Posted on: Tuesday, September 10, 2002

Iolani coach pleased with upset of California power

Advertiser Staff

The Iolani School football team has won 75 games in 12 years under head coach Wendell Look, but very few have been bigger than Friday night's 34-20 victory over Edison of Huntington Beach, Calif.

"Anytime you can beat a proven program like that, especially the way we came back ... it's a big win," Look said. "It's a stepping stone for us. We're happy the kids were able to take it to the next level."

Edison, which went 11-1-1 last year, plays at the highest level in California. The Chargers made it to the championship game of the California Interscholastic Federation's Southern Section Division I, which includes the largest and best teams in the Los Angeles metropolis. Their only loss was to Long Beach Poly, which is currently ranked No. 4 in the nation by both USA Today and Student Sports, Inc.

Although Edison lost 17 starters from that team, it returns Tommy Grady, regarded by some as the best quarterback on the West Coast.

"Some of the throws he made were unreal," Look said. "And with an established program like that, even if they lose a lot of starters, someone else always steps in."

The whole Iolani team stepped it up in the second half, outscoring the Chargers 28-0.

"In the first half, I think we weren't used to their speed and tempo," Look said. "But we adjusted, and I was impressed with our secondary in the second half. On offense, I think we wore them down. Everybody did a good job."