Saint Louis tramples Kapolei
By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer
Saint Louis' run-and-shoot offense has a reputation for its gun-slinging quarterbacks and quick scores.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
But last night at Aloha Stadium, the Crusaders relied on ball control and a tough defense to overwhelm Kapolei, 35-6, in a non-league game before 4,462.
Kamehameha running back Jason Rego (22) hurdles one of his teammates and takes on Wai'anae linebacker Watson Mahaulu-Kauwalu (42) in the first quarter. Kamehameha defeated Wai'anae, 35-0.
The Crusaders ran 26 times for 181 yards and completed 11 of 14 passes for 137 yards.
Saint Louis (2-1) scored on its first three possessions with the drives consisting of 22 plays (15 rushes) and covering 196 yards.
"They run a different type of defense with three down linemen so we thought we could run it inside a little bit more," Saint Louis head coach Delbert Tengan said.
Saint Louis' Kevin Sullivan carried the ball 11 times for 108 yards and two touchdowns, with most of his damage coming in the first half.
"Kevin has had three great preseason games and we hope he continues to do that as we head into our regular season," Tengan said.
Kapolei head coach Darren Hernandez said: "All week long we tried to practice against the draw. Against Saint Louis, what kills you is the draw."
Kapolei (0-2), of the O'ahu Interscholastic Association West Division, spoiled the shutout with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Jon Medeiros to Jimmy Stevens on the first play of the fourth quarter. The play capped a 16-play, 67-yard drive.
"Anytime you hold someone as big and strong and as athletic as they are (to six points), that's a pretty good job defensively," Tengan said.
Saint Louis linebacker Jared Silva led the charge, finishing with 15 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and scoring on a 74-yard fumble return in the third quarter.
Saint Louis' Stanley Nihipali completed 10 of 13 passes for 127 yards and one touchdown.
Kapolei, which used a spread option offense, didn't complete a pass until 4:20 left in the third quarter. The Hurricanes also lost three fumbles, two of which led to touchdowns.
The Crusaders, of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu, committed 18 penalties for 150 yards.
Kamehameha 35, Wai'anae 0
Jason Rego rushed 17 times for 121 yards and two touchdowns and Kamehameha's defense had five sacks and forced three second-half turnovers in a 35-0 victory over Wai'anae last night at Aloha Stadium.
Kamehameha (2-0-1 overall) put the non-league game away in the third quarter on a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Ikaika Hardie and two touchdowns off Wai'anae turnovers.
"That kind of took a little bit out of their sails," Kamehameha head coach Kanani Souza said of Hardie's return.
Warriors defensive back Travis Uale forced and recovered a fumble after a short completion, which led to a 2-yard run by Rego with 7:38 left in the third to make it 28-0.
Kamehameha defensive back Keo Wright's interception led to a 7-yard touchdown pass from Pono Kam to Waika Spencer with 3:50 left in the third. The 35-point differential rule went into effect after Annie Yamamoto's conversion kick.
Wai'anae (1-2), of the O'ahu Interscholastic Association West Division, couldn't put together any consistent drives, with its deepest penetration of the game being the Kamehameha 19.
"They were stronger than we were and they manhandled us," Wai'anae head coach Daniel Matsumoto said of Kamehameha's defense.
In the second quarter, Rego rushed five times for 64 yards, including a 10-yard run with 11:15 left before halftime to make it 14-0 Kamehameha.
The Warriors, of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu, scored on their first possession of the game with Kam connecting with Justin Saniaton on a 10-yard touchdown pass.
