Hawaii powerhouses will do battle for a state title.
Video: Top 10 Games of the WeekSt. Louis (Honolulu) vs. Kahuku (Hawaii)
Friday, 7:30 p.m. Hawaii-Aleutian timeWhy it's big: Friday night's Division I championship game features the two teams with the most state titles in the Aloha State.
Including the 14 Prep Bowl unofficial state crowns it won in the 1980s and ‘90s, St. Louis has a Hawaii-best 17 state championships. However, the Crusaders haven't won it all since 2010.
Kahuku owns seven state titles, the most among Division I teams since tournament football began in Hawaii in 1999. The Red Raiders (12-0) hope to claim the top prize for the first time since 2012.
Names to watch: St. Louis (9-1) has three seniors committed to Pac-12 colleges and another holding at least one Pac-12 offer. The group includes linebacker
Jordan Iosefa (USC), offensive lineman
Nate Herbig (Stanford) and receiver
Drew Kobayashi (California).
Kahuku dominated the awards when the OIA Red all-star teams were released last week. Junior quarterback/running back
Kesi Ah Hoy – rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports -- was named offensive MVP and defensive back
Keala Santiago earned the defensive MVP. Overall, 14 Kakuhu players were first-team all-league, including 10 out of the 12 players selected on defense.
St. Louis, shown here last year, will attempt to win its first state title since 2010.
Photo by Darryl Oumi
