Campbell comes up big late to top Leilehua

On a rainy night in Wahiawa, all Darren Johnson hoped for was one big play.

The Campbell coach got it from his defense when Tyrese Tafai upended Leilehua running back Isaiah Pillete on a toss sweep, knocking the ball loose. After teammate Stone Africa recovered the fumble, the Sabers drove 12 yards, with Tafai rumbling over the goal line from the 1 to give Campbell a the go-ahead touchdown in a 10-6 win at Hugh Yoshida Stadium on Saturday night.

Ninth-ranked Campbell (7-3) advanced to the OIA semifinals and will take on defending champion Kahuku next weekend.

“I’m going to enjoy this win tonight and worry about Kahuku on Monday,” said Johnson, a former three-sport standout and coach of the Red Raiders.

Leilehua finished the season 6-3, playing without starting quarterback Kona Andres in the final quarter. Andres suffered a leg injury during the big defensive play by Tafai and was carted off the field.

“We knew it was going to be down to the wire with two evenly matched team. Leilehua’s coaches are superb, been in it a long time,” Johnson said. “Tyrese got the big hit, we needed an opportunity. We knew we had to get it up to four points because they have a kicker.”

Tafai finished with 24 hard-earned yards on 12 carries. It was the play of Campbell’s physical, fast defense that held down the fort.

“I was all excited on the play. I didn’t even know the ball came out until my team ran to it,” Tafai, a sophomore, said. “Our line worked hard and I thank them for everything they did for me.”

It was a tough night physically for both teams. Several Mules played on nagging injuries, including James McGary (ankle), who finished with 58 yards on 12 carries. The senior came alive with gains of 14 and 16 yards on consecutive plays midway through the fourth quarter to spark a Leilehua drive, but that stalled at the Campbell 37 and the Mules opted to punt with the game still a one-possession margin.

Campbell got an explosive start from running back Jacob Covington — 44 yards on four carries — but he suffered what is likely a season-ending injury.

“Covington broke his shoulder,” Johnson reported. “Then (Viliami) Vaimoui got hurt and Tyrese had to fill in.”

Leilehua’s Akoni Tom-Makue drilled field goals of 37 and 24 yards to give the home team a 6-0 lead by halftime.

Ariel Villanueva’s 22-yard 3-pointer cut the lead in half with 6:31 to go in the third quarter.

Before the end of the third, Tafai came up with his big defensive play to give his team the ball.

Leilehua had three more possessions after falling behind, but missed opportunities. Backup Max Nichols saw one perfectly launched bomb get dropped inside Campbell territory. The Mules’ final series began with 1:14 left on their 19, but they went three-and-out against a heavy pass rush and air-tight coverage.

Campbell ran out the final 49 seconds.

“I’m just glad our team came out with the ‘W’ today,” Tafai said.