Hawaii High School Football Preview: Kahuku vs. Saint Louis on Big Island

HILO — The Kahuku Red Raiders, top seed in the HHSAA Open Division, face off against Saint Louis Crusaders in the Hawaii high school football state championship Saturday at Vidal Sato Athletic Field in Hilo. This matchup revives one of the islands' fiercest rivalries, with Saint Louis holding recent dominance after a 31-28 thriller in 2024 at Aloha Stadium, capped by Jonah Panoke's 53-yard game-winning touchdown grab with 37 seconds left. Earlier in 2025, the Crusaders opened their season with a commanding 20-0 shutout over Kahuku on the North Shore, limiting the Red Raiders to just 120 yards of total offense.

Kahuku, champions before their recent title droughts, brings a roster hungry for redemption. Standouts like Alex Fonoimoana-Vaomu, who battled for that heartbreaker reception last year, anchor the Red Raiders' attack. Saint Louis counters with battle-tested talent, including Hawaii commit Titan Lacaden, pivotal in prior victories like a 17-10 Open Division title win. The Crusaders' defense has proven suffocating, setting the tone for their championship aspirations.

Local stakes amplify on the Big Island, drawing fans from Oahu to Hilo under Friday night lights — or Saturday, weather pending. Kahuku seeks its first crown since pre-2024 reign, while Saint Louis aims to extend a budding dynasty. Kickoff details emerge from HHSAA brackets, promising another chapter in this saga that has defined Hawaii prep football for years.