We haven’t heard much lately about the ILH football teams about to play in the upcoming state tournament, and there’s a really good reason for that.
Due to the myriad schedule changes brought on by COVID-19, ILH Open Division champion Saint Louis (5-3) hasn’t played a game in six weeks.
Senior AJ Bianco, shown against Bishop Gorman earlier this season, is Saint Louis’ starting quarterback.
It’s almost the same story for ILH D-I champion ‘Iolani (9-0). The Raiders have not engaged in a real game in four weeks.
But now is the time for their return.
The Crusaders, the No. 2 team in the Bedrock Sports Hawaii Top 10, had to scratch their way to the league title by beating an impressive Kamehameha squad twice in a row in the playoffs. They will play in the Open Division semifinals of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA State Football Championships against No. 3 Mililani (5-2) on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Farrington’s Skippa Diaz Stadium.
“We haven’t played a game for almost two months,” Saint Louis coach Ron Lee told Bedrock Sports Hawaii on Wednesday. “But we’ve had a total of about 180 reps of 11-on-11s in the last couple of weeks, about 40 a day. They’re going hard against each other.”
Lee likes what he sees and is hoping there’s as little rust as possible when the Crusaders line up against the Trojans on Saturday.
“In the last three games we played, we were playing at a pretty good level, but now with that big break, I don’t know we’re where at. I like the fact that we were very physical in practices and haven’t had injuries. Physically and mentally, we’re getting there and we’re going to have to play really well to win. I think we’re going in the right direction, but I don’t know how we’re going to play Saturday.”
After attending the OIA Open title game, Lee was impressed with both No. 1 Kahuku and Mililani, a game in which the Trojans jumped out to a 14-0 lead but wound up losing 21-14.
“I thought that any one of the two could have won that game,” Lee said. “A couple of plays cost Mililani, but other than that they had a great shot at winning. Kahuku tries to balance it up. They can run and are throwing the ball well. And aside from a few plays, Mililani handled that.”
As for playing the Trojans on Saturday, Lee added, “They’re not big, but they’re quick and they tackle well. They have a nice scheme and it’s going to be a tough game for us.”
Aside from its two regular-season losses to the Warriors, Saint Louis’ other defeat was at the hands of Las Vegas’ Bishop Gorman, who won the season opener for both teams 42-21 in August.
In the other Open semifinal game Saturday, No. 5 Campbell (5-3) takes on Kahuku at 4 p.m. at the Farrington field.
Undefeated ‘Iolani Worked On Staying Sharp During The Break
For No. 7 ‘Iolani and coach Wendell Look, thank goodness for three interleague games against OIA teams that the Raiders scheduled after their league season.
Without those games — all wins against Kailua, Castle and Roosevelt — ‘Iolani’s last game would have been Oct 1, which was 11 weeks ago.
The Raiders return to action Friday against OIA D-I champion Aiea (4-2) at Farrington’s Skippa Diaz Stadium at 7 p.m. in the D-I state semifinals.
“We were fortunate to schedule those games to try to keep that game readiness,” Look told Bedrock Sports Hawaii on Wednesday.
All season, the Raiders have been playing ‘Iolani football, which is smart and disciplined, move those chains and be aggressive on defense.
“We’ve been practicing on stuff, things you don’t get to do normally during a season,” Look added. “Situational, in-game things that you don’t have time to get to. We’ve also given the kids some time off and the coaches some time off.”
‘Iolan’s Brody Bantolina (1) is the Raiders’ leading rusher in 2021.
Look and the Raiders are focused on Aiea, a team they scouted but did not know they’d be playing against until last week.
“We’ve done the best we can in trying to keep everybody sharp and engaged and focused,” Look added. “These kids have done a great job of sticking in there and remaining focused and on the path and enjoying the process.”
Na Alii has gotten things done defensively, holding Moanalua to two touchdowns, including one late in the game, in a 17-14 OIA Division I championship game win last weekend.
Look knows his coaching counterpart, Wendell Say of Aiea, well. Say’s team is going through a resurgence this year after some down seasons.
“Wendell has been around for a while, a veteran guy,” Look said. “He has the experience and knowledge and patience to weather the bad times and stick to what he believes in and making this state tournament is the reward for that. They are aggressive all the way around, on offense and defense, and they try to make things happen on special teams, so we’ve got our work cut out for us.”
In the other Division I semifinal on Friday, MIL D-I champion and No. 8 Lahainaluna (6-0) tangles with BIIF D-I champion and No. 6 Konawaena (6-0) at 3 p.m.
The full state tournament schedule is below, followed by the schedules/results and links to rosters of all of the participating teams in the Open Division and D-I, The Division II bracket won’t be announced until Sunday.
First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Football State Championships
FRIDAY, DEC. 17
Open Division semifinals
at Farrington’s Skippa Diaz Stadium
>> Konawaena vs. Lahainaluna, 3 p.m.
>> Aiea vs. ‘Iolani, 7 p.m.
SATURDAY, DEC. 18
Division I semifinals
at Farrington’s Skippa Diaz Stadium
>> Campbell vs. Kahuku, 4 p.m.
>> Mililani vs. Saint Louis, 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 22
Division II semifinals
at Farrington’s Skippa Diaz Stadium
>> First game, team and times TBD
>> Second game, team and times TBD
THURSDAY, DEC. 23
Open Division championship game
at Farrington’s Skippa Diaz Stadium
>> Semifinals winners, 7 p.m.
Division I championship game
at Farrington’s Skippa Diaz Stadium
>> Semifinal winners, 3 p.m.
