Victory begins in the trenches for Saint Louis’ stonewalling defense

The question is more theory when defense face Saint Louis.

How can anyone keep Saint Louis’ high-powered offense from scoring? Take one weapon away, and the Crusaders find another way to exploit the weakness. Sometimes, the best defense is an offense, one that can slow the game down. Lower the possession counts. Keep quarterback Jayden de Laura and his offensive teammates on the sideline.

Nationally-ranked Bishop Gorman tried. The Gaels finished with 98 yards on 21 rushing attempts in a 31-19 loss to the Crusaders.

Mililani tried. During the regular season, the Trojans led 14-13 after one quarter before falling to the top-ranked Crusaders 54-21. With one of its finest defensive units ever, Mililani limited Saint Louis to 3 rushing yards on 20 carries and de Laura finished with just 18 pass attempts.

The blueprint had elements of success, but de Laura was simply opportunistic through the air with 378 yards. Five of his 11 completions were for touchdowns. Slotback Koali Nishigaya had a breakout night with five receptions for 263 yards and two scores.

When Mililani (8-4) and Saint Louis (10-0) meet in the semifinals in the Open Division of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Open Division State Championships on Friday, there could be new wrinkles by the defense. Ideally, though, the Trojans might prefer to use their offense as a defensive tool. Churn out long drives. Control the ball. Tilt field position. Avoid turnovers. Win the battle for hidden yardage on special teams.

That probably doesn’t happen, however, unless they can move the ball consistently against Saint Louis’ defensive front of Darrell Masaniai (6-2, 210), Stanley McKenzie (6-2, 280) and Anthony Sagapolutele (6-0, 234, Jr.). Masaniai has offers from Army, Hawaii, Navy and UNLV.

“They’ll throw the ball, but they really catch teams off balance with their run game. They have a really good O-line and two good running backs. We want to take away their run game and make them one-dimensional,” said McKenzie, who is committed to Cal.

Mililani running backs Malosi Sam, a transfer from Saint Louis, and Jasiah Alcover combined for 111 yards on 27 carries in the first matchup. Sam had 16 carries for 72 yards and Alcover tallied 39 yards on 11 attempts. Saint Louis created problems in the pocket, however, as Mililani quarterback Brendyn Agbayani was taken down several times and finished with minus-48 rushing yards. As a whole, the Trojans finished with minus-41 yards of rushing offense.

“It’s all based off what we read, what we see,” said Sagapolutele, a junior. “Taking what the O-linemen give us and keeping them as honest as possible.”

The trio in the trenches provide the push at the point of contact, and key reserves provide consistency from start to finish. It is one of the biggest differences in the program over the past four seasons — building up depth at D-line.

“I think (Tana) Alualu is one. Syrrus Kang. Kalepo (Fiaseu). I think those guys really fit in, but nobody knows who they are,” Saint Louis coach Cal Lee said. “They are team players. They do whatever you ask. They just want an opportunity and when it comes, they perform. We’re very fortunate.”

McKenzie won’t be surprised if Mililani has new adjustments.

“They’ve had a month to get ready. They could use a heavy package,” he said.