Saint Louis’ title victory over Kahuku: crazy good

Saint Louis has won the last two Open Division state titles and have won five state championships overall. Photo by Dennis Oda/Star-Advertiser.

The appetizer was so very good that it seemed quite possible the main course would turn out bland.

But instead, the third game of Saturday’s tripleheader at Aloha Stadium was a crazy-good show-stopper for football connoisseurs and an incredible capper for Hawaii’s football-hungry fans, who got an extra-sweet treat in the first game of the day — Lahainaluna’s 75-69 seven-overtime win over Konawaena in the D-II championship game.

With a kickoff at 9:58 p.m. Saturday, and the final play happening on Sunday morning after 1 a.m., there probably weren’t many fans who went home sorely disappointed after the back-and-forth showdown finally landed in favor of No. 1 Saint Louis, which scored the winning touchdown with 37 ticks left on the clock in a 31-28 victory over No. 2 Kahuku.


When the Crusaders (10-0) took a 24-7 lead over the Red Raiders (11-2) on Isaiah Tufaga‘s 40-yard interception return with 5:30 to go in the third quarter, those who would rather be home under the covers may have been letting the idea of leaving Aloha Stadium enter their minds. That would have been a big blunder.

Like their tomahawk-chopping, white-towel waving, red-clad fans, Kahuku just doesn’t give up. Ever.

So, it was time to see just how deep they could dig inside and come up with a response.

First, quarterback Sol-Jay Maiava connected with Wes Alo-Maiva for a 23-yard touchdown to make it 24-14. Then, with 10:09 left, after a gutsy defensive stop, Kahuku cut the lead to 24-21 as fullback Toalei Lefau broke open in the end zone to catch an 8-yard Maiava pass.

On Saint Louis’ next possession, Kahuku’s defense delivered a stunning blow, when Saint Louis quarterback Chevan Cordeiro fumbled on a hit by Draeton Thompson and the ball popped up into the waiting arms of teammate Feso Malufau.

That amazing turn of events with 6:49 to go appeared to tip the scales in Kahuku’s favor just a bit, and it tipped a bit more 24 seconds later when Maiava unloaded a 59-yard TD strike to Kaonohi Kaniho down the right sideline for a 28-24 edge. The Crusaders’ Kai Kaneshiro appeared to have Kaniho covered, but the pass just got over his hands and into Kaniho’s.

The Crusaders marched and looked primed to score right away, but the Red Raiders’ Aaron Fonoimoana-Vaomu tipped a Cordeiro pass and the ball popped up (sound familiar?) into the waiting hands of teammate Nalu Emerson in the end zone with 2:35 left.

But that apparent knockout was a long way from the Saint Louis actually hitting the canvas for the 10 count.

Kahuku picked up a first down on a daring Maiava-to-Kaniho pass — with the wily veteran DB Tufaga in the area. Another daring play, a pitch to running back Enoch Nawahine, worked against the Red Raiders. He gained 4 yards, but went out of bounds, stopping the clock. When the Red Raiders failed to get another first down, they punted with 54 seconds to go and seemingly still in pretty good shape.

Not quite.

Saint Louis receiver Jonah Panoke made the game-winning 53-yard touchdown catch, pulling the ball from Kahuku defensive back Alex Fonoimoana-Vaomu with 37 seconds left in the Open Division state final on Saturday at Aloha Stadium. Photo by Steven Erler / Special to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

With 37 seconds left, Cordeiro saw a one-on-one matchup on the right side, threw it long and receiver Jonah Panoke went up to wrest the ball away from Kahuku’s Alex Fonoimoana-Vaomu, who then fell while Panoke went the rest of the way into the end zone to complete the 53-yard touchdown for what held up as the winning score.

Despite the lack of time, the Red Raiders still drove all the way to the Crusaders’ 30 with 2 seconds left. Maiava tried a long pass that bounced off the turf incomplete to end it.

“Chev just told me I’ve got to make a big play and we didn’t have a lot of time and I knew that this might be our only chance,” Panoke said. “So I knew I had to go out there and do my best. I knew it was coming to me. He kind of gave me that look. Receivers on both sides were doing streaks and he just took that shot. I knew I had to make a big play. This was my only chance, so I knew I had to just do it. It was difficult, but you just have to outwork everybody and you just have to have faith in everything you do. It feels amazing to end the season with another victory and another ring. Chev is a great quarterback. I’ve played with him since the second grade in Mighty Mites Pop Warner.”

