Monarchs confident after ILH football win

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Damien waited almost three years between Interscholastic League of Honolulu victories, and the Monarchs do not plan on waiting anywhere near as long for their next one.

"We going practice twice as hard (on Monday)!" senior defensive lineman Soane Sevelo yelled in Saturday's postgame celebration of a 32-6 victory over Pac-Five.

The Monarchs last won a league game on Oct. 26, 2000 (7-6 against Pac-Five). Damien proceeded to lose 16 ILH games in a row over parts of three seasons.

But the Monarchs were confident that Saturday would be different.

"We worked hard for this," said senior Ranson DeCosta, a three-year starter. "We prepared well."

DeCosta rushed for 138 yards and one touchdown on 18 carries and Va'a Fauaolo added 109 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries. But just as important, Damien won the turnover battle, 3-0, and took the Wolfpack out of their preferred run-oriented offense by building leads of 19-0 at the half and 32-0 after three quarters. The 32 points were the most by the Monarchs since an Oct. 9, 1998 loss to Iolani.

"I told our guys that I was as concerned about (Damien) as anybody," said Pac-Five coach Joe Onosai. "I knew they had athletes, and they totally outplayed us."

That hasn't been said of the Monarchs often, but it was expected by some.

"I always believed in this group; they just needed to believe in themselves," Damien co-coach Dean Nakagawa said. "They did a helluva job; it was a total team effort."

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.

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