A huge test for Saints

Cal Lee was in Las Vegas a few years ago, speaking with a couple of coaches from a California high school football team at a players’ clinic.

"They told me they were coming out to play a team in Hawaii in a few years," said Lee, the state’s all-time winningest coach who is back at the helm at Saint Louis for the first time since 2001. "When I asked which team, they said Saint Louis, so I told them, ‘You better be ready to play them.’ "

Those coaches from St. John Bosco in Bellflower, Calif., can say the same thing to Lee now, too. The Braves finished last season as California’s open division state champions and finished ranked No. 1 nationally by MaxPreps.com.

The game is 7:30 p.m. Friday at Aloha Stadium, and you can be assured both teams are ready.

The Crusaders are coming off a season-opening 63-47 loss to Mililani, last season’s state runner-up.

"We are looking forward to this game," Lee said Wednesday. "They (the Braves) will test you every which way and that will give us a good challenge — and that’s what you want, the best competition."

Lee is not worried about the morale of the Crusaders after they gave up 63 points.

"We are always going to be looking forward," he said. "You get 24 hours to celebrate a win or mourn a loss."

So, which will it be Friday? Both teams are loaded with talent.

Josh Rosen, St. John Bosco’s 6-foot-4 quarterback, has committed to UCLA. That says something.

Braves running back Sean McGrew, who is 5-8 and 175 pounds, is the reigning California player of the year. His video highlights make it look like some of the defenders were the victim of the viewer’s slow-motion button. He’s running behind an offensive line that returns three of five starters.

Tight end Jarett Balter and wide receiver Jared Harrell are other weapons in the up-tempo shotgun zone read offense.

"We like to rep out as many plays as possible, get the ball to our playmakers in space and let them do their thing," St. John Bosco coach Jason Negro said over the phone Thursday morning after a practice session at Turtle Bay Resort.

A Braves crew came early to film Saint Louis’ game against Mililani last Saturday. The rest of the team arrived Monday and has been practicing on the North Shore, mostly at Turtle Bay, in preparation for their season opener.

"We know what they do, but being able to stop it is another thing," Negro said.

The Braves have game plans for both Crusaders quarterbacks, senior veteran Ryder Kuhns and sophomore Tua Tagovailoa. The latter threw for five TDs against the Trojans.

Defensively, lineman Gavin Windes, linebacker Nas Anessi and safety DJ Morgan provide the St. John Bosco defensive leadership.

"We’re trying to stay as focused as possible while enjoying the island," Negro said. "We’re trying to make things as normal as possible in this remarkable and amazing place, and the kids have adapted well."

Lee has learned what he can from his rude reintroduction into the head coaching ranks.

"When you put up a lot of points (47), that should be enough to win," he said. "We’ve made some corrections and personnel evaluations and adjustments and that’s what preseason (nonleague) games are for."

Two Crusaders went over the 100-yard mark in receiving last week — Allan Cui (10 catches, 112 yards, 2 touchdowns) and Keanu Souza (7, 107, 2) — and could pose problems for the Braves’ secondary.

It’s no surprise Lee is looking for more productivity from his defense, so look for changes there. He mentioned that Matt Mariota, who moved to linebacker from the defensive line, has been a sparkplug.