The nifty running of quarterback Cameron Higgins and yet another stellar defensive effort lifted No. 2 Saint Louis over No. 4 Kamehameha, 14-7, in an Interscholastic League of Honolulu playoff last night at Aloha Stadium.

The Crusaders (8-3 overall, 6-2 ILH) will try to reclaim their league title after losing it to the Warriors last season, against a rested and hungry Punahou (8-2, 5-2) for the ILH title 7 p.m. Monday at the stadium. The Buffanblu, who won a draw for the bye in the playoffs, are seeking their first ILH crown since 1977. Punahou beat Saint Louis, 31-20 and 16-13, during the regular season.

Now, it comes down to whether the Crusaders can avert a sweep after taking three from the Warriors this season.

"Nothing's stopping us," Saint Louis cornerback Stephen Lei said. "Not even Punahou."

Because of the short rest between games — Saint Louis beat Kamehameha, 17-7, on Saturday — ILH administrators determined that eight-minute quarters would be used last night and in Monday's game. It changed the complexion of the game. How often does a Saint Louis team have more rushing yards (170) than passing (12)? Their ability to control the ball on the ground and keep the clock running helped. Higgins scored both of Saint Louis' TDs on runs of 26 and 11 yards and led all rushers with 78 yards on 11 carries.

Meanwhile, Kamehameha had to gamble, going on 4 of 6 fourth-down situations and scoring its touchdown on one of them with 30 seconds left in the third quarter. The score came on an 18-yard pass from sophomore Michael Hoke to Justin Saniatan, helping the Warriors close to 14-7. Kamehameha failed on its other three fourth-down tries, including a fake punt that went for one yard to the Saint Louis 45. The Crusaders would score an insurance TD on their ensuing series.

Kamehameha, held scoreless for five consecutive quarters spanning the two games, had chances, only to be denied by Saint Louis' defense, which allowed 137 yards.

Saint Louis' first series nearly ended in disaster when Jared Silva shanked a punt for 13 yards to the Crusaders' 26. But Kamehameha moved only five yards, losing the ball on downs.

"That was huge," Saint Louis coach Delbert Tengan said. "In this format, the team that gets on the scoreboard first puts a lot of pressure on the other team. To keep them off the board was a real plus."

Later in the half, Saniatan returned a punt 36 yards to the Kamehameha 42, but the Warriors stalled at the Saints' 26, again losing the ball on downs.

"We didn't capitalize on it," Kamehameha first-year coach Doss Tannehill said. "We needed to in a short game like this, especially. That first quarter, we had several opportunities and we couldn't capitalize."

Even the Warriors' defense could not cash in on a break after Chase Alcott's 40-yard punt return to the Kamehameha 19 was nullified by a holding penalty, setting Saint Louis back to its 25. The Crusaders responded with a six-play, 75-yard drive that ended with Higgins scrambling out of the pocket and running 26 yards for a touchdown. Matthew Terry's PAT kick made it 7-0 with 4:58 left in the second quarter.

"I like it, but I have to make a decision on just about every single play," Higgins said of Saint Louis' hybrid offense that is similar to what Urban Meyer used when he was at Utah.

"We felt it helped enhance our running game," Tengan said. "It was evident tonight. This offense really came in handy for us."

After Kamehameha scored, there appeared to be a slight momentum shift when Higgins, on an option, pitched the ball wildly to slotback Alcott with Rykin Enos returning the loose ball 15 yards to the Kamehameha 45. On fourth-and-9 at the 46, Hoke scrambled for an apparent 15-yard gain and first down, but the play was nullified by a holding penalty, and the Warriors wound up having to punt.

Saint Louis started at its 33 but was stopped at the Kamehameha 48 and punted back to the Warriors, who took over at their 15 with 1:22 left. They reached the Saint Louis 48, but Hoke's pass to Aaron Nichols was intercepted by Lei at the 16, killing any Kamehameha hopes of a comeback.

"If you talk about an encore performance, they did again tonight," Tengan said of the defense.

The Warriors, who had just 89 yards on Saturday, started Hoke, a sophomore at quarterback in place of junior George Ka'ai.

"We needed to try to make something happen," Tannehill said.

It was a another tough loss for the Warriors.

"Our boys played hard and I'm just glad to have had another chance to play," Kamehameha linebacker Mana Lolotai said.

SAINT LOUIS (8-3, 6-2) 0 7 7 0 — 14

KAMEHAMEHA (8-4, 5-3) 0 0 7 0 — 7

StL—Cameron Higgins 26 run (Matthew Terry kick)

StL—Higgins 11 run (Terry kick)

Kam—Justin Saniatan 18 pass from Michael Hoke (Kamakana Osorio kick)

RUSHING—Saint Louis: Higgins 11-78, Shane Ahlo Jr. 2-17, Cody Wells 9-55, Chase Alcott 1-16, Team 3-(minus 7), Preston Lynch 2-7. Kamehameha: Hoke 6-(minus 4), Bryson Vivas 8-26, Jordan Rego 1-3, Jeremiah Dela Pena 4-24, Parker Paredes 1-1.

PASSING—Saint Louis: Higgins 3-7-0—12. Kamehameha: Hoke 9-21-1—87.

RECEIVING—Saint Louis: Wells 1-(minus 2), Kuli'a Aiona 1-8, Ahlo Jr. 1-6. Kamehameha: Aaron Nichols 5-41, Saniatan 2-15, Kaleo Perez 1-19, Noah Wong 1-12.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.