Here is Cordeiro’s take on that game-winning TD: “The play was both X and Z receivers doing deep routes. I chose to go with Jonah because he was 1-on-1. I just threw it up and he made a great catch. It’s amazing. We worked hard this whole offseason and throughout the season for this moment. To come back and win against Kahuku, a great team — there’s nothing else we can ask for.


“To be honest, I was a little worried with such little time, but I had all my teammates and they all believed in me and I believed in them and we finished the job. Kahuku is amazing. Their D is good. Their offense is good. They brought their ‘A’ game and it was a really good game. I worried a little when they went ahead, too, but it wasn’t the first time we’ve been down. We just had to get back up and score.”

Coach Cal Lee and many on his staff headed for the North end zone to the bus not long after the victory that sewed up back-to-back championship seasons and gave the Crusaders two out of the last three with Kahuku as the opponent in the finale. Saint Louis won its fifth top-tier state championship to go along with the 14 Prep Bowls (the predecessor to the state tourney) its won. Lee has been a part of 17 of those titles as the head coach.

Lee responsed three times to a postgame text message early and then later Sunday morning.

“What a game,” was Lee’s answer, when asked for a one-sentence comment. Later, he wrote, “Reminds me of 1983. We came from behind to win.”

In that game 34 years ago, the Crusaders beat Nanakuli 15-12 for their first Prep Bowl crown.

Lee gave high praise to Cordeiro in his third text: “He never gave up and battled the adversity and made the biggest play when we needed it.”

Many on the Kahuku side took it hard, but not all. Coach Makoa Freitas‘ voice cracked a bit when he talked about the love he has for his team and the effort they put in.

“It was a close game, one of those things where someone has to win and someone has to lose,” Freitas said.

When asked about the loss on that Panoke 1-on-1 grab, he said, “That’s OK. We’ll live with that.

“I thought, as usual, our team came and played their hearts out. We won the OIA and upheld the legacy of that. Unfortunately, we couldn’t come away from this one with a win, but we’ll be back. I’m not going to second guess. The team played hard and I’m proud of them.”

Thorton Alapa hauled in a 5-yard TD pass from Sol-Jay Maiava on the first offensive play from scrimmage of the game by Kahuku. Dennis Oda / Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Maiava was as cool as a cucumber after the loss.

“I’m fine,” Maiava said. “It’s football. Gotta be a winner and gotta be a loser. I’m glad we didn’t lose by giving up and putting our heads down. We lost with our heads high and kept fighting. That’s how I like to lose. No one likes to lose, especially like that. We still want to win. But sometimes, you gotta be a loser. My teammates, they’re going to be all right. Football is just a game. Our fans are loving us still. I want to say thank you to them and my family for always supporting us.

Maiava gave props to Cordeiro, too.

“Chevan, he’s a great QB. I go up against my defense every day and the way he was scrambling and making plays on his feet, it shows a lot of heart in him.”


Aaron Fonoimoana-Vaomu, the linebacker who tipped the ball to Emerson on the play that nearly secured a win for Kahuku, talked about how the tables turned.

“From that moment, we thought we had them and that was the mistake we made because we weren’t humble,” he said. “I feel like if we were more humble, we would have made it. They played until the whistle was blown, so hat’s off to them. They’re a great team. I appreciate them. What a game. Win or lose, we’ve still got our fans. I just love them so much. That’s the spirit of Kahuku. It’s all one community.”

