A grueling
two-team race in the ILH that started with double overtime ended with
another thriller that came down to the final minute.
Saint
Louis senior Saitaua Lefau scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 4-yard run
with 3:50 remaining and defensive back Ronson Timbreza came down with
the game-clinching interception in the final minute to give the
Crusaders an emotional 27-23 victory over Punahou on Saturday night at
Aloha Stadium.
No. 1
Saint Louis (8-1) finished off back-to-back wins against previous-No. 1
Punahou (8-2) to end the Buffanblu's four-year run atop the ILH.
The
Crusaders won their first ILH title since 2010 by handing Punahou
consecutive losses in ILH games for the first time in more than a
decade.
"I'm just
so happy for the players. They worked so hard and they deserve it,"
Saint Louis coach Cal Lee said. "We were fortunate the way things ended
up. (Punahou) is a helluva football team. It's too bad only one can go
(to the state tournament). That's the way it is."
Saint
Louis blew a double-digit lead in the second half of a 51-45 double
overtime loss to Punahou in the first meeting this season.
The
Crusaders ended Punahou's 20-game winning streak in the ILH last week to
force a one-game playoff and then came back after losing a 20-10 lead
in the third quarter.
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