Kapalama, HI
All eyes were on the top of the hill as St. Louis and Kamehameha Kapalama faced off in the first meeting of ILH play. This would be the Crusaders' first match since playing the number one-ranked team in St. John Bosco 2 weeks ago.
St. Louis hasn’t lost a match to a Hawaii-based team in 7 games, and they were looking to keep their dominant reign over Hawaii-based teams.
This match-up had everything that two top teams bring. Star power on both sides of the ball, strong fan bases, and the history between these two teams. St. Louis is on the hunt to gain another ILH title and the Koa Wood trophy back to Kalaepohaku, while Kamehameha is trying to play spoiler and crush the Crusaders' hopes of that happening.
Stars were all over the field at Kunuiakea Stadium Saturday night. The heartbeat of the offensive line for the Warriors and Michigan Commit Malaki Lee, alongside his partner and Cal Berkley Commit Taimane Purcell. They were big components in this game for Kamehameha.
It would be a 34-yard pass from Mana Forges to Taimane Purcell to break through the opening points in the game. That lead wouldn’t hold up for long, as Cal Berkeley commit, Nainoa Lopes, would find his dynamic duo of Kingston Siliado (August Cover Athlete of the Month) and Jordan Nunuha in the endzone to bring them up 5 heading into the half.
As the saying goes, no two halves of the game are the same. Kamehameha’s defense would be the turning point in this game as they would go on to pick off Lopes twice in the second half and end up scoring 21 straight points.
St. Louis would mount one last run in hopes of taking the lead once again, but it would be Irai Manumaleuna who would stop the final Crusaders run and help them regain possession of the ball again.
Kamehameha takes down the defending state champs and is sitting on a perfect 2-0 record in ILH league play.
Final Score: Kamehameha Kapalama 28 - St. Louis 21
For more pictures, head over to our photo gallery.
Pictures taken by: Alan Velasco - @oscalev_
August POTM Making plays
Video by: Alan Velasco - @oscalev_
