Honolulu, HI
Another challenge came for the young men of Kalaepohaku. After a 0-4 start to the season and the dismissal of Head Coach Tupu Alualu, the St Louis Crusaders would find themselves against the nations top powerhouse team ranked No.9 of St. John Bosco Braves. The Crusaders under new interim head coach Leonard Lau, would seek to finish the preseason schedule strong and on a positive note moving forward into the ILH season.
The Crusaders have struggled since opening night to Kahuku to find points on the board. Being shutout for the past 3 games, the Crusaders being back on home soil would look to find a new spark to get the team going. After battling it out with IMG Academy and Sierra Canyon during their California trip, St. John Bosco wasn’t any team easier.
The Braves returned to the islands again since 2023. After a 3-1 start, the Braves looked to continue their schedule with a win in paradise. The Braves defeated the Kahuku Red Raiders last week at home. A week later, they play another O’ahu team and look to make it back to back wins against the top teams from Hawai’i.
The Braves would get themselves on the board quickly with a rushing touchdown from Freshman RB, Kahi Jimenez-Labra, and receiving touchdown from Sophomore WR, Kuika Moaalii. In what looked to be another disaster from the jump for the Crusaders, a new form of life was displayed on their opening drive. The Crusaders led by Sophomore QB, Zander Namoku, would help the Crusaders march down the field. Just like the opening quarter against IMG academy, the Crusaders kept themselves in the match, and after 3 scoreless games, the Crusaders would find themselves in the end zone with a rushing touchdown behind junior RB, Tenari Fuamatu-Maafala.
The Crusaders first points since opening night in August, would finally get the moment they were waiting for. After another touchdown from the Braves, the Crusaders kept fighting to keep themselves close. Another touchdown by Crusader Senior WR, Frank Abreu, would get themselves back within one possession. The Braves would yet again add another touchdown to their led from Junior WR, Dj Tubbs, before the crusaders answered back with the second touchdown from WR Abreu to make it 28-21.
A Déjà vu moment for the Braves, as they faced a similar situation last week against the Red Raiders of Kahuku. The opening 14-0 start led to a 14-6 possession in what gave the Red Raiders life. The Crusaders didn’t want to let their foot off the gas. After another Braves touchdown, the Crusaders would find themselves yet again in the end zone trailing by just one possession. It was a shock to everyone after seeing the way the game went except for the Crusaders who’ve been waiting for this moment. After going scoreless to the top teams from Hawai’i, California and Florida, the Crusaders would finally get their points against their biggest opponent of the season.
The Braves have been in a close battle before in Hawai’i. Back in 2023, the Braves battled it out on the North Shore against the Kahuku Red Raiders. After trailing in the half, the Braves found life and made it a ball game late in the 4th. Eventually the Red Raiders of Kahuku would find a last minute touchdown to pull the biggest upset against the No.1 team which was St John Bosco. 3 years later, the Braves would see Kahuku again back in home soil which took place last week and it was a different story. A week later, the Braves didn’t want history to repeat itself in Hawaii.
After a 28-21 lead, the Braves took over and showed why they are still the best team in the country. Two quick touchdowns from the jump would get the Braves going and disrupting the Crusaders offense would force turnovers for the Braves who would then convert into points. Some of that defensive stops would be Laie very own Isala Wily-Ava. The local boy would have his homecoming return on his senior year back to the islands and did not disappoint. An Interception and many pass break ups would help the braves keep the Crusaders at just 21 points. Junior QB, Koa Malau’ulu, would also make his return home, as the local boy went off with 4 passing touchdowns to give the braves the win in paradise.
For the Crusaders, a lot of positive notes to take away moving into their ILH League play. After getting shut out the past 3 games, the young men from kalaepohaku finally found life at home against the nations top ranked team. Making stops when needed and moving the ball in the air and on the ground, the Crusaders now look to keep things going as they will face off against Kamehameha-Kapalama next week at home. For the Braves, they return home to start their trinity league play against jserra.
Final Score: St. John Bosco 63 - St. Louis 21
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Pictures taken by: Pakela Wheeler and Kennedy Velasco - @pakela._ & @kennnchapo
