Salt Lake, HI
St Louis returns to the field in week 3 of non league play, after week one opener shutout win against rival opponent, kahuku red raiders. the defending state champs hosted the bishop montgomery knights Saturday night at radford high school under John e. Velasco stadium. a tough matchup in front, it would be no different as the crusaders prepare week after week to earn another spot in the hhsaa open division state championship game and earn another koa wood title.
The knights traveled from Torrance, California as they hope to start their first game of the season with a win in paradise. Bishop Montgomery opens up their schedule against the top team in Hawaii, st Louis crusaders, and the #1 powerhouse team in the country, mater dei monarchs. a new season with a new squad, the knights look to challenge themselves from the jump to see what It would take for them to be successful throughout the year.
there would be key players missing for both teams in week 3. the crusaders would be playing without their top wr, Kingston siliado, due to an ankle injury. as for the knights, they would be short handed on players due to transfer ineligibility per the cif (California Interscholastic federation)
despite key players missing, it's always a next man up mentality for the young men of st Louis. crusader Senior QB Nainoa Lopes and WR Jordan Nunuha, played a big role in the matchup against the Knights. Finding Nunuha in the endzone 3 times, Nainoa would throw for 174 yards as well as the Running back core who would add on their rushing performance with 2 touchdowns of their own. both teams scored early in the match, but the knights would take the lead going into the half.
The crusaders would find their spark after driving down the field to start off the second half, with a touchdown of their own. the crusaders would be firing on all cylinders after that and took a commanding lead just after being down 14-7 at the half. the knights would make a small comeback, but would be one possession short, as the crusaders hold off against the knights and start the season off 2-0.
st louis will have another bye week before facing off against the mililani trojans on the road. all of that will lead up in preparation for them to travel on the road to bellflower, California and take on the #3 powerhouse team in the country, st John Bosco braves.
final score: St Louis 34 - Bishop Montgomery 27
for more pictures, head over to our photo gallery
pictures taken by: Kennedy Velasco - @kennnchapo
