St. Louis dominates in 54-7 romp over 'Aiea
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By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer
The immovable object and the irresistible force. St. Louis resembled both last night in a quarterfinal demolition of 'Aiea at Aloha Stadium.
Bobby George completed eight of 12 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns as St. Louis routed 'Aiea, 54-7.
All of George's touchdown passes were to Jason Rivers (23, 40, 46) in the first half. The three scoring receptions were Rivers' only catches of the night.
"They're just coming of age," St. Louis coach Cal Lee said. "The connection between Bobby and Jason ... these guys are real hot right now and I hope they stay hot for next week."
The Crusaders will play Kailua in next Friday's semifinals at Aloha Stadium.
Na Ali'i couldn't get any pressure on George and he was able to hit open receivers at will.
"We have to thank our offensive line because they do a good job and don't get a lot of credit," Lee said. "They do a nice job and Bobby appreciates what the line does for him."
St. Louis (9-0-1), the Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion, scored touchdowns on its first five possessions. The Crusaders led 41-0 at halftime, so the 35-point mercy rule was in effect at the beginning of the second half.
In the first half, St. Louis gained 372 yards in total offense, while 'Aiea was held to 25. 'Aiea also committed four turnovers in the half.
"St. Louis is a good team," 'Aiea coach Wendell Say said. "We need to face this kind of competition more on a regular basis to be successful."
'Aiea quarterback Lole Laolagi, who passed for 2,172 yards and 31 touchdowns during the regular season, was under pressure on virtually every pass attempt. He was sacked four times in the first half.
"Lole struggled," Say said. "Take nothing away, he's a real good athlete, a good quarterback."
'Aiea scored on a 33-yard touchdown pass from Reuben Medeiros to Calvin Martinez off a fake punt with 5:50 left in the third quarter. The score cut the deficit to 41-7 and halted the mercy rule's running clock.
"We looked pretty good in the first half, and in the second half we kind of laxed because of the score," Lee said. "That's to be expected when you have a 40-point lead."
St. Louis backup quarterback Chris Sokugawa led a 6-play, 58-yard scoring drive, which culminated with Prince Brown's 3-yard touchdown run with 2:46 left in the third. It was Brown's second touchdown run of the game.
St. Louis' B.J. Batts had a 4-yard touchdown run — his second of the game — midway through the fourth quarter.
'Aiea (10-2) ended its most successful season in school history with a pair of lopsided losses to the state's best teams. Last week, Kahuku routed Na Alii, 48-0, in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association co-championship. 'Aiea was the OIA's fourth seed in this tournament.
"The kids played their best and we couldn't have asked for anything more from them," Say said.
