Campbell’s defense knocks out Leilehua; Mililani is up next

Yards were earned the hard way at rainy Hugh Yoshida Stadium on Friday night, and visiting Campbell prevailed in a defense-heavy OIA quarterfinal with a 20-14 victory over Leilehua.

The Sabers (7-2) move on to play Mililani in Thursday’s semifinals. The season is over for the Mules  (6-2), who received a first-round bye. It is the first time a seeded OIA team lost in the quarterfinals since 2007.

Campbell trailed 14-7 at the half, but fought back with its running game and defense to earn a rematch with the Trojans, who won the first game, 57-28, on Sept. 19.

"I’m so proud and happy for our boys," Sabers coach Amosa Amosa said. "At halftime, we told them they would have to play the best half they’ve ever played. We came back out and used our running game, and our success all year has been because of the boys up front. They did an awesome job tonight."

It was an exciting finish to say the least. With 1:31 to go, Leilehua’s Devin Gray recovered an apparent fumble and ran 81 yards to the end zone. But the ballcarrier on the play, Austin May, was ruled down and Campbell retained possession.

Thirty-six seconds later, the Mules’ Deshaun Osborne blocked a 37-yard field-goal attempt by Campbell’s Kona Reiny-Aloy. But Leilehua could not pick up a first down in four tries and the Sabers ran out the clock.

Campbell broke a 14-all tie with a 40-yard drive after forcing the Mules to punt from their own end zone. Terell Johnson gained 23 of the yards on three carries before Jenesus Tago scored with a 10-yard run around right end.

"Our defense shut them down, our quarterback (Ezra Savea) was confident, and I can only thank my O-line and my God above," Tago said. "(The touchdown) was an exciting moment for me, my family and the community."

With less than three minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Leilehua got as far as the Campbell 27, but a bad snap turned into an 18-yard loss, and then quarterback Kalanimoku Pauole threw his second interception of the game. Dylan Villanueva made the pick and returned it 18 yards to the Leilehua 8, setting up the game’s final moments.

May, who gained 92 yards on 15 carries, gave Campbell a 14-14 tie midway through the third quarter with a 38-yard TD sweep. A Sabers fumble recovery led to the tying score.

Earlier, with 52 seconds to go before halftime, Leilehua’s defense came through in a big way. Campbell had a fourth-and-3 at the Mules’ 48, and Gray intercepted a tipped Savea pass and returned it down the left sideline 48 yards for a Leilehua touchdown and a 14-7 lead.

After the loss, the Mules gathered near midfield, where the coaches gave them a positive talk.

"You get knocked down in life," defensive coordinator Mark Kurisu told them. "What it means to be a champion is to get back up."

As for Campbell, "We will go back (to the school in Ewa Beach) and enjoy this," Amosa said. "Come Monday, we’ll look at stopping that machine over there in Mililani."

Camp–Jayce Bantolina 12 pass from Ezra Savea (Kona Reiny-Aloy kick)

Lei–Toma Savea 4 run (Jadan Gilliland kick)

Lei–Devin Gray 48 interception return (Gilliland kick)

Camp–Austin May 38 run (Reiny-Aloy kick)

Camp–Jenesus Tago 10 run (kick failed)

Camp–Tago 10 run (kick failed)

RUSHING–Campbell: May 15-92, Terell Johnson 18-59, Tago 2-13, Team 1-(minus 2), E. Savea 5-(minus 18). Leilehua: T. Savea 6-11, Ikaika Piceno 2-5, Kalanimoku Pauole 8-(minus 3), TEAM 2-(minus 24).

PASSING–Campbell: E. Savea 6-12-1-57. Leilehua: Pauole 17-33-2-107, Kaleo Piceno 1-1-0-7, I. Piceno 0-1-0-0.

RECEIVING–Campbell: Bantolina 5-47, Javal Medlin 1-10. Leilehua: Tyreek Keough 5-36, Lauriano Lucas 4-31, I. Piceno 4-21, T. Savea 2-12, Jensen Cassium 2-8, Anthony Ugalino 1-6.