State titles on the line Friday

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Appropriately enough, two relatively new teams will meet for the inaugural First Hawaiian Bank Division II State Football Championships final Friday at Aloha Stadium.

First Hawaiian Bank State Football Championships Friday at Aloha Stadium Division II • Who: Damien (5-5) vs. 'Aiea (9-2) • Time: 5 p.m. Division I • Who: Saint Louis (9-1) vs. Kahuku (13-0) • Time: 8 p.m. • Tickets: $7 general, $5 students K-12. • Parking: $2 • Radio: KWAI 1080 AM will broadcast both games live • TV: None

The two programs are relatively new compared with Kahuku (13-0) and Saint Louis (9-1). The two have been playing football for more than 60 years and will meet for the Division I title the same night at 8. It is the fourth time in the five-year history of the tournament the two power will clash for the crown.

Na Ali'i are in their 42nd season, having won three OIA White titles and making championship bracket playoffs six times. They have made eight postseason "exhibition" appearances, or games that did not lead to a league or state championship. Such games include "conference playoffs" for teams that did not qualify for the true playoffs for the OIA championship.

The Monarchs are in their 39th season. They have played in four postseason exhibitions, two that were runner-up games of the O'ahu Prep Bowl. Damien, in fact, has had only two winning seasons when you count all non-league and postseason games. It needs to win this game to make it a third.

'Aiea advanced to the title game by eliminating Lahainaluna, 24-14, in one semifinal Friday at Kamehameha. Na Ali'i drew a first-round bye.

Damien reached the finals by upsetting previously ranked Kapolei, 20-13, in an opening-round game and by edging Waimea, 17-13, in a semifinal on Kaua'i. The Monarchs were likely regarded as the underdog in each game because the Hurricanes were ranked eighth in The Advertiser Top 10 before the loss. Also, Waimea, like Saint Louis, has been to the state tournament five consecutive years and has enjoyed success against bigger schools, winning three state quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, Saint Louis and Kahuku are in a rubber match, each having won two of the four state championships. The two perennial powers of their respective leagues have met three times for the state title, with Saint Louis winning the inaugural title in 1999 and Kahuku winning in 2000 and 2001.

Last year, Saint Louis reclaimed the crown by beating Castle. Kahuku was ousted from the postseason in the OIA quarterfinals.

The Saint Louis-Kahuku history started before the inception of the state tournament. The two played against each other in five O'ahu Prep Bowls with the Crusaders winning each appearance.

Saint Louis rookie coach Darnell Arceneaux will try to become the first to play for a Prep Bowl champion — three actually, from 1993-1995 — and coach a state champion.

At 13-0, the Red Raiders will try to become the 15th O'ahu team since 1951 to complete its season undefeated. Kahuku did it last in 2001, finishing 14-0 with a 21-14 win against Saint Louis for the state title.

Of the 14 undefeated teams in that stretch, eight are Saint Louis, including the 1986-89 teams, which were part of the state's longest win streak of 55.

The Red Raiders have allowed only 10 points in their previous tournament games, beating Kaua'i, 41-3, and Farrington, 35-7.

The Crusaders have reeled off eight consecutive wins since an ILH loss to then-top-ranked Kamehameha. Saint Louis beat Mililani, 47-12 in the quarterfinals and Baldwin, 48-6, in the semfinals.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.