Crusaders face big challenge from Surfriders
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
Against all odds, not a drop of rain fell upon Hilo's Wong Stadium last Friday night.
But the Kailua High School football team managed to bring lots of thunder and lightning anyway, in the form of an offense which flooded Waiakea with 499 total yards en route to a 53-8 victory.
The thunder came from the Surfriders' vaunted ground game (41 rushes, 374 yards); the lightning from quarterback Taleki Mailau's air strikes (8 of 13, 125 yards). Tonight, Kailua (10-2) will try to take O'ahu by storm when it meets 16-time Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion St. Louis (9-0-1).
The game, set for 7:30 at Aloha Stadium, promises to be the most intriguing semifinal matchup in the three-year history of the Chevron State Championships.
"I hope people are not waiting for next week (to see us)," Crusaders coach Cal Lee said, "because there may be no next week."
Lee's warning is legitimate mainly because of the Surfriders' massive offensive line, the likes of which St. Louis has not seen this season. Even Kamehameha's line, which was the biggest among the Crusaders' ILH opponents, did not approach the 6-foot-3, 287-pound average that Kailua's boasts.
"I don't think many people can match up with them," Lee said. "That line is a big concern. They've got big boys up there with quickness."
St. Louis' past two semifinal victories lacked much drama. In 1999, the Crusaders blanked Waimea 56-0, and last year the Saints routed Wai'anae 63-10. Lee expects this one to be different.
"Kailua is a pretty darn good football team," Lee said. "They're a good matchup for us physically, and they're coming off a couple of big wins. Some people are already looking forward to next week, but they shouldn't, because we can't look past Kailua."
KAILUA vs. ST. LOUIS
• When: Tonight, 7:30
• Where: Aloha Stadium
• Records: Kailua 10-2; St. Louis 9-0-1
• Seeds: Kailua is O'ahu Interscholastic Association No. 2; St. Louis is ILH champion
• Advertiser ranking: Kailua No. 3; St. Louis No. 2
• Last week: Kailua defeated Waiakea 53-8; St. Louis defeated 'Aiea 54-7.
• Series record: St. Louis leads, 4-2.
• Last meeting: 1977 (preseason) — St. Louis 21, Kailua 12
• Key factors: Kailua quarterback Taleki Mailau, a three-year starter, had his best all-around game in two months last week. He completed 8 of 13 passes for 125 yards and one touchdown, and rushed 12 times for 105 yards and three more touchdowns. He was not intercepted. Surfriders coach Darren Johnson said Mailau was bothered by a groin injury through much of the season, but is fine now. "He was playing at only 65, 70 percent because of injuries," Johnson said. "I think he's got a lot more mobility now." St. Louis coach Cal Lee said that could pose a problem for the Crusaders. "These quarterbacks now are multi-talented, they're scramblers with a running ability to go along with the whole package," Lee said. "(Mailau) has been handing it off to the the backs and they're getting 10 yards a crack, but he definitely has the ability to throw if need be." ... Lee said Brenton Harbottle, Kailua's tiny (5-6, 173) tailback, also presents a challenge for the St. Louis defense. "We've gotta worry about him, too," Lee said. "He's a scatback who is not easy to find or catch." Harbottle attended St. Louis two years ago as a sophomore. ... Harbottle's backup, Nathan Leaver, gives Kailua yet another threat. Last week, Leaver rushed for 179 yards and three touchdowns on only nine carries. That included a state tournament-record 86-yard touchdown run. ... The Crusaders, meanwhile, appear to be peaking at just the right time. They handed Kamehameha (8-1-1) its only loss, 38-14, three weeks ago and dominated 'Aiea (10-2) last week, jumping out to a 41-0 halftime lead. A key factor has been St. Louis' ground attack, which features three talented backs in Prince Brown, Justin Cabansag and B.J. Batts. The Crusaders have long been recognized for their efficient passing game, but St. Louis rushed for 270 yards against Kamehameha and 227 yards vs. 'Aiea. Batts, a sophomore, ran for 102 yards and one touchdown against Kamehameha and 95 yards and two touchdowns against 'Aiea. "We have a good trio of running backs, and it's a good mix because two guys (Brown and Cabansag) have power and Batts is like a slasher," Lee said. "The running game has helped us move the ball down the field." ... The Crusaders, of course, may be best known for their quarterbacks. This year's starter, Bobby George, fits the mold of his predecessors as far as arm strength and throwing crisp, tight passes. George threw for 1,381 yards and 17 touchdowns in the seven-game ILH season. Lee said St. Louis' improved running attack has only made George better. "If you've got balance, you don't put everything in his hands," Lee said. "It eases the pressure on him." ... Kailua faced some good receiving corps this year, but maybe none as good as the one the Crusaders have in Jason Rivers, Kainoa Fernandez and Tito Sallas. Those three combined for 70 receptions, 1,169 yards and 15 touchdowns in seven ILH games. Kailua must protect against the deep routes, as well as the wide receiver screen, a St. Louis trademark. In a 48-7 loss to Kahuku earlier this season, the Surfriders were hit by two screen plays that went for over 50 yards each ... Lee said as well as St. Louis has played in the past two games, it faces a big challenge tonight. "We feel pretty good about ourselves right now, but we can't look back," Lee said. "We can do a lot of things on offense and we can put points on the board, but with Kailua's line and ball-control, they might not give us the ball back."
