After a recent season of struggle — and defeat — against Punahou, Saint Louis may have reached the tipping point. Last week’s clutch 30-14 win over previously unbeaten Punahou earned the Crusaders a spot in Saturday’s ILH championship game. After the teams split two games so far, this rubber match is for the league title and the ILH’s lone berth in the state championships.

For coach Cal Lee and his program, the climb back to the pinnacle is not yet complete, but after two years of sacrifice and struggle, there is much more than hope. QB Tua Tagovailoa is far from 100 percent healthy, but the Saint Louis defense has picked up in a large way. The unit, led by linebackers Isaac Slade-Matautia and Jordan Loveni Iosefa, has learned to close with strength.

Since rallying past Kamehameha three weeks ago, the Crusaders have put a lid on ‘Iolani and the defending champ, Punahou, allowing a combined 21 points.

Tagovailoa isn’t near his sophomore-year production (33 TDs, 3 INT), but he has been efficient despite a lingering calf injury.

The junior has completed nearly 62 percent of his pass attempts for 1,978 yards with 18 TDs and four picks. All that with a relatively young receiving corps that has matured and overcome injuries. With the O-line relatively healthy — Nate Herbig missed a chunk of the early season with a leg injury — Saint Louis is in a position to end Punahou’s streak of four ILH titles in a row.

Punahou is in a position to redeem last week’s loss. History shows that ILH champions have often bounced back from defeat, evolving from week to week against a cut-throat schedule. After a sterling performance against Kamehameha two weeks ago, QB Ephraim Tuliloa had trouble against Saint Louis last week with three interceptions and just 120 passing yards. Running back Wayne Taulapapa rushed for 92 yards and struggled with turnovers too.

After a handful of remarkable comeback victories, Punahou came up empty last week, watching Saint Louis score 30 unanswered points. This is the Buffanblu’s opportunity to add another feather to that dynasty cap. With key players like Tuliloa and Taulapapa facing the sunset of their prep careers, there’s no time like the present.

Waimea vs. Kapaa

Coach Phillip Rapozo’s Warriors clinched the league title earlier in the month. That makes this a matter of 1) preserving an unbeaten league mark for Kapaa, or 2) immense pride for the Menehune, who have lost their last four games.

Kamehameha-Maui vs. Maui

With Baldwin in the driver’s seat, first-half winner Maui is locked in second place for the second-half title. That sets up a Maui-Baldwin championship game.

Hilo at Kealakehe

The Vikings have played like the two-time defending D-I champs they are. In five of their last six games, they’ve allowed six or fewer points. The exception was a 30-29 loss to Kealakehe at Wong Stadium.

Kealakehe’s only BIIF loss was to D-II Konawaena.

ILH DIVISION I STANDINGS & STATISTICS

ILH DIVISION II STANDINGS & STATISTICS

RECORD BOOK

Passing

Career: Timmy Chang, 1997-99 Saint Louis, 8,001 yards

Season: Timmy Chang, 1999 Saint Louis, 3,985 yards
Game: Kawika Keama-Jacobe, 2014 Moanalua, 574 yards
2015: Mililani’s McKenzie Milton has 6,959 career yards

Rushing

Career: Joe Igber, 1996-98 ‘Iolani, 4,428 yards
Season: Mark Atuaia, 1990 Kahuku, 2,377 yards

Game: Jesse Carney, 2010 Kalaheo, 379 yards
2015: Mililani’s Vavae Malepeai has 3,937 yards in his career and 1,318 yards this season.

Receiving

Career: Kanawai Noa, 2012-14 Punahou, 3,510 yards
Season: Gerald Welch, 1999 Saint Louis, 1,689 yards
Game: David Kaihenui, 2002 Kailua, 319 yards