COMMENTS

  1. Hauula93 November 19, 2017 1:14 pm

    Great game by both teams… Congratulations St.Louis.. But I gotta give it up to Red Raiders.. you guys played a Hell of a game…
    Fact-St.Louis was double digits favorites.. Score was 31-28… Kahuku opened eyes last night in what’s to come next year and the following years…
    Fact-St.Louis presume to have the best offense in the states… St.Louis offense scored 24 point, Kahuku offense 28… Hmmmmmm… St.Louis offense hasn’t seen defense like Kahuku all year plus all sophomore in the secondary… hmmmmm…..
    Fact-St.Louis defense scored 7 points and Kahuku defense 0… so I’ll give you guys the best defense in the state even those kahuku scored 28 points….that the difference maker right there, but I got mad respect for kahuku defense 2ints and 2fumble recovery plus like said young secondary and we lose only 2linebacker and 2 d-line…. Next year Kahuku will be the best in the state….
    Fact- The refs played fair in my eyes… I seen bad call on both sides….
    Fact-St.Louis has all the bragging rights for the next year… Enjoy it… Kahuku will be there again and again…
    Fact- Best game all year…Toughest match by both team… No one seen this game to be this close.. so hats off to both teams… They ball out last night…
    Fact- Kahuku has the best fan base in the state… From sideline to sideline, all you see is red… In my eyes, other schools wish they had a fan base and community
    like kahuku…
    So I got no problem with the outcome of this game and would like to congratulate St.louis on there win and tell Kahuku helll of a game… I’ll see both teams in next year rematch…


  2. 2dahouse November 19, 2017 1:17 pm

    Are you sure ALL OIA teams ONLY have kids from their respective districts?
    I think the OIA calls recruiting district exceptions or is it just use my aunties address.
    Either way, just enjoy what the Hawaiii kids are doing (and moving on to the next level).
    Cheer for all the Hawaii kids.
    And refs being paid off? It may seem that way at times (at all levels), but really?
    Plus STL no can afford to pay the refs off, aren’t they still in debt?


  3. Weatside November 19, 2017 1:35 pm

    Big P I’m talking prep bowls. Ya I had a typo I give u that u non athletic prick who can only comment from the sidelines lol. I been there done that won it , contributed , been apart of it so ya shove this up ur Oreo. Bottom line crusaders 13-7 against the red raiders. Remember now 4 of the state championships kahuku won was was nail biters is the last seconds lol technically , I say honestly kahuku won 3 state championships with authority . I give I that much. Put it this way , with size kahuku has technically (men) they should be winning every year, but when they play against a school like St. Louis with speed and smarts , they get punched in the mouth . All red raiders do is run over small schools and walk into state tourney, inside week in week out they had to play kamehameha, St. Louis , punahou, mililani , Waianae etc. no way they be having these seasons and play one lucky game in the championship to win it . Eat that. Been there done that loser


  4. RR4LIFE living the lie November 19, 2017 1:38 pm

    TooMeke one of the classiest Kahuku fans here. Talks trash all season but knows how to lose with class. Take notes cause that’s what it’s all about. Guys like anywaaaays! Is just ignorant dummies who make their community look bad. Hats off to you TooMeke, you a winner in my book


  5. Don’t Troll November 19, 2017 1:57 pm

    Trolls will be trolls. Good game Crusaders! Great game Raiders!! All these trolls talking about north shore should stop being crybaby… where’s your nation? What??? Nobody supports your team like how we do ours?? It’s one thing to cry juice and have no evidence. It’s another when there are pictures and video clips of blatantly missed calls right in front of the refs.. we’ve got boys at St. Louis and are proud of their accomplishments as well. To try and troll a community that sacrifices everything for their young, YOU SIR, are a special kind of stupid!! Keep it classy and stop showing what a hater you are! When you learn to stop hating the family from the north shore… And yes we are all family … then maybe you won’t want to be so hateful… Damn the politics, damn the refs… I’m proud of both teams. #RR4L


  6. Westside November 19, 2017 2:01 pm

    When st louis lost the championship 2 years ago, did u see saint Louis fans crying , no, but kahuku cries a river and over flows lake Wilson . Every time it’s an excuse , suck it up , accept the lost and try harder to accomplish wat saint Louis did, , you may reach there but I probably will be dead.


  7. pahea808 November 19, 2017 2:05 pm

    @WestKae, YOU ARE DELUSIONAL!!! BWAHAHAHAHA.


  8. Too Meke 2 November 19, 2017 2:12 pm

    Hauula, do you know what a fact is?

    How can St Louis be double digit favorites? Who is providing these odds? Did Harrah’s put a line out for this game? I gamble a lot in Vegas and never saw a line. This is not a fact.

