St. Louis expecting tough Farrington
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By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
For the fifth time this season, the St. Louis School football team faces its "Game of the Year."
Tonight's state tournament quarterfinal showdown with Farrington represents a big test for the Crusaders, but it's only the latest in a series of huge matchups for St. Louis.
On Sept. 21, the Saints played the nation's No. 1-ranked team, De La Salle (Concord, Calif.). Six days later, St. Louis lost to Kamehameha in a crucial Interscholastic League of Honolulu game that forced the Crusaders to win their rematch against the Warriors six weeks later for a chance to capture their 17th consecutive ILH championship.
The Advertiser continues a series of previews for this week's quarterfinal games of the Chevron/Hawai'i High School Athletic Association state football playoffs: • Tuesday: • Wednesday: • Yesterday:
St. Louis (8-2) won that title last week by denying Kamehameha, 27-12.
State football previews
"What's good for us is we know our guys are battle-tested," Crusaders coach Delbert Tengan said. "Mentally, it has been a tough year with all those big games. But the thing I like about this team is that they always rise to the occasion."
St. Louis will have to rise again tonight, because Farrington (6-6) presents the Saints' toughest physical challenge in the quarterfinals since Wai'anae in 1999. In 2000 and 2001, St. Louis enjoyed a big size advantage against Castle and 'Aiea, respectively, but that won't be the case against the Governors.
"Watching the film of them, they have a huge offensive line, and I think they're all seniors," Tengan said. "They also have great skill players, especially (running back) Matt Bell. He's a great runner who sets up his blocks well and moves around so smoothly. They have a good quarterback (Royce Machado) and two good receivers (Dionte Noma'aea, Alvin Faumaui) ... Defensively, they present a tremendous challenge for us."
While the Crusaders' road to the state tournament was treacherous, Farrington's schedule was no cake walk, either. To get to this game, the Govs had to play Kahuku, McKinley and Castle twice each, plus Kailua. All four of those teams are ranked in The Advertiser's statewide Top 10 poll.
"Our league has prepared us well," Farrington coach Randall Okimoto said. "Kahuku, McKinley and Kailua are really physical, and Castle is quick just like St. Louis. It really helps, playing those teams."
Okimoto, who was on the Governors' squad which lost to the Crusaders in the 1990 Prep Bowl, said the O'ahu Interscholastic Association has evolved since then.
"Back then, we were primarily a run-oriented league," Okimoto said. "But we've transformed, and now everybody is throwing the ball. Even playing against teams like Roosevelt helps prepare us for St. Louis. We needed to do that as a league to keep up."
• What: Fourth Chevron State Football Championship Quarterfinals • When: 8 p.m., Friday, following 5 p.m. game, Castle vs. Hawai'i Prep • Where: Aloha Stadium, Honolulu • Venue information: Parking is $2, lots open at 3:30 p.m. Turnstiles open at 4 p.m. • Tickets: $7 adults, $5 students (K-12)
Farrington is coming off two losses since upsetting Kahuku in the OIA quarterfinals. But Tengan said that upset showed the Governors are a dangerous team.
Farrington vs. St. Louis
"What scares me is they're giant killers," Tengan said. "I'm sure that after beating the two-time state champion, their players won't be intimidated playing St. Louis."
Okimoto agreed, and said the two-game losing streak is already forgotten.
"It's a new situation, and the kids' spirits are up," Okimoto said. "We told them that this is our third season — we had the regular season, the OIA playoffs, and now this. They're excited, St. Louis is a good test for them. It's a good game for our program, because now we can really see where we stand. And beating Kahuku gave us the confidence that we can play with anyone."
To stay with the Crusaders, Okimoto said Farrington must maximize its ball control.
"We have to keep their offense off the field and give them less opportunities to score," Okimoto said. "We've shown we can sustain drives and use the clock. We have to not necessarily score on every drive, but we need to get first downs. We need to play almost perfect."
That is how St. Louis seems to have been playing the past two months. Since losing to Kamehameha 41-21 on Sept. 27, the Crusaders have not allowed more than two touchdowns in any of the next six games.
Offensively, St. Louis has not scored less than 27 in any game during that span.
"Our defense has really played well, and our running and passing games have given us better balance," Tengan said. "(Quarterback) Bobby George is in a groove, he's really throwing the ball well.
"I just hope he stays that way."
FARRINGTON GOVERNORS
What: OIA 4th seed
Coach: Randall Okimoto, 1st year, 6-6
Record: 6-6
Streak: Two losses
Tournament history: Second appearance, 0-1 overall, 0-1 at War Memorial Stadium
Scores:
W, Pac-Five, 28-7*
W, Radford, 35-13
L, Castle, 14-18
L, Kailua, 14-41
W, Kalaheo, 41-0
L, McKinley, 12-27
L, Kahuku, 7-35
W, Roosevelt, 26-24
OIA first round
W, Leilehua, 41-8
Quarterfinals
W, Kahuku, 21-20
Semifinals
L, Castle, 9-13
Third place
L, McKinley, 14-10
ST. LOUIS CRUSADERS
What: Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion
Coach: Delbert Tengan, 1st year, 8-2
Record: 8-2
Streak: Six wins
Tournament history: Fourth consecutive appearance; 7-2 overall, 3-0 in quarterfinals, 3-0 in semifinals, 1-2 in championships. Winningest team among the eight-team field.
Scores:
W, Nanakuli*, 28-6
W, Punahou, 49-0
L, De La Salle*, 21-31
L, Kamehameha, 20-41
W, Punahou, 27-9
W, Damien, 35-0
W, Iolani, 35-3
W, Pac-Five, 62-7
W, Kamehameha, 14-13
ILH Championship
W, Kamehameha, 27-12
*non-league games
