Lee sees Saint Louis’ flaws despite rout

Saint Louis coach Cal Lee was grumbling about his defense after Saturday night’s 67-19 victory over St. Francis at Aloha Stadium.

"Our defense needs a lot of work and we’ll be working them hard on Monday," said Lee, the winningest coach in state history, who came back as the head man for the Crusaders this season after being away since 2001.

"I think we need an attitude adjustment."

When asked if he thought there would be personnel changes on the defensive side of the ball, Lee said, "Maybe."

The offense was no problem for the Crusaders (4-3, 4-1 ILH). Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw two touchdown passes before being relieved by Ryder Kuhns, last year’s starter. Kuhns added a touchdown pass.

Even Colton Nascimento, the third-stringer, showed his capability in clean-up duties.

But the fifth-ranked Saint Louis defense gave up 290 total yards to the Division II Saints (2-5, 0-5), including 220 through the air. That’s why Lee is so concerned.

"We came out and wanted to establish that we could win some small wars, pick up some first downs and move the ball," St. Francis coach Mike Ulufale said. "We wanted to walk out of here with our heads held high and we can do that, even with the blowout score.

"I respect Cal and he came up to me after and told me that we really competed with them. That means a lot, coming from a legend like Cal."

Tagovailoa finished with 172 yards passing, and both of his TD strikes were to Drew Kobayashi. Kuhns’ touchdown throw was a 51-yarder to Nascimento.

The Crusaders won the turnover battle 5-1 and that helped a lot. Jayce Smalley had an interception and a fumble recovery for Saint Louis, while Ronson Timbreza came up with two interceptions.

Kawika Ulufale, the Saints’ starting quarterback, turned in a solid game, going 14-for-26 for 189 yards, including a 19-yard TD pass to Micah Kalei, but he also threw two picks.

St. Francis’ Jonah Luis-Mateo intercepted a Kuhns pass and returned it 65 yards for a third-quarter TD.

Despite the defensive woes, Lee was pleased with the efficiency of the Crusaders’ offense.

Asked if the team would be ready come playoff time, he said, "I hope so."

At Aloha Stadium

StL—Drew Kobayashi 26 pass from Tua Tagovailoa (Noah Alejado kick)
StF—Micah Kalei 19 pass from Kawika Ulufale (kick failed)
StL—Jimmy Nunuha 46 pass from Tagovailoa (Ihaka Johnson kick)
StL—Kobayashi 21 pass from Tagovailoa (Alejado kick)
StL—Tagovailoa 2 run (Johnson kick)
StF—Leighton Rosa 1 run (Chenoa Johnston kick)
StL—Jahred Silofau 4 run (kick failed)
StL—Silofau 7 run (Johnson kick)
StL—Jimmy Gonsalves 6 run (kick failed)
StF—Colton Nascimento 51 pass from Ryder Kuhns (Johnson kick)
StF—Jonah Luis-Mateo 65 interception return (kick failed)
StF—Jonathan Manalo 2 run (Johnson kick)
StF—Nascimento (Alejado kick)

RUSHING—St. Francis: Rosa 7-45, Ulufale 5-15, Destin Pakele 5-8, Jeremiah Leaeno 1-7, Micah Teal 1-2, Roland Merrill 1-1, Blaze Umiamaka 2-(minus-4), Nainoa Medeiros 2-(minus-8). Saint Louis: Silofau 3-32, Ronson Young 7-26, Gonsalves 2-19, Jonathan Manalo 4-19, Tagovailoa 1-10, Nascimento 2-(minus 5), Kuhns 1-(minus-12).
PASSING—St. Francis: Ulufale 14-26-2<189, Umiamaka 5-10-2-31. Saint Louis: Tagovailoa 9-10-0-172, Kuhns 8-11-1-182, Nascimento 3-7-0-28.
RECEIVING—St. Francis: Teal 6-74, Kalei 6-62, Rosa 3-4, Luis-Mateo 2-69, Kelii Macalino 2-11. Saint Louis: Jordan Goo 3-69, Kobayashi 3-59, Joshua Tokunaga 3-28, Nunuha 2-84, Nascimento 2-56, Spencer Johnson 2-17, Leelan Oasay 1-23, A. Johnson 1-23, Young 1-15, Keanu Souza 1-7, Micah Liana 1-1.