, so cut the kid some slack.
Big Red just ran into a buzz saw tonight, similar to what happened when they lost to Kamehameha awhile back. We can’t win them all.
Congratulations again to the Crusaders.
Always proud of our North Shore Boiz!
RRFL!!
So, dat guy in the poster on the left side kinda got exposed, no? Burnt all night long (das what happens when you play the #1 qb and with quality receivers). His one and only good play whole game he shoud’ve got flagged 15 yds for spiking the ball smh
NO blame Soljay. Braddah plays behind one clueless OC who probably gets his plays from the Ask Madden menu lol
But, yes he should just go STL or PUN already so he can play for coaches who know what the hell they doing.
So St.Lou and Pun Coaches didn’t know what they were doing last year but this year they finally figured it out? C’mon bro. the kids win games and tonight the kids from St. Louis won.
aok since u talkin smack about stokes lets talk some fact. lastyear stokes owned tua, this year tua owned stokes. but both years tua has proven to be fumbilites n interceptilitus just like all the stl qbs yeah even the titan n especially the one whos record he broke. those r facts. football season is over so now we wish all the hawaii kids luck on their futures but cant wait till next year to start the smack talk again. iwould like to think that us posters here on this forum started up all the heated “social media” frenzy making the games that much more exciting bcause so much hatred in the air but u kno its all just a show. rr4l.
88 brah u da biggest wannabe. U talk all big but buy the sound of it u neva eva play football. U cry on these blogs about seeding and one made up rankings. U like “oh Punahou is da clear #3” and then dry got spanked. All year long u wuz like “oh kahuku is the best” and then dey lose. U cry some more like the powers dat be was trying to screw kahuku when it played out dat they knew much more than u which is why they choose the teams and u hide behind 1 fake name u mama’s boy. Now go back into mommys basement and go do urself like we all know u do every night with 1 poster of the kahuku football team u mahu. Cuz u give kahuku one bad name. I bet u no even live kahuku u probably living in mommy’s basement in Waipahu u kahuku wannabe and can neva be. U know nothing about football. I guarantee u will be blogging next year and ruining it for everyone with ur whining and crying. And this has nothing to do with kahuku footballl. Dis only had to do with u tryna act all tuff. But u fuckin hide behind one fake name u fag. Sole, who acts hard behind one fake name on one computer? Brah u da biggest Mahu out there.
If Kahuku didn’t get rid of Hao I bet the game would be close. Braddah wanted to work on the offense and develop da skill guys. But Tata never wanted it that way. He wanted a playbook of 6 plays. 88 probably thinks the HHSAA had a conspiracy with Tara to screw over Kahuku. He’s whining to his mommy now.