Govs thump Crusaders

It’s only fitting that the Farrington Governors are making history in an election year.

Abraham "Amo" Silva rushed for 157 yards and three touchdowns and Tyler Taumua added 90 yards as No. 3 Farrington outlasted No. 5 Saint Louis 39-33 Thursday night at Aloha Stadium.

It was Farrington’s first win over Saint Louis since 1968, when Randy Cadiente was quarterback of the Govs. Thursday’s signal-caller, sophomore Montana Liana, made just his second start and was solid again with three touchdown passes and only one turnover.

Saint Louis was in shock mode in more ways than one. Quarterback Kawai Mook-Garcia sat out the game for non-football related disciplinary action.

"It’s personal time off," first-year Crusaders head coach Matt Wright said. "It was difficult chemistry for a first game. We had a slow start with our young guys, but Farrington is a great team. They come right at you and it was a shock to our system, their size and speed. Once we got acclimated, we finished the game the way we wanted to start it."

Saint Louis committed six turnovers and had two punts blocked — both by Farrington’s Manly Williams.

"And we only lost by six points," Wright said. "We shot ourselves in the foot."

Silva was, as he was against Waianae last week, both explosive inside and elusive outside as Farrington improved to 2-0 in nonconference play.

"Saint Louis is a really good team. They put eight guys in the box, but that’s a mistake," the 212-pound senior said. "We work against it in practice every day. I trust my offensive line and the man upstairs."

The Governors stopped Saint Louis on a three-and-out to start the game, then scored on their first play from scrimmage on Silva’s 52-yard jaunt off right tackle.

The Saints answered with just three plays from scrimmage on their next series, with Robert Faleafine connecting with Jeremy Tabuyo for a 43-yard touchdown pass against single coverage. Aaron Peltier’s PAT kick made it 7-6 with 9:11 left in the opening quarter.

A fumble by Faleafine on a handoff to Adam Noga was recovered by Motu Heimuli at the Saint Louis 20-yard line.

Two plays later, Silva burst to the left side, broke a tackle and dove past the pylon for a 15-yard scoring run, and the Govs led 12-7 with 6:37 left in the first quarter.

An interception in the end zone by Saint Louis defensive back Micah Todd derailed Farrington’s next drive. However, Williams had the first of his two punt blocks moments later, giving his team the ball at the Saints’ 15-yard line.

Five plays later, Montana Liana and Tyler Liana connected again, this time on a 4-yard play-action pass, and the Govs had an 18-7 lead with 10:38 to go in the first half.

A 12-play, 59-yard march by the Saints, with Tabuyo on the receiving end of a 21-yard pass to the back of the end zone by sophomore Ryder Kuhns, brought them within 18-13 with 6:29 left in the half.

But just as the Saints were within striking distance, Williams blocked another punt, and Heimuli recovered at the Saint Louis 10-yard line. On fourth-and-goal at the 2, Silva went up the gut and stretched out over the goal line as he stumbled, scoring his third touchdown of the half.

Farrington led 25-13 with 1:17 to go in the half.

A 47-yard interception return by Setefano Lavatai set up the Govs’ next touchdown, a 10-yard pass from Liana to Jackie Anakalea, for a 32-13 lead.

But Noga responded with a 65-yard touchdown run mere seconds later to pull the Saints within 32-20 with 5:51 to go in the third quarter.

Saint Louis’ third fumble led to another Farrington touchdown, a 21-yard toss from Liana to James Hashimoto. The Govs led 39-20 with 13 ticks left in the third. Again, Saint Louis bounced right back on a 88-yard kickoff return to paydirt by Devan Stubblefield as the quarter expired.

From there, the Govs’ "Bamboolas" offensive line took command, pounding away as Silva and Taumua took turns. Saint Louis got a 2-yard touchdown run by Colton Goeas with 58 seconds left, but Williams snagged the on-side kick easily and the Govs secured the win.

Wright became only the second coach in Saint Louis history to lose his debut on the football field. The other was Cal Lee.