Saint Louis shakes off slow start for impressive 24-7 road win over Farrington

KALIHI – Football has four quarters for a reason. 

It was not a pretty start for Saint Louis, but the Crusaders picked up a key non-league road victory on Friday night, handing previously unbeaten Farrington a loss for the first time this season, 24-7.  

Saint Louis senior running back Tahlen Kekawa racked up 158 yards rushing and two touchdowns across16 carries for Saint Louis, who evened the team’s record at 2-2 during a challenging non-league schedule. 

It looked like it would be all Govs early when Farrington’s Zaden Mariteragi produced a strip sack of St. Louis starting QB Mose Lilo, recovered by Shannon Iosua-Talamoa for a touchdown less than 30 seconds into the contest. For hosting Farrington, it was the first and last time getting on the scoreboard all night. 

Despite losing two more fumbles in the first half, Saint Louis staved off mistakes to keep it a one-score game late into the 2nd quarter. Without starting running back Kingsten Samuelu, Farrington struggled in short yardage and move-the-ball situations throughout the night. 

Replacing Lilo, Saint Louis junior Nainoa Lopes led the Crusaders down the field as the first half ticked down. Aided by a foolish unsportsmanlike conduct penalty by Farrington star defensive back Zion “Ziggy” Vea that saw the senior DB ejected before halftime, Kekawa scampered in from eight yards out to help Saint Louis tie the game, 7-7, at halftime. 

The Crusaders carried the momentum through the break, jumping in front for the first time all night with a 4-yard TD pass from Lopes to Pupu Sepulona with 3:39 left in the third quarter. Saint Louis extended the lead to 10 almost halfway through the fourth quarter as Makena Kauai drilled a 23-yard field goal.  

Lilo would pick off Farrington QB DJ Faavi with 4:49 remaining in regulation, setting up the dagger touchdown from Kekawa with just under three minutes left. 

Faavi finished the evening 21-of-35 passing for 175 yards and an interception for Farrington in the loss. Princeten Samuelu led the way receiving for the Govs, hauling in five passes for 60 yards while Chansen Smith added six catches for 53 yards.  

Lopes posted an impressive line in relief of Lilo, completing 10-of-14 passes for 154 yards and a score after Saint Louis completed only one of the first 10 passes thrown throughout the night. 

Farrington returns to action in two weeks as league play begins with a visit to Jaron Keawe-Sagapolutele and top-ranked Campbell. Saint Louis will be back next weekend to begin their own league action, playing KS-Kāpalama back at Edward “Skippa” Diaz Stadium on the campus of Farrington High School.