Crusaders blank Red Raiders in rematch of Open Division state final

Brian Bautista | SL

Nainoa Lopes threw a touchdown pass and ran in another score to help Saint Louis to a 20-0 win over host Kahuku in the season opener for both teams Friday night.

Two-hundred fifty-three days after they met in last November's Open Division state final, the Crusaders (1-0) claimed the highly-anticipated rematch over the Red Raiders (0-1), who were shut out for the first time since Sept. 14, 2019.

Lopes, a senior quarterback, threw for 157 yards on 15-of-25 passing and was not interception. His favorite target was wide receiver Kingston Siliado, who recorded 13 receptions for 142 yards. The pair hooked up for a 22-yard touchdown pass late in the second quarter.

Running back Tenari Fuamatu-Maafala ran for a career-best 102 yards on 19 carries.

Saint Louis got on the board in the closing seconds of the first quarter thanks to a defensive score. Defensive back Urijah Belaras intercepted a pass by Kahuku quarterback Matai Fuiava and returned it 44 yards for a touchdown.

Fuiava completed just four of his 16 pass attempts for 17 yards and threw a pair of picks.

Kahuku was held to 120 yards of total offense. Running backs Toa Sam and Blake Alo each carried 13 times apiece for 60 and 47 yards, respectively.

The Red Raiders were just 1 of 12 on third downs and picked up just six total first downs.

Saint Louis finished with 329 net yards and 14 first downs. It was 4 of 14 on third downs and 2 of 4 on fourth downs.

Lopes closed out the scoring with a 2-yard TD run with 15 seconds left in the game.

Malaki Soliai-Tui tallied a game-high 11 tackles, including nine solo stops to pace Kahuku defensively.

The Crusaders have a bye next week, while the Red Raiders will host Kamehameha Saturday at Carleton E. Weimer Field.