The first-ever meeting between No. 1 Saint Louis and No. 5 Campbell turned into a business-like performance for the visiting Crusaders.
Jayden de Laura passed for 243 yards and two touchdowns, and the Crusaders got pick-6 returns from Kila Kamakawiwo‘ole and Junior Wily en route to a 55-7 victory to spoil homecoming night for the Sabers.
Saint Louis improved to 6-0 overall (5-0 ILH Open) with the efficient victory. No turnovers offensively, and four takeaways by its stellar defense.
“We just had to work hard. It starts at practice. We all work hard and listen to our coaches,” said linebacker Jordan Botelho, who recovered a Campbell fumble in the end zone for a touchdown.
Saint Louis amassed 476 yards of total offense and limited Campbell to 64 total yards. The visitors led 48-0 at the half, and the mercy-rule running clock was in play after intermission.
The Crusaders rode the sharp passing of de Laura, who completed 13 of his 17 attempts before sitting out the second half. It began, however, with defense.
Saint Louis stripped the ball from Campbell quarterback Kaniala Kalaola on a scramble and Wily returned the ball to the Campbell 42-yard line. Five plays later, de Laura ran around right end on a keeper for a 4-yard TD.
On Campbell’s second play of the next series, Kalaola’s pass was batted sky-high by defensive tackle Faatui Tuitele and hauled in by Kamakawiwo‘ole, who raced down the left sideline for a 25-yard TD return. The Crusaders led 14-0 with 6:49 left in the first quarter.
After a Campbell three-and-out, the Crusaders needed just three plays to score on a 53-yard drive. De Laura found Makana Close for a 20-yard TD, opening the margin to 21 points with 4:43 left in the opening quarter.
On the next play from scrimmage, the snap was off target and bounced backward until Botelho leaped in mid-air and snagged the pigskin in the end zone for another defensive TD. The lead was 28-0 with 4:37 left in the first quarter.
Another Campbell three-and-out led to another Saint Louis scoring drive. De Laura finished the march with consecutive passes to Koali Nishigaya, including a 21-yard catch-and-sprint down the left sideline to paydirt. Saint Louis led 35-0 with 10 seconds left in the first quarter.
GAME SUMMARY
No. 1. Saint Louis 55, No. 5 Campbell 7
At Campbell
>> Campbell (4-3, 1-1) 0 0 0 7 — 7
>> Saint Louis (6-0, 5-0) 35 13 7 0 — 55
Saint Louis — Jayden de Laura 4 run (Garyn Napuunoa kick)
Saint Louis — Kila Kamakawiwo‘ole 25 interception return (Napuunoa kick)
Saint Louis — Makana Close 20 pass from de Laura (Napuunoa kick)
Saint Louis — Jordan Botelho fumble recovery in end zone (Napuunoa kick)
Saint Louis — Koali Nishigaya 21 pass from de Laura (Napuunoa kick)
Saint Louis — Junior Wily 29 interception return (Napuunoa kick)
Saint Louis — Robbie Paikai 5 run (kick failed)
Saint Louis — Ka‘ohu Kamakawiwo‘ole 1 run (Napuunoa kick)
Campbell — Titus Mokiao-Atimalala 20 pass from Kaniala Kanaola (Jadon Arola kick)
RUSHING — Saint Louis: Connor Apo 4-74, de Laura 7-62, Chandan Sappal 1-44, Sam 4-18, Kamakawiwo‘ole 3-7, Paikai 1-5, Logan Kalawaia 1-2, AlexanderBianco 1-(minus 6). Campbell: Sky Lactaoen 15-49, Viliami Vaimoui 3-5, Peter Manuma 2-5, Chasen Torres 1-1 Kaniala Kalaola 5-(minus-5), Team 2-(minus-28).
PASSING — Saint Louis: de Laura 13-17-0-243, Apo 4-6-0-25, Bianco 2-2-0-2. Campbell: Kanaola 2-8-2-41.
RECEIVING — Saint Louis: Nishigaya 4-78, Close 3-55, Chance Beyer 3-30, Tama Albert Sula 3-24, Matthew Sykes 2-69, Makena Ramos-Kamaka 1-10, Keanu Wallace1-4, Lexzen-Rhain Ramos-Kamaka 1-2, Ikalewa Paaoao 1-(minus-2). Campbell: Titus Mokiao-Atimalala 2-41.
* JV — Saint Louis 28, Campbell 15