THURSDAY, DEC. 30
Division II championship game
at Farrington’s Skippa Diaz Stadium
>> Semifinal winners, time TBA
—–
OPEN DIVISION SCHEDULES/RESULTS
No. 1 Kahuku Red Raiders (8-0) … TOP SEED
>> Oct. 15: Kahuku 41, at Kapolei 7
>> Oct. 23: Kahuku 75, at Farrington 6
>> Oct. 30: Kahuku 55, at Leilehua 0
>> Nov. 6: Kahuku 50, at Waianae 7
>> Nov. 13: Kahuku 55, at Mililani 20
>> Nov. 27: Kahuku 49, at Campbell 23
>> Dec. 4, OIA playoffs: Kahuku 33, Waianae 7, at Farrington High field
>> Dec. 10, OIA championship: Kahuku 21, Mililani 14, at Leilehua High field
No. 2 Saint Louis Crusaders (5-3) ,,, SECOND SEED
>> Aug. 20: At Bishop Gorman 42, Saint Louis 21
>> Sept. 18: Saint Louis 41, at Punahou 23
>> Sept. 24: Kamehameha 23, Saint Louis 21, at Aloha Stadium
>> Oct. 8: Saint Louis 27, Punahou 21, at Aloha Stadium
>> Oct. 15: Kamehameha 34, Saint Louis 31, at Aloha Stadium
>> Oct. 22: ILH playoffs: Saint Louis 35, Punahou 0, at Aloha Stadium
>> Oct. 29, ILH playoffs: Saint Louis 41, Kamehameha 7, at Aloha Stadium
>> Nov. 5, ILH championship: Saint Louis 35, Kamehameha 21, at Aloha Stadium
No. 3 Mililani Trojans (5-2) … UNSEEDED
>> Oct. 15: At Mililani 49, Waianae 6
>> Oct. 22: At Mililani 20, Kapolei 0
>> Nov. 5: Mililani 38, at Leilehua 0
>> Nov. 13: Kahuku 55, at Mililani 20
>> Nov. 20: Mililani 48, at Campbell 14
>> Dec. 3, OIA playoffs: Mililani 42, Campbell 7, at Farrington High field
>> Dec. 10, OIA championship: Kahuku 21, Mililani 14, at Leilehua High field
No. 5 Campbell Sabers (5-3) … UNSEEDED
>> Oct. 15: At Campbell 38, Farrington 6
>> Oct. 29: At Campbell 39, Waianae 0
>> Nov. 6: Campbell 36, at Kapolei 3
>> Nov. 13: Campbell 41, at Leilehua 7
>> Nov 20: Mililani 48, at Campbell 14
>> Nov. 27: Kahuku 49, at Campbell 23
>> Dec. 3, OIA playoffs: Mililani 42, Campbell 7, at Farrington High field
>> Dec. 11, OIA third-place game: Campbell 33, Waianae 14, at Waipahu High field
—–
DIVISION I SCHEDULES/RESULTS
No. 8 Lahainaluna Lunas (6-0) … TOP SEED
>> Oct. 22: At Lahainaluna 24, Maui 0
>> Oct. 29: Lahainaluna 48, at King Kekaulike 7
>> Nov. 6: Lahainaluna 40, Baldwin 12, at War Memorial Stadium
>> Nov. 12: At Lahainaluna 31, Kamehameha-Maui 13
>> Nov. 27: Lahainaluna 26, Maui 9, at War Memorial Stadium
>> Dec. 4: At Lahainaluna 29, Baldwin 22, at War Memorial Stadium
No. 7 ‘Iolani Raiders (9-0) … SECOND SEED
>> Aug. 27: ‘Iolani 28, Damien 0
>> Sept. 3: At ‘Iolani 46, PAC-5 7
>> Sept. 10: At ‘Iolani 35, Kamehameha II 20, at Aloha Stadium
>> Sept. 17: ‘Iolani 47, Pac-5 0, at Aloha Stadium
>> Sept. 24: At ‘Iolani 38, Damien 0
>> Oct. 1: At ‘Iolani 52, Saint Louis II 28
>> Oct. 30: ‘Iolani 28, at Kailua 0
>> Nov. 5: At ‘Iolani 49, Castle 14
>> Nov. 19: ‘Iolani 40, at Roosevelt 7
Aiea Na Alii (4-2) … THIRD SEED
>> Oct. 22: At Moanalua 28, Aiea 25
>> Oct. 29: Aiea 14, at Roosevelt 13
>> Nov. 12: Aiea 43, Castle 21, at Radford High field
>> Nov. 27: Aiea 38, Waipahu 7, at Radford High field
>> Dec. 3: At Kailua 14, Aiea 13
>> Dec. 11, OIA championship: Aiea 17, at Moanalua 14
No. 6 Konawaena Wildcats (6-0) … FOURTH SEED
>> Oct. 22: Konawaena 24, Hilo 21, at Wong Stadium
>> Oct. 30: At Konawaena 60, Keaau 6
>> Nov. 13: Konawaena 54, at Waiakea 0
>> Nov. 19: Konawaena 42, at Kealakehe 13
>> Nov. 26, BIIF playoffs: At Konawaena 55, Keaau 19
>> Dec. 3, BIIF championship: At Konawaena 13, Hilo 12
—–
LINKS TO TEAM ROSTERS:
D-I
>> Kahuku Red Raiders
>> Saint Louis Crusaders
>> Mililani Trojans
>> Campbell Sabers
D-II
>> Lahainaluna Lunas
>> ‘Iolani Raiders
>> Aiea Na Alii
>> Konawaena Wildcats
