It was supposed to be the biggest game of his life.

Instead, Micah Mamiya could only watch his Saint Louis Crusaders play the Kahuku Red Raiders for the Division I state football championship last December. A game in which he could have made an impact on the outcome. Kahuku won, 7-6.

Mamiya was sidelined with a broken left collarbone suffered a week earlier in a 10-7 win against Wai'anae in the semifinals. He had surgery the day before the title game.

"It was sickening," Mamiya recalled. "That's what we worked for, to get to the championship game."

He was injured on an option play. He was going left, when a Wai'anae defender pursued him from the right.

"He picked me up and smashed me to the ground," the right-handed throwing Mamiya said.

"I wanted to go back in, but the trainer said I couldn't. I wanted to play some more. But it was pretty sore. I couldn't even lift (my arm) up."

The Advertiser's 2006 Offensive Player of the Year is back. And it appears he hasn't lost his touch. The top-ranked Crusaders have won their three non-league games. The right-hander has completed 34 of 62 passes for 577 yards and seven touchdowns against two interceptions.

Those were just tuneups for the bigger picture: The Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division I title and return trip to the state championship. But the third-year varsity quarterback has another goal.

"Stay healthy," said Mamiya, who also broke his leg as a sophomore in non-league game. "Not get hurt."

As the state saw last year, a healthy Mamiya was lethal. It wasn't just his passing — 1,569 yards and 12 touchdowns — but his running that gave opponents fits. Mamiya rushed for 524 yards and nine TDs.

Last year, Mamiya twice beat Kamehameha with game-winning touchdown runs.

"He can make things happen with his arm and with this feet with his speed and agility," former Kamehameha coach Kanani Souza said. "He can throw under duress and pressure. He can turn what looks like a hurry or sack into a completion and he has that ability to make people miss."

No one was happier to see Mamiya return than Crusaders' coach Delbert Tengan, who noted this is the first time Saint Louis has a starting quarterback return since Bobby George (2001 and 2002 seasons).

"For us, as coaches, we feel this is a luxury," Tengan said. "Especially with our offense, the quarterback has a vital role."

Because of Mamiya's running ability, Tengan was able to diversify the Crusaders' offense last year. No longer did the Saints have to use a the run-and-shoot exclusively. They literally gave Mamiya the option, which he has executed smoothly.

"We thought it was a real nice fit for Micah because of the skills that he brings," Tengan said.

This turns out to be the multiple offense in its truest form.

"He adds a dimension that is hard to defend," Souza said. "If he's not defended, he's going to create a lot of problems and when you do defend him, that just allows other players to be effective."

The hybrid offense isn't new, as colleges have been getting the maximum talent out of their quarterbacks.

"I think everybody's going with the mobile quarterback," Tengan said. "It puts pressure on the defense to keep them honest."

Mamiya said he honed his running skills while playing for Kalani Pop Warner during the seventh grade, when he started attending Saint Louis.

"I used to play running back," he said. "I just look for the holes and run through the holes."

Since then-coach Cal Lee took over the Saint Louis program in 1982, the school has been synonymous with the passing game. Saint Louis has produced the most all-state quarterbacks the last two decades. And Mamiya is aware of that legacy, which included: Sean Kinilau (1983), Erin Hall (1987), Mike Nua (1988), John Hao (1989 and 1990), Joel Lane (1991 and 1992), Darnell Arceneaux (1994 and 1995), Jason Gesser (1996 and 1997), Tim Chang (1998 and 1999) and George (2002). (Hao is receivers coach for the Crusaders.)

"I'm just trying to keep up the tradition," Mamiya said.

Although he missed last year's title game against Kahuku, Mamiya did get his shot earlier this season against the Red Raiders in a non-league game the Crusaders won, 21-6. But everyone knows the only game that really matters is the last one of the season.

"All I'm trying to do is get back to that game, so I can play," Mamiya said.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.