Last night, Saint Louis senior Maka'ala Kuewa blocked a punt and returned it 4 yards for a touchdown to help the Crusaders defeat Kamehameha, 51-19, for the latest of those 18 titles.

A lot has changed since 1986, but the Saints' commitment to special teams hasn't.

Throughout nearly an entire generation, a potent offense and hard-hitting defense have been the trademarks of the Saint Louis' amazing streak, but so has standout special teams play.

"Coach Darnell (Arceneaux) said the key to this game would be special teams," said Kuewa, a 5-foot-7, 180-pound senior who also plays receiver. "He said if we do that well, we'd have a good chance of winning."

For a 25-year-old, first-year high school coach, Arceneaux was right on target with that prediction.

Kuewa's touchdown broke a 7-7 tie with 3:36 remaining in the first quarter. On the ensuing series, Kamehameha quick-kicked on a third-and-10 situation from their own 17-yard line.

The Crusaders scored four plays later on C.J. Santiago's 41-yard field goal to make it 17-7, and Saint Louis' lead was never under 10 thereafter.

"All week we scouted (a tape of) Punahou, because they had two blocks (in last week's victory over Kamehameha)," Arceneaux said. "We thought we could exploit it, too, if we had the opportunity. And any time you score on special teams, it's a lift. Once you block one, the other team is always thinking about it. I thought it was a crucial point for us."

In addition to his field goal, Santiago also launched seven kickoffs into the end zone.

"It's something we focus on, because if the other team has to start from the 20 (yard line) every time, it's that much tougher on them," said Santiago, who also had a 43-yard punt with no return.

Arceneaux calls Santiago "the best punter/kicker in the state."

But it's not by accident.

"We work very hard at our kicking game," Arceneaux said. "We prepare for it every week, because it can give you a better chance of winning."

Every week, every year — for as long as 18 seasons in a row.