Ground game leads Campbell to win

No. 9 Campbell turned to the running game to break open a defensive struggle and beat Kailua 13-7 on Friday night in Kailua.

Campbell quarterback Justin Tago-Su’e threw his second interception to Kailua’s Micah Kaimana with his first pass after halftime, and it was the best thing that could have happened to Campbell.

The Sabers started running the ball, picking up first downs on three of four plays and setting up receiver Kainoa Perry, who found himself wide open inside the 5-yard line.

Tago-Su’e found his man that time, setting up a plunge by Paul-Andrew Rhoden for the first score of the game.

Rhoden led the way with 80 yards for the Sabers’ run-and-shoot attack, and Triston Pebria added 69.

The Sabers scored four plays after that, with the defense forcing Jarrin Young to fumble on Kailua’s first play from scrimmage after the kickoff. Campbell stayed on the ground this time, with Pebria breaking free for a touchdown from 22 yards out.

Kailua finally found a weapon after that, figuring that if Kaimana can catch Tago-Su’e’s ball, snagging a few offerings from Kahaku Iaea should be easy enough.

Iaea targeted Kaimana three times on the next drive, connecting on two of them. The first went for 37 yards and the second was a perfect throw from 23 yards out for Kailua’s first score.

Kailua got the ball three more times in hopes of pulling even in the fourth quarter, but Iaea missed on 10 straight throws and Campbell’s defense held.

Campbell, which scored 34 points against Kaiser last week, hurt itself twice in the first half, once with an interception and another time with a fumble.

The Sabers were the only team to sniff the end zone in the first half, when Pebria turned the corner and ran 37 yards for the touchdown, only to have it called back because of an illegal procedure penalty.

Kailua, which played turnover-free ball in the first half, got close enough to attempt a field goal, but Graham Naia’s attempt from 34 yards out went wide.

Tago-Su’e was 6-for-9 at one point but missed on his next seven pass attempts. But at least he got a chance. Iaea only attempted five passes before the break, completing three of them.

The umpire was laid out on Campbell’s first possession of the next drive, causing a 30-minute delay while trainers waited for an ambulance to arrive and take him off.

Kailua will try to earn its first win of the season next week against Moanalua. Campbell gets equally hot Aiea.

It was the first time since 1996 that Campbell beat Kailua, breaking a string five losses in a row.