The season isn’t over quite yet for four-time Hawaii state champion Saint Louis.
The Crusaders will be playing in the Geico State Champions Bowl Series on either Dec. 21 or 22 in Las Vegas against an opponent who has yet to be determined.
Glenn Medeiros, the school president, is excited that the Crusaders are getting the opportunity.
“Our plan is to go, and we as a team, we’ve gotten together and we’re having our final conversations (with organizers) this morning,” Medeiros said. “We didn’t know (until Friday night) for sure that we were going to win the state championship.”
Saint Louis completed a 12-0 season, winning their 38th game in a row, 45-6 over Kahuku on Friday at Aloha Stadium in the Open Division final of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Football State Championships. It was the Crusaders’ fourth title in a row.
The bowl will be paying a lot of the team’s expenses although specifics are still being worked out.
The Crusaders will be one of four teams in the bowl series as part of a doubleheader broadcast on ESPNU. The other teams — three more state champions — are unknown at this point, although multiple sources have confirmed the Crusaders’ likely opponent is St. Thomas Aquinas, a school in Florida. The Raiders haven’t finished their season yet. They play for the Florida 7A state title on Dec. 14.
“I think their hope is to get the four best teams (in the nation) together,” Medeiros said.
The Crusaders are ranked No. 7 in both the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 and USA Today Super 25 this week, falling one spot from No. 6. St. Thomas Aquinas is ranked No. 2 by USA Today and No. 5 by MaxPreps.
Saint Louis nearly played in the same bowl series a year ago before deciding against it.
“Last year was a team decision made between the coaches and myself to not go,” Medeiros said. “There were some that were happy and others who were not. In this particular case (this year), we’ve had a chance to talk about it in detail for a long time. We feel the best thing to do this year is to actually go.”
Medeiros is not sure how many Saint Louis athletes will be going. Some may have other commitments. Others may be injured.
“We do think this is going to be a great opportunity for the students and I’m looking forward to being a part of it,” he said. “I’ve always believed that traveling is a good thing for kids from Hawaii, so you can see the outside world and see what it’s like. So many of our kids don’t have a chance to do that.”
Jordan Botelho, the Saint Louis linebacker and Notre Dame commit who will be playing in the All-American Bowl on Jan. 4, said during his All-American Bowl jersey presentation at the school Monday: “We have one more game left and we’re going to win that one, too.”
I hope they get to play a legit top tier team just to see where they stand.
I’m not a big StL fan, but good luck to the crusaders and rep da 808.
Would be awesome if they go against St. Thomas Aquinas. Vegas is a good neutral site too. If they could beat the best team in Florida, that’ll speak a lot for Hawaii as a whole.
They are playing St. Thomas Aquinas, ranked #5 in the nation by Max Preps.
Some people think St. Aquinas is the top team in the nation. I think a couple other teams are better. But this team is legit.
The spread is St. Thomas is favored by 5.5.
Using 88’s math, that could range from 2 to 78.
This could be a very interesting change of events. Can you imagine 2 of Hawaii’s teams playing in Vegas back to back? If the Warriors end up playing in the Vegas Bowl, Hawaii fans will be there supporting the Brotherhood!
Good luck to St.Lou, playing in Vegas makes it easier. Cept if UH beats Boise, Vegas Bowl will ask UH. Game on 21st. Hopefully the Boise 808 connection let up on Cole.
St Thomas Aquinas is NOT SLs opponent at this time. STA would have to win out, and it’s Principal would have to approve the trip, which hasn’t happened as of today. Other teams still alive are Chandler AZ, Corner Canyon UT, Marietta GA, Orlando FL Jones, Miami FL Northwestern and St Frances MD.
Your mamas range is 2 to 78….. lol
That is such a horrible comeback. I mean really. “My mom’s range is 2-78?”
Like you actually posted that? I will give you this though 88. It’s takes a lot of courage or stupidity to post something so boring and at no point insulting.”
I kinda feel sorry for you if that is your best comeback.
Ahhhh someone’s ityybitty feelings are hurt…lol
Why Not Mater Dei , since they lost to St. John Bosco?
@88
no get mad, cuz kahuku would never be in this position, not with that offense. No worry, at least saint louis is putting Kahuku on the map. Thank Saint Louis for that. Cuz if it wasnt for Saint Louis, Kahuku would be no where to be heard of. THATS REAL TRUTH.
why mater dei? Mater Dei is #4 in nation, st aquainis is #2. Saint Louis will be playing the #2 team in the nation.
Awesome! Whomever they match up with, it should be a really good game.
Congrats to the Crusaders, well deserved.
RRFL!!
About Time!!
This is the only way STL will crack the Top 5 in National Rankings. 4 teams with 1 loss ahead of them in MaxPreps, 3 teams with 1 loss ahead of them in USAtoday. A win here will move them in the Top 3.
The only way they will ever reach #1 in the Nation is to play 3 Top 10 teams a year like Mater Dei, Bosco, STA etc… does.
St. Lou go gettum!
Gentlemen of Saint Louis, play with dominance, play with bravery and win it with heart. Do it for “The Lou!!!”
@ Gregory Nozoe
You have to be a State Champ to qualify.
Bosco & De La Salle will play for title this week.
@88. I was watching tv and on the Herd they said “He’s really a special kind of dumb.”
It made me think of you. Lol.
Now for the 100th time, how come you don’t talk big anymore?
You try to make a joke here and there (albeit no one laughs). You attempt to insult (albeit it’s never offensive or insulting).
But, your online mannerisms and aggressiveness has subsided.
You sir, are the biggest bandwagon rider in the history of sports.
And I guarantee you will not answer why you have your tail between your legs and do not talk big anymore.
But you will say ridiculous stuff like 25=39. Lol.
California and Texas do not participate in the post season showcase
🏈Freedom of speech is evident here oh well Anyway I thought The article was a positive about St Louis having an opportunity to play on, not about people arguing over comments. This is A High School Local Team with A Chance To Play On come on man 😱🏈
They win we all win!! Go get um boys! Represent for the Saint Louis brotherhood and also the 808 Cuz be believe we riding with you. #RR4L #Hawaii4L #WeNotHereToTakePartWereHereToTakeOvah
So STL is the first to put their name in the hat. Now, we can’t give them grief for dodging the heavyweights. It’s up to the others to join the party. I’m no STL fan by any means, but I would donate money to give these kids the opportunity to represent Hawai’i.
…and @Pelican: I think Kahuku put itself on the map. Lately, they’ve been struggling, but I do remember at one point them being tied for the most NFL players on a roster.This was about 10 or so years back, but Sports Illustrated published the article on the topic.
I think STL and Kahuku need each other. It’s David vs. Goliath and the drama is usually intense. These past years tho, it’s been more like David vs. Thanos.
I’d like to see Saint Louis vs SJB…that would be a good one
I’m all for Hawaii football to play mainland teams. I support any Hawaii high school. We are the 808!
I hope StLouis plays a team from Florida or DC or Midwest. We will always have opportunities to play California and other West Coast teams but to play teams from far away that are known powerhouses is the best choice when you aren’t paying for all the costs. I’m a Red Raider for Life first, but always cheer for the 808 when we face others.
It’s games like these that state pride over rides personal bias and school pride to pull all the 808 together to cheer for whoever leaves the rock to rep the 808. Not often I cheer for StLouis but I will be in this upcoming tourney.
I’m not a St Louis fan but will cheer for them as Hawaii’s team vs whoever their opponent turns out to be. 🤙
Good luck! Hope you smash whoever you play.
RRFL
Hope Crusaders kills it up there. Go dominate and rep for the state. For now we should all be Crusader fans. Only for now. Haha.
And to the very smart bird. Yes its true. But the reverse is also true. We might not like each other much. But like any rival, you need the other team. We also made your teams better.
Any team that represents “808” is who we should ALL support. We don’t have the numbers like mainland teams, but our boys have heart and pride in where they come from, and who they represent which is ALL of us! Go Saints!
Your at home watching T.V. thinking about me, Really(see what i did there lol)? I’m flattered lady but you on the wrong blog.
Since i have the time let me break down what i meant when i posted “@really obviously you didn’t watch the 39-14 thumping Kahuku gave St. Louis back in 2015 for the State Title. How quickly we forget..lol”. You see numbnutts i wasn’t referring to the point disparity between the score for both games, as every one on this blog understood except you, i was simply referring to the @$$ whooping that was given and the opportunity that the Crusaders took to learn from said @$$ whooping to come back better and stronger.
I understand your brain is the size of a pea and that you might never comprehend this however it is my prayer that the good lord sees fit, if maybe just for a minute, to open your mind however small it may be(and we all know how small that is) so that you might understand these things….. hahahahahaha.
Personal attacks are something Hawaii Prep World promotes I guess looking at this thread’s moderation.
2015 Championship Coach v tata former Crusader big reason why kahuku won. Defense scheme confuse ron lee. But the next year ron lee made adjustments n was diff story.
1 reason for each championship
2015-bad weather Kahuku wins
2016-fumble leaping into end zone results in touchback-saints win
2017-Kahuku’s poor clock management on their last drive-saints win
2018/2019-total dominance