Campbell showed just how much it relishes playing football at home with a 14-12 upset of No. 4 Waianae on Friday night.
The gritty Sabers (4-3, 4-2 Oahu Interscholastic Association Blue) used ball control on offense and stepped up a smashmouth defense to handle Waianae’s normally potent, grind-it-out attack.
A year ago, Campbell played all of its games on the road while its field was being refurbished. Now, it’s two wins in a row at home for the Sabers, who defeated Moanalua 12-6 in double overtime a week ago.
“We talked all week long about what Waianae represents,” Sabers coach Amosa Amosa said. “They come with a tradition, they come with a team that is always up there at the top. We model our program and try to be physical and run the ball like them. Knowing we had a pretty great defense, we knew we had a chance. Our defense played lights out again. They’ve been the heart and soul of our team.”
Powered by linebackers Jeremiah Leaeno, Jeremiah Tauai and Dane Esprecion and defensive end Micah Tynanes, the Campbell defense held the Seariders (6-2, 5-2) to 21 yards rushing in the first half, well below their normal output. In the second half, Waianae ran the ball on every snap but two and came back hard — and two points short.
“Both sides did a great job,” Waianae linebacker Jaylen Gonzales said. “I felt we played great. We did lose the game, but it’s just a game, man. We’ll take this bye week serious and come back strong in two weeks. Losing happens.”
The Sabers’ victory was a shocker based on the polling of statewide media outlets, which all have Waianae ranked as the second-best team in the OIA behind top-ranked Kahuku.
“We’re making good improvements every week,” Amosa said. “I’m glad the offense showed up, because in the second half, we didn’t touch the ball much and Waianae ran the whole time. I’m so happy for our kids. This is a very important game for us.”
Waianae was called for six personal fouls and the Seariders fumbled the ball away three times. The three recoveries — by Kishaun Ki, Tauai and Leaeno — turned out to be crucial plays.
Ki’s recovery led to Campbell’s first TD in the first quarter — Kawika Ulufale’s 32-yard pass to Markus Ramos.
After Leaeno’s recovery, the Sabers made it 14-0 in the second quarter on Ulufale’s 1-yard TD sneak. Tauai’s recovery ended a Waianae drive in the fourth quarter.
“We want to defend this field and keep the winning streak going here,” Ulufale said. “Playing a team like Waianae is going to be a dogfight, a close game. This is going to build a lot of confidence for us in the playoffs and however many games we play. We were eager to play this game. All week, we were talking about mental focus.”
Waianae came back with Rico Rosario TD runs of 19 and 22 yards in the third quarter, but both conversion run attempts failed. Kanai Mauga’s fumble recovery set up the second score. The Seariders’ final possession ended on four downs at their 41 with less than a minute left.
