On this date in 1969, two of the ILH’s all-time greats locked horns in Farrington’s 25-22 victory over Kalani at Honolulu Stadium.
Governors running back Onosai Tanuvasa, the first ILH back to gain 1,000 yards in a season, gained 231 yards rushing and scored four touchdowns in the victory.
The ‘Samoan Strongboy with the moves of a Kalihi belly dancer’ could have had even more yardage but he fumbled twice in the red zone. Tanuvasa did most of his damage with Punahou transfer Baba Kreutz at middle linebacker for the Falcons.
Tanuvasa’s success led to Kreutz being moved to offense, where he was inserted as a fullback in front of future Olympian Joe Story. Kreutz played quarterback at Punahou the previous year.
Kreutz showed Tanuvasa a thing or two about running the ball, scoring touchdowns from 20 and nine yards to pull the Falcons within three points with 4:10 left to play.
Tanuvasa finished the season with 1,076 yards to lead a slew of legendary backs including Arnold Morgado (724), Gary Campbell (831), Larry Kauleinamoku (545), Kreutz (770) and Story (584).
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