Despite suffering its first loss in more than three years, the Saint Louis Crusaders added another top-15 finish in the nation to its resume.
The four-time defending Open Division state champions finished No. 14 in the final MaxPreps Xcellent 25, dropping seven spots after losing 35-19 to St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.) in the GEICO State Champions Bowl Series on Saturday in Las Vegas.
In the final USA Today Super 25, the Crusaders dropped just two spots to No. 8.
St. Thomas Aquinas, which finished 15-0 for its first undefeated season since 2010, finished the year ranked No. 2 by USA Today and No. 3 by MaxPreps.
St. John Bosco (Calif.), which beat Mililani 42-10 in September, finished No. 1 in both national rankings. Mater Dei (Calif.) finished No. 2 in MaxPreps and No. 3 in USA Today.
Quarterback Jayden de Laura, who on Sunday was named the Honolulu Star-Advertiser offensive player of the year, threw for 273 yards and accounted for three touchdowns in the loss.
De laura became the 17th quarterback on Oahu to throw for 6,000 yards in a career, but just the fourth to do it in two seasons (Taulia Tagovailoa, PJ Minaya, Jarin Morikawa).
He also wrapped up a senior season in which he threw for 3,725 yards and 31 touchdowns with 11 picks. Only Timmy Chang, Tagovailoa, Minaya and Dillon Gabriel have thrown for more in a season.
For an entire look at the passing record book, click here.
WHAAAT? Still in the top 15? I guess talent shows and counts even when you do lose. Gotta love it.
Nice, Iron sharpens Iron now go play your regular season in the mainland against equal competition instead of picking on the anemic OIA teams and then tell us to “work harder” after you pound us.
STL is like a longboarder that comes out to alamoana bowls with shortboarders and catches all the waves like a wave hog…just because you can dont mean you should.
So you saying high school kids should travel thousands of miles 4-6 times or more per season. Go ahead and start that gofundme page.
STL tuition is $15k a year, these parents cant cough up another $3k to send their kid on a 3 week trip and play 3 games? ..then come home and play in the ILH for 4 games? ILH winner advance to the prep bowl against the OIA winner.
Parents pay for an ILH education/athletics because they want the best for their kid, playing on the mainland allows for more exposure. duh!
OIA teams dont need to travel to the mainland because parity exist in the OIA.
There goes all those haters of Saint Louis, jab,jab,jab, but, Saint Louis is still the best in Hawaii Nei, no matter what you say, the win streak still continues in Hawaii, hahahahahahaha, 5 peat in the making.
STL need to get in the weight room and stop playing those cupcakes in Hawaii. Bcuz STA barely won there state title game here in FLA against unnationally ranked Edgewater out of Orlando FLA.
We play a different brand of football here in Florida. You got to have a speed and strong running along with a passing game we play balanced fast power football here in Florida and STL they are too one dimensional there to pass happy to compete with Florida teams. STA just wore STL down as the game went on. STA is one of Florida’s best teams though. But we have tons of talented teams here in Florida.
It’s impossible for a Florida team to win 38 games in a row playing a Florida schedule all the Florida big dogs will be coming at you. Because the competition and talent here is so rich. Our teams are so well coached fast and skilled so you just have to pick your poison.
@ilh: Still not keeping it humble in defeat. I like that. At least you not tucking your tail. Its gonna be much tougher next year. Good luck cuz u going need it next year. RR4L
Well go surf on the east, west, or north shore for parity with other shortboarders. Gas round trip is $15. You cannot cough up another $10 for meal? duh! BTW. OIA teams are not anemic.
Wait, we talking surfing now. Cuz hands down North Shore got this one.
I told my friend STA will win by over 15 against STL. How is Lakeland Florida #94 with a RB that had over 200 yards rushing against STA as a jr. and Orlando Edgewater #49 and took STA down to the wire 23-28 loss. STA has good RB’s average by Florida standards. Edgewater RB’s would have a field day and the RB for Miami Columbus and Lakeland would have over 300 yards rushing against
STL. STL has no running game and couldn’t beat these Florida teams Miami Columbus, Miami Central,Miami Washington, Edgewater, Lakeland, Seffner,Jones, Apopka and Dr. Phillips all public schools. But then again the Lakeland 5 star RB and the Edgewater 5 star DB wouldn’t even make Honorable Mention all state here in Hawaii if Maxpreps or HPW voted.
@SEC..Agree with what you’re saying. The same argument could be made for Teams from Texas and California. Not to sure how the rankings are put together,but none the less Congrats to the Crusaders for a Successful season.
Actually, when you think about it, STL has done well to carry the flag of the 808, considering that the population in Hawaii is about 1.24 million. It’s all about numbers, whether you’re talking Florida, Texas, Georgia, or any other stronghold. The larger the population the more you have to pick from. When considering the sport of football across the board, there is no stronger section in the country then the CIF-Southern Section. 565 schools spread out over the six counties, constituting the largest concentrated population in the country, making up 13 divisions of 11 man and 2 divisions of 6 and 8 man. The kingpin of this section is the Trinity league, top to bottom, the strongest league in the country. it ain’t even close. And yes they all recruit, just like STL. That is today’s HS football scenario. It all depends on how STL wants to play it. they can tap into playing on the road at Trinity league schools, or at Gorman in Las Vegas, or Florida against the IMG’s and Aquinas. The choice is theirs.
Saint louis can play all Mainland teams, will you pay for all the expenses, you idiots
@ FLORIDA FTBALL during the game I heard commentary that STA shutout seven teams in Florida and for STL to score on them say’s something. I guess every state has to separate the wheat from the chaff in high school football exspecially at the national level HeHe!!!:)
Merry Christmas too all. I love reading all the posts. One thing we can all agree on is the passion and love we share for Hawaii high school football. When 15,000 + fans can come out to watch a prep Bowl/championship it says a lot about our state. One thing I disagree with is everyone who suggests they know what would happen if this team played that team. Until they actually face each other it’s just opinions. In my opinion, the best Saint Louis, Kahuku, punahou, mililani, etc teams of the past could hang with anyone.
@ilh December 24, 2019 9:09 am
Saint louis can play all Mainland teams, will you pay for all the expenses, you idiots
Here you go @ilh:
STL tuition $17,500
STL players 94
Total dollar amount from players tuitions$1,645,000.
With that Much money you can easily schedule 2-3 mainland games with a lot $ left over! You can easily make a travel squad because there were 65 players just standing on the sideline twiddling their thumbs in Vegas.
I won’t call you an Idiot like you do everybody; but PLEASE stop making excuses for STL.
P.S. Mater Dei, De La Salle & Bosco would love a home & home series with STL. Try Ask???
???, you are an idiot, all that money you talking about is not only for the football team, there is a lot of other expenses for the school, just think about it, where did your education come from, i hope not from the OIA.
@ILH
What’s with the name calling? You act like the money I mentioned is the total for the whole school?
“DUH” there are over 630 students in grades 5-12;
Do your math! times that by the $17,500 tuition, that’s $11,025,000.
I’m not even including kindergarten through 4th grade “Your Highest EJAMACATION”!
Continue your excuses, I’ll be here ALL year!!
Each school has operational expenses. Here are just some of the expenses.
-staff
-upgrade and maintenance of facility
-utilities
-property tax
-resources (books, technology, etc)
The money from tuition barely is allocated to sports. It goes to other things first. No Hawaii school can afford playing 3-4 games on the mainland unless sponsors or donors are going to get involved.
#21 thank you, ????? don’t know where your education came from, go sleep now and see hear from you next August.
CRUSADERS STILL THE TEAM TO BEAT IN HAWAII.
@ILH
Tell the State something we Don’t know?
You recruit the best, you suppose to be the best!
DUH, WTF, SMH, LMAO…
@???, ILH rules stipulates that any ILH Coach cannot make first contact with a player or a family member. In the past, a coach from Punahou and Damien have broken rules in baseball and basketball respectively. Each coach had to sit out a few regular season games for breaking ILH rules.
After the parent applies their child to a ILH school, the coach and/or school representative (AD, teachers, etc) my contact the parent.
Can you give any specific examples of which players at Saint Louis have been recruited.
Saint Louis is achieving great things in football. They are bringing notoriety to our state. Coaches from colleges are recruiting kids from Saint Louis and other schools.
Accusing them of recruiting and potentially breaking ILH rules is a major allegation. I am not saying they are or they are not. But if it is so prevalent, you should be able to give a specific example.
Who got recruited? Who made first contact? What are the terms of this recruiting agreement?
It’s hard to believe anyone with no evidence. Please share some with us. I am sure a lot of football fans would love to read about it.
Thank you.
@Really
You are obviously just another Typical STL fan/alumni etc… you are quick to point the finger at Punahou & Damien for “Breaking Rules” but are AFRAID to look in the mirror. LMAO…
You and @ILH should come off of Kalaepohaku and live in the REAL world instead of trying to write like you are knowledgeable about ILH rules.
Just quit because you have no Idea what goes on!!
@???
Not all of the players pay full tuition.
@ MiliLouis
We All know that; I just post that for the “In Denial”
STL fans that claim they don’t Recruit, give Scholarships and or Financial Aid. Lol…
Like @Really, @ILH, @Hammer, @Recruited not Rooted, etc… these people act like every football player pays FULL tuition, if every kid had to pay Full tuition STL would be SHUT DOWN like St Francis. “FACTS”
Why so hostile. I asked you to name one specific case of rule breaking or a kid getting recruited.
Instead of providing one, you instead choose to insult.
I always thought when making a point, evidence strengthens are argument.
Instead of trying to strengthen your argument you instead get upset. May I ask why?
And for the record I am not a Saint Louis fan. I am a proud Punahou graduate. But in writing, I try to be transparent.
So once again, may I ask why you chose to insult instead of offering proof?
Isn’t the goal to inform and educate?
Or you just here to insult and vent? It seems you have a bone to pick with Saint Louis. May I ask why?
It’s an unfortunate day when someone has to insult kids and families and a school.
@ ???, you keep making accusations and assumptions.
But you offer not one case of it being done. If it’s so common, may I ask why you can’t name a single kid who got recruited.
Just name one and provide evidence. Are you able to?
I have never insulted a kid or a family. Unlike you, trying to make me mention a specific kid by name. Lol..
You, A Punahou graduate? Definitely not. If so You might want to get your money back; they definitely failed you!
Cal Lee admitted to recruiting on HPW, nuff said.
Where? I don’t need to insult. Anyone with an academic mind can see that you diminish the accomplishment of the kids with your accusations.
You get angry and aggressive. And why? I would bet jealous my and envy.
Buddy it’s only a game.
And why I should get my money back from Punahou? Is that actually an insult? You are neither clever or original with that feeble attempt at an insult.
It’s very sad that you have so much hate or disdain for kids playing a game.
I still have yet to see a specific case. Interesting that after several posts and numerous hours passing you still are unable to come up with one.
Please insult me again. You’re very predictable.
The one thing we all know if you will reply and you won’t be able to bring anything specific about any kid being recruited.
Lol. Can’t wait till next Hawaii HS football season to start. Cheeeeehuuuuuuu.
I know this is a football thread, But I don’t see an soccer thread on here. I have a daughter on Waialua soccer team. And they have just forfeited their 3rd game of the season for what they said “lack of healthy players”. You have girls going to practice daily and they have to take the hit and can’t play. The games that they forfeited was againts Mililani, Kapolei, and now Campbell. But they dont forfeit againts the Waianae’s, Nanakuli’s and Leilehua’s. And they have the same girls. That’s why Waialua is always behind the 8 ball. They have some talent here, But the principal and AD holds them back. You don’t see the Radfords, Nanakuli’s, Waianae’s forfeiting games againts the big dogs on soccer. So shame Waialua girls soccer program!! From the Principal, to the AD, to the coaches……
So just for clarification, if an alumni of a school, not a coach, goes up to a kid and says “have you ever thought of going to Iolani. Is that recruiting??
Or if that person asks a parent the same question and offers assistance in applying, is that recruiting??
Can Kamehameha ever be guilty for recruiting??
Genuinely curious.
Wailua-
What Division is the soccer team in??
Waialua is in D1 but in soccer they play all teams . D1 & D2 in the regular season.
Unity =strength….Hope to see y’all sometime, some where next year STL against any Florida team. Come and get some more. But yeah STL scored. CLAPPING MY HANDS. GREAT JOB. BUT here in Florida we stay Ready for a challenge…
SEC…
That’s so true but I could name at least 8 more Florida teams that will wax STL. But there’s no need. Bcuz we all have our own opinions. Lack of running game, lack of discipline, speed, size, and physicality. But STL are a pretty solid football team in all. Especially for Hawaii football big props.
Season’s done. Get on with your lives!
So now the excuse is Florida has a bigger population? Duhh.. So is that why they won. But when a Hawaii team beat a weak Cali or a Nevada team. Nobody don’t hear nothing about population etc…STA Isn’t the best team Florida have to offer. We can send other team out there next year out West to smash whoever y’all got next year.
What would happen if Crusaders had a full and healthy team on the 9th island?
The other catholic team coaches just ran to the opposite side of blue chipper (blocked punt, TFL, etc) and that other side was missing one of the highly recruited student athlete in the nation. Not to mention the number of starters that were feeling ill.
Hawai’i athletes are in demand….. that is why for see coaches from SEC, ACC, PAC 12, and other conferences at games and camps in Hawai’i. Furthermore, just look at the number of Polynesian starting in D-1 programs, not just football.
Hawai’i No Ka Oi!
@Florida Ftball
Eh, keep your comments on your own Florida Mickey Mouse thread.
Lucky Botelho never go, he would have “wax” (is this a popular Florida term?) all your players off the field…….lol
(43)MiNiMouthLouis
Yuck…now you want to claim that injury bug or player eligibility excuse. Yeah right chicken shid. St. Thomas wasn’t full strength either and during the end of the football season no team usually have all there key players. So you can take bullsht and shub it up your you no what homie. You just got to have that next man up attitude if you’re going to beat the big dogs. And I am not going no where no time soon coming all the way from Florida chump. Next…
@MiniMouthLouis
(43)
Yes Florida enjoyed watching one of our Top 10 teams wax St. Louis behind all over that field. No excuses about a ineligible player or injuries. St Thomas didn’t have all there ballers either. It’s all about next man up and go kick butt no matter who don’t play. That’s our mentality. So kick rocks cheerleader. Lmao….