    St Louis has the best offense in the islands? That’s not a fact. That’s an opinion. Now many people might agree, but that’s an opinion.

    Best game of the year? Once again that’s an opinion. A mother watching her son play in a McKinley game might be the best to her. Once again this is an opinion. I agree with you, but it’s still an opinion.

    Kahuku has the best fans. That is also an opinion. I would agree with you. But that’s an opinion and only goes for people in the stands. If you include the posters on here from Kahuku, then I don’t agree with you since many of these people are crybabies, excuse makers, and immature.


  9. 808 November 19, 2017 2:30 pm

    What a great game, was there to the very end. Some folks on the St. Louis side actually started heading for the parking lot after Kahuku made that first down on last drive….they missed a helluava finish. Just worn out today by the rollercoaster of emotions and getting to bed at 2:30am this morning!! Pure joy on the StL side after that last TD, family, friends and strangers alike “high fiving” and hugging each other in celebration. The Brotherhood will have a great Turkey Day this year. My hats off to players and coaches on both sides. Played hard and said all the right things after the battle. Very impresssed with the Kahuku fans, they were out in full force and were definitely a factor. Even after that devastating finish, they stayed loud and proud and was in full support of their team. From the StL side, the sound and sight of the everyone in Red was impressive and probably very intimidating to the Crusaders on the field. Saints took all the blows and offense delivered in a big way. IMO this year’s team might be a better all around squad than last season’s. Congrats to both teams, it was a game for the ages.

    On a final note, to all the crybabies and excuse makers who claim to be Red Raider fans and also to all trollers and life’s losers who claim to be private school supporters (i.e., Education First/Too Meke 2)…grow up and take a cue from the players, coaches and mature fans. Conduct yourself with class and and quit the anonymous internet big man schtick. The kids act more like adults than you wannabe experts.


  10. Austin Chang November 19, 2017 2:56 pm

    Good game Kahuku, Congraluations St. Louis well deserved. Next year better be different
    I think the OIA needs to create a Open Division like Mililani or Kapolei and other teams that is very good in the OIA. Division 1 teams can be Castle or Damien and other island schools. I believe during the next season it would be Open, D1, D2. Not fair that Nanakuli always get a shout out against other teams that is good like Mililani or Kapolei. We need to balance the team out little bit.


  11. Too Meke 2 November 19, 2017 2:58 pm

    anywaaays why do you call out people for using multiple user names and Paul Honda has only proven that you are the ONLY one on here with multiple user names.

    Until another moderator such as Paul Honda, Nick Abramo, or others say others are using multiple names.

    1) you are a ridiculous hypocrite.
    2) you are an idiot
    3) you are from Waialua but want people to think you are from Kahuku

    Man you got exposed to many times. I believe Paul listed 5-6 different usernames that you use.

    That is big time loser if you ask me.


  12. Too Meke 2 November 19, 2017 3:04 pm

    808, are you anywaays? Must be son. You call me out. Show me where I’m crying fool?

    Yet anywaaays and his 10 other alter-egos are talking about Cal Lee is ruining football, the ILH has a conspiracy, and he’s comparing the officials to organized crime lord Larry Mehau.

    So you are okay with that? That’s tells me that 808 = anywaaays. Don’t need to come back with an excuse that you are not anywaaays.

    If you have an issue with any users on here but not that of anywaays with the things he does listed above, it can mean only one thing. You are both the same.

    It’s too obvious. At least be a little more creative 808 (anywaaays) when you try to pretend to be someone different.


  13. rrfl November 19, 2017 3:13 pm

    i think punahou and kamehameha need to step it up next season.


  14. Too Meke 2 November 19, 2017 3:16 pm

    @Dont troll.

    Sacrifice everything? Really? If they sacrifice so much how come the kids out there struggle academically? Kahuku is one of the lowest in the state of not the nation. Aren’t they their for school first and sports second?

    That comment is just dumb. There are numerous communities that support their kids as well if not better than Kahuku. Just cuz other communities take music or dance or the classroom more seriously than showing up for a football game, that doesn’t make your community better.

    The proof is what happens to the majority of kids who do graduate each year. The ones who will not go on to play football, you know the vast majority. What about those kids?


  15. Too Meke 2 November 19, 2017 3:18 pm

    Sorry for all the auto corrects. I can afford my own phone and it auto corrects.

    So much excuses made by one commujjjry for losing.

    Barely any class. I feel sorry for the kids who have to be exposed to these adults.


  16. 808 November 19, 2017 3:47 pm

    FYI on a thread back in October, Billy Hull mentioned that site finally blocked Education First. Hull said that user was going by at least three other screen names..BG Grad, phILHarmonic, RRFL living the lie and a few others. The guy also claimed he was some big timer but always avoided meeting up with other posters when pressed. Funny when internet heroes are exposed as the real life zeroes that they really are. Rule of Thumb…if you’re trying to impress total strangers on the internet with your so-called lifestyle, you probably don’t have one.


  17. Big P November 19, 2017 4:01 pm

    Ok you privileged privately educated chosen few, how’s about we talk about these young men, (literally young men), who are purposely held back a year playing against boy’s. Why can’t the public school adopt that policy and maybe then we can have an even playing field. But just like steroid and ped’s cheaters they all need an edge or else they would just be another Pac-5. Sorry wolfpack.


  18. Recruit dis November 19, 2017 6:16 pm

    You guys keep saying that kahuku offense is better then St. Louis because they scored more. Let’s not forget that St. Louis was in the red zone in the 10 yard line twice in the fourth quarter and did not score. You let a Qb put up over 400yds with no running game. But at the end of it all only thing matters is the W.


  19. STLou November 19, 2017 6:34 pm

    Congratulations Saint Louis on your well deserved win! As much as the red sea runs deep in Kahuku so does the Brotherhood & support of Kalaepohaku. Kahuku you played a hell of a game. You should be proud! Head up & come back next year hungry.


  20. 808 November 19, 2017 7:09 pm

    Too Meke 2 has just revealed himself as the poster fka Education First. Go get a hobby, junior. The adults want to talk football.


  21. anywaaaays!! November 19, 2017 7:57 pm

    lol saint louis has a brotherhood? what brotherhood? all i see is a sea of mercenaries recruited for temporary football glory at the expense of their communities. Rig the game all you want, Cal, Big Red will be back next year with our superior offense and defense. RRFL!


  22. SNA2HNL November 19, 2017 9:11 pm

    Congratulations to both teams for leaving it out on the field. I still believe the officiating crews lack
    experience and continue to make mistakes that result in swaying the final outcome of games.
    Make no mistake officiating games is not easy but they must be diligent in making those obvious calls and the head official asking the right questions among his crew on significant calls. They must
    do a better job and again be diligent on managing the game/play clock in all football games especially in crucial championship games.
    I’d like to them bring in top high school officiating crews from the mainland to work the State Championship games. (CIF crews from So./No. California for example)


  23. Entertained November 19, 2017 9:27 pm

    Everyone here can agree that attended the game or purchased it via pay per view…that those young men that suited up on Saturday donning the blue on one side and red on the other entertained the whole state by playing some of the best football if not the best championship game ever in our 808.

    This rivalry between St. Louis and Kahuku is so competitive it has divided the state even families…but someone had to lose (unfortunate) and to the victor goes the spoils and bragging rights for the year. Both teams played their hearts out for their perspective teams, their institutions, families and friends, they left it all on the field. It was a game of High intensity, maximum effort and effort and they didn’t disappoint us…and at they end of the game they shook each others hands, hugged friends and family members from the neighborhood and offered a sincere gratitude to a well played game.

    Take notes everyone and quit tainting this great game by these childish he said she said or refs cheated us out of this and that, and our brotherhood is better than your nation…come on!!!


  24. Too Meke 2 November 19, 2017 9:46 pm

    I am just amazed at how fast 808/anywaaays can change her name. WOW!


  25. ??? November 19, 2017 9:55 pm

    Stl alum bragging about their win, I mean Kahuku’s loss cause Kahuku did lose the game!
    You recruit almost any athlete you like in the state for your football power house and barely win; Shame on you! It should have been a blowout. When you guys beat Bishop Gorman, John Bosco or Mater Dei who also recruits then you can brag. Cal Lee coach of the year? Ahh come on! Give coach York or Look STL talent and they would blow out every Hawaii team too. He already tried at Kalani and couldn’t win a DII title!
    He better recruit Taulia to comeback from Alabama HS to save Stl next year.


  26. SNA2HNL November 19, 2017 10:19 pm

    ??? Bishop Gorman, St. John Bosco, Mater Dei I second that, I’d add Serra of Gardena and De La Salle


  27. CountryLivin November 19, 2017 10:26 pm

    Great game! Both teams played hell of a game!! But only 1 team can win and congrats to Saint Louis on getting the W! proud of the Kahuku boys you guys just came up short this time but there’s Next Year and stay hungry boys!! I’m reading the comments and it’s sad to see majority of Kahuku fans blaming the refs. Yeah there was some calls that’s was unfair but I watched the game it went both ways. It is what is! Let’s move on, we lost a great game be proud instead of pointing the finger and talking trash, be humble and regroup for next year. What r we teaching the players by blaming the refs?? Not anything good but an excuse. You even got the qb saying it in the interviews and that doesn’t help our football team. Everyone who watched the game knows it was poor clock management. We learn we move on! I’ve known the Kahuku community as having class, pride and dignity!! Let’s keep it that way Red Raiders! Pride of the NorthShore! Stay hungry get that W next year!!


  28. ilh November 19, 2017 10:37 pm

    ANYWAAAAYS, you have a long wait till next year, but for now it is all about the CRUSADERS.


  29. 808 November 20, 2017 12:06 am

    Too Meke 2 = anywaaays imposter = Education First. Hope you find what you’re looking for in your everyday life and get tired of making a fool of yourself on this website. Try medical marijuana or Prozac.

    Mahalo to all the REAL posters and fans of Hawaii HS football. Great season, Happy Holidays to you all.


  30. Main campus November 20, 2017 1:09 am

    Great game. Hawaii has so much talent. I wish they all would stay home and defend the island. Go bulldogs


  31. School Spirt November 20, 2017 5:49 am

    Great game, Great football programs; Its truly sad to read these negative blogs, the kids don’t deserve to be affiliated with negative influence in their lives. Congratulations to both programs for playing a great game.
    Lets teach our kids to live from a humble confidence and be productive members of our communities.


  32. STLou November 20, 2017 7:14 am

    yes a Brotherhood. that lasts forever. it aint temporary. But all Kahuku can do is cry about the loss. & make excuses. The same way when people said that Kahuku was supposed to smash Waianae & barely came out with that Win? Supposed to B Waianae & STL for the Championship. So Kahuku can stop crying now because u lost! moving on!


  33. Jusamom November 20, 2017 7:27 am

    WTG Crusader Nation for an awesome win! Played your hearts out and well deserved. Huge props for the Red Raider Nation for giving it everything you’ve got. Boy the Ohana and Aloha shown by Red Raider Nation is like no other. It was an awesome sight to see! Please remember that Saint Louis had 16 penalties for 168 yards against Mililani and still pulled out the win. At the end of the day, you gotta have a winner and you gotta have a loser. I’m happy that the 2 best teams made it to the Big Dance. I’m sure that Kahuku will be back next year and bringing it even stronger than ever. I’ve said it before about recruiting, at the end of the day, don’t hate the player, hate the game. ILH vs. OIA Rules are different on recruiting but at the end of the day, the player being recruited along with their parents can always say, “NO”. If someone is recruited for whatever reasons and chose to play for Punahou, Saint Louis or Kamehameha that’s their business and I say, hell to the yes if they accept an offer from a private school that maybe their parents cannot afford to them to.

    If you have a son being recruited for football by a college, do you want them to go to a college that has not just a winning team, but a great academic program or do you want them to stay home and play in their back yard? In this case UH. Come on…let’s be honest here, would you say no? Look at what lengths Tua Tagoviloa’s family has done. The entire family moved to Alabama. Alabama is the #1 in the SEC, with God’s grace, Tua will be playing professional football and the sacrifice not just for Tua but his family will be worth it.

    Wouldn’t the best public and best private school want the chance to play each other? But whenever a private school wins a championship, it raises questions about whether they have an unfair advantage because of their ability to draw athletes from anywhere. There are not that many private schools for Saint Louis to compete against hence the State Title. Kahuku won the public or OIA championship and Saint Louis won the private or ILH title.

    Most athletes dream about playing in the top, most competitive situation possible; and at the collegiate level that means playing “D1.” Recruiting has to do with talent. Your high school coach public or private is your number one link to college coaches, and he’ll do his best to help you through the recruiting process. Cal Lee clearly had been around for a long time and I’m sure knows a lot of college recruiters thus, the student athlete along with their family makes a decision to whether or not to attend Saint Louis or any private school which best can help their decision in their athletic career be it just for college or hopefully professional.


  34. RRFL C/O 2003 November 20, 2017 8:02 am

    Awesome job for both squads congrats to saint Louis and good game to Kahuku you played with your hearts out there I’m a 100% behind you boys love you guys and we will be back next year. RRFL C/O 2003 “ALOHA CAUSE WHY ITS FREE”


  35. phILHarmonic November 20, 2017 12:37 pm

    One of thee best Hawaii HS Championship games I have ever seen.

    Real players win with humility and suffer defeat with grace.

    Congratulations to both teams for a hard fought game.


  36. Envy November 20, 2017 12:49 pm

    Congratulations to both teams. It was a very entertaining game at the very least. I am curious as to how the OIA powers will respond to the goose egg laid at this year’s state football championships. In recent memory, I can’t recall a state championship in any sport at any level that the OIA didn’t have at least one team finish first. Will the OIA finally acknowledge that there are two levels of talent in Division I and place the top 6 or 8 in an open class similar to St. Louis, Punahou and Kamehameha and the rest in division I similar to Damien or St. Francis or is it going to be all or nothing in the “open” division?


  37. Football Fan November 20, 2017 3:02 pm

    One of the best high school football championship games ever. Both teams played with a lot of heart and determination. Didn’t you notice that the players have only the most complimentary things to say about one another, no criticism, no trolling. I guess it’s different when you are actually playing the game and not living it vicariously through someone else. Adults should keep out of these arguments, because the only have their own self interest and agendas. As far as the “bad calls ” from the referees, you see what you want to see, especially when you lose. Lets also stop these recruiting rumors, it’s been following St. Louis since the 70’s. I don’t see the same venom and negativity when Punahou does it. Didn’t the also have a couple of North Shore recruits recently. During the down years, St. Louis experienced several years ago, no one ever brought up recruiting. If young men from the North Shore decide to journey over to the slopes of Kalaepohaku, its a family decision, their not playing for St. Louis with mom and dad’s okay. So if Kahuku fans have an issue with losing prospective players, then you should complain to your own neighbors, its their decision. That being said, let the players have their day in the sun, win or lose. They definitely are more mature and better sportsman than their adult suppprters. Congrats to both teams, jpb well done.


  38. Dfuj November 20, 2017 3:11 pm

    @jusamom. thank you for clearing the air for the many others out there. if given an opportunity for your child to become a student-athlete at a private school is best for him/her then you do what’s best for your child. to many of us get caught up in winning/losing. we blame the refs coaches etc… the main focus should be these young men/women who are our future. championships are temporary but the life lessons they learn for athletics will go a long way. I’ve played high school and college ball. i never won a state title but I’ve leaen so much from the game/sports and I’m so very greatful in all it’s given me in my career. Congratulations to both teams on a job well done. thank you to the coaches and supporters. let’s not forget the real meaning of student/athlete. let’s get as many kids to college on scholarships so they can better their future!


  39. rrfl November 20, 2017 3:27 pm

    hey STLou – congratulations on your crusader win. Bragging right for a year. Be careful it could come back and bite you in the ass next year.

    Again congratulations to the best two teams in this state. Thank you St. Louis and Kahuku for always making this high school football so exciting.


  40. ILH AGENDA November 20, 2017 5:26 pm

    anywaaaays!!- That was the best Championship the ILH has ever purchased, not to mention that the REFS gave a bigger than usual discount because the game was against Kahuku. Had the game been against Waianae we would have paid the market rate so I want to thank you personally for saving our budget. Now we can use that money we saved to pay for the first three games of next season…for all the ILH teams!


  41. C-Pop November 20, 2017 5:39 pm

    Upon Kalaepohaku State Champs Back to back! Cheeeeee Hooooooo! Saints Saints Saints! 👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼


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