Justin Tago-Su‘e didn’t execute the play quite as it was designed.
The end result was exactly what the Campbell quarterback hoped for.
With the Sabers trailing Leilehua by six in overtime, Tago-Su‘e’s bit of improvisation led to an 18-yard touchdown pass to Amosa Amosa Jr. to tie the game. Tyler Subia’s extra point then sparked a wild homecoming celebration as the Sabers pulled out a 35-34 win over the Mules.
“This means a lot for our players, who played their hearts out,” Tago-Su‘e said following the Sabers’ final home game of the regular season.
“This is our last homecoming night and I wanted to go out on a good note.”
Campbell built a 28-6 lead early in the third quarter, only to see Leilehua rally and tie the game with 1:16 left in regulation on Justin Jenks’ third touchdown pass of the game and Keoni Piceno’s 2-point conversion run.
The Mules converted a fourth-down on their way to opening overtime with a 1-yard touchdown run by Ikaika Piceno. But the extra-point attempt went wide to leave the lead at 6.
On Campbell’s second play of its overtime possession, head coach Amosa Amosa called a play for Tago- Su‘e to take the ball to the right.
Instead, Tago-Su‘e was pressured to the left. Just when it looked like he’d be stopped for a loss he pulled up and lofted a throw to the end zone to Amosa Jr., for the tying touchdown.
“That play I consider a blown play,” said Tago-Su‘e, who completed just four passes but two for touchdowns. “This whole night I had happy feet, trying to run instead of being calm in the pocket.
“I just remembered when I was running the ball to look downfield and I saw AJ wide open.”
It looked like it might be a heartbreaking homecoming for the Sabers after Jenks rallied the Mules from the 22-point deficit.
Campbell led 14-6 at halftime, then scored twice in the first 3 minutes of the third quarter and led 28-6 after Canaan Saole returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown.
Jenks threw two touchdown passes over the next 2:29, with a successful onside kick sandwiched between.
The Mules saw two more scoring opportunities end with interceptions near the Campbell goal line. Leilehua had one more chance when the defense stopped Campbell at the Mules 11 with 3:37 left. Jenks then went 7-for-8 on the drive and connected with Nick Rodriguez on a 25-yard touchdown pass with 1:16 left.
After four timeouts and four penalties delayed the 2-point conversion attempt, Keoni Piceno, a transfer from Campbell, finally tied the game with his run around the left side.
The Mules took five plays to score on their possession to open overtime. But Campbell took advantage of their final opportunity and Subia’s kick provided the deciding point.
“Tyler has been clutch,” Amosa Amosa said. “You talk about automatic. What a big kick he had.”
Jenks finished with 302 passing yards — 118 going to Rodriguez — and three touchdown passes against three interceptions. He also ran for the Mules’ first score of the game.
“To our kids’ credit, they keep fighting back and played hard to the end; it’s just Campbell made one more play than we did,” Leilehua coach Nolan Tokuda said.
Campbell’s ground game powered the Sabers to a score on the game’s opening possession. Paul-Andrew Rhoden’s 36-yard run on the game’s second play from scrimmage highlighted the 11-play drive, which he finished with a 3-yard touchdown run.
Leilehua’s first three possessions ended with a fumble, a punt and an interception. But the Mules defense snagged two interceptions, with the second setting up a nine-play, 55-yard march with quarterback Justin Jenks scoring on a 1-yard sneak. The extra point was blocked and Campbell retained a 7-6 lead.
Campbell extended the lead with 17 seconds left in the half when backup quarterback Isaac Hurd lofted a pass to Jayce Bantolina for a 33-yard touchdown pass and a 14-6 halftime lead.
| At Campbell H.S. |
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LEILEHUA (4-2, 2-2) 0 6 14 8 6 — 34
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| CAMPBELL (5-2, 3-2) 7 7 14 0 7 — 35 |
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| Camp—Paul-Andrew Rhoden 3 run (Tyler Subia kick) |
| Lei—Justin Jenks 1 run (kick blocked) |
| Camp—Jayce Bantolina 33 pass from Isaac Hurd (Subia kick) |
| Camp—Brannon Bantolina 51 pass from Justin Tago-Su’e (Subia kick) |
| Camp—Canaan Saole 50 interception return (Subia kick) |
| Lei—Keoni Piceno 15 pass from Jenks (Ikaika Piceno pass from Jenks) |
| Lei—Andrew Sesepasara 10 pass from Jenks (kick failed) |
| Lei—Nick Rodriguez 25 pass from Jenks (Keoni Piceno run) |
| Lei—Ikaika Piceno 1 run (kick failed) |
| Camp—Amosa Amosa Jr. 18 pass from Tago-Su’e (Subia kick) |
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| RUSHING—Leilehua: Ikaika Piceno 12-44, Abel Miller 3-18, Jus. Jenks 9-(-34). Campbell: Rhoden 18-108, Triston Pebria 8-71, Justin Tago-Su’e 10-30, Hurd 4-4, Brannon Bantolina 2-(-4). |
| PASSING—Leilehua: Jenks 30-47-3-302, Levi Castanares 0-2-1-0. Campbell: Tago-Su’e 4-12-3-85, Hurd 3-4-0-31. |
| RECEIVING—Leilehua: Rodriguez 8-118, Piceno 6-43, Tristin Kamaka 4-36, Josh Jenks 4-36, Shai Pulawa 2-27, K. Sesepasara 2-21, I. Piceno 2-12, Conrad Supnet 2-9. Campbell: J. Bantolina 9-44, Amosa 3-21, B. Bantolina 1-51. |
| Junior varsity—Campbell 49, Leilehua 19 |
No. 4 Mililani 45, Kapolei 0
Jarin Morikawa completed 25 of 41 passes for 330 yards and four touchdowns as the Trojans beat the Hurricanes.
Mililani’s Dakota Turner caught three passes — all for touchdowns — and Ekolu Ramos also caught a touchdown pass.
Preston Sinn had five catches for 112 yards.
| At Mililani |
KAPOLEI (3-3, 1-3) 0 0 0 0 — 0
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| MILILANI (5-1, 3-1) 14 19 6 6 — 45 |
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| Mil—Dayton Furuta 2 run (Mark Matas kick) |
| Mil—Jarin Morikawa 11 run (Matas kick) |
| Mil—Dakota Turner 19 pass from Morikawa (kick failed) |
| Mil—Ekolu Ramos 46 pass from Morikawa (run failed) |
| Mil—Turner 7 pass from Morikawa (Matas kick) |
| Mil—Turner 14 pass from Morikawa (kick failed) |
| Mil—Morikawa 13 run (kick failed) |
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RUSHING—Kapolei: Jacob Kukahiko 9-44, Aizon Kahana 9-28, Dylan Keomaka 4-23, Mitchell Moses 4-17, Mana Reis 1-7, Kaimana Bunker 1-7, TEAM 1-3, Alton Julius 1-(-5). Mililani: Kamalii Olayan-Keawe 1-17, Antonio Boles 2-13, Morikawa 6-8, Furuta 2-4.
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| PASSING—Kapolei: