Crusaders won't look past Na Ali'i

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

The 'Aiea High School football team's 48-0 loss to Kahuku last week did not fool St. Louis coach Cal Lee.

He knows that game was not a true measure of Na Ali'i, who are 10-1 and the O'ahu Interscholastic Association White Conference champions.

"'Aiea is a good football team, they played well all season," Lee said. "We're not just looking at how they played last week."

Na Ali'i struggled miserably against Kahuku, finishing with minus-23 yards of offense. They were not much better on defense, allowing running back Mulivai Pula to rush for 144 yards and four touchdowns in the first half.

'Aiea was down 41-0 at intermission.

But Lee said nobody should write off Na Ali'i just yet, even against the 16-time Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion Crusaders (8-0-1).

"I think everybody has a chance," Lee said. "When you're like us, most of the schools target you and you know they're going to come with their 'A' game. That's why you always have to be ready to play."

'Aiea coach Wendell Say said his team will be ready, despite last week's disappointing performance.

"Mentally, we were a little worn down after the game, but since then the kids have responded well," Say said. "They didn't hang their heads, they're in good spirits. We're not going to let one bad game spoil what we've accomplished. This is like a new season for us; our attitude is positive."

Say added that Na Ali'i won't be intimidated by St. Louis, but will instead look forward to the game.

"We're not going to lay down for them, we'll be fighting all the way," Say said. "We told the team that when you're in the state tournament, you'll face the best. It's a good challenge for us."

'AIEA vs. ST. LOUIS

• When: Tonight, 7:30

• Where: Aloha Stadium

• Records: 'Aiea 10-1; St. Louis 8-0-1

• Seeds: 'Aiea is OIA No. 4; St. Louis is ILH champion

• Advertiser ranking: 'Aiea is No. 7; St. Louis is No. 2

• Last week: 'Aiea lost to Kahuku, 48-0; St. Louis had a bye

• Series record: First meeting

• Key factors: 'Aiea quarterback Lole Laolagi led all OIA passers with 2,172 yards and a league-record 31 touchdowns in the regular season, but his numbers have recently dropped off significantly. Laolagi, who threw only five interceptions in his first eight games, has had 11 picks in the past three. Laolagi passed for only 117 yards against Wai'anae two weeks ago and Na Ali'i finished with just 198 total yards. Against Kahuku, things got worse. Laolagi completed 5 of 16 passes for 21 yards and was intercepted four times. He was sacked seven times and pressured by a relentless pass rush. Still St. Louis coach Cal Lee is concerned about Laolagi's versatility. "He's a good athlete who can run and throw," Lee said. "We have to make sure he stays in the pocket, because he can hurt you with his scrambling ability." 'Aiea coach Wendell Say is expecting Laolagi to play more like he did in the first eight games, not the past three. "He's our biggest leader out there, so we look to see him play better," Say said. "We're hoping he has a breakout game. He's due for one." ... This has not been one of St. Louis' most dominating years, with a seven-turnover game against Punahou and a narrow 13-7 victory over Iolani to go along with a 24-24 tie against Kamehameha. But the Crusaders are coming off an impressive 38-14 win over Kamehameha two weeks ago. "It probably was the best game we played all season," Lee said. "We moved the ball through the air and on the ground, and our defense did a really good job." ... On the bright side for 'Aiea, the Crusaders' run-and-shoot attack is something it is familiar with. "We face the pass every day in practice, and we've already faced a lot of good quarterbacks in our conference," Say said. "St. Louis' offense is almost a mirror image of ours. But their depth of talent is deeper." ... The tournament is a swan song for Lee, who announced last summer that he will step down after this season. But he said the topic of each coming game possibly being his last is not a central one for the Crusaders. "We haven't talked about it since Day 1," Lee said. "If we prepare well enough, then we'll keep playing and we don't have to worry about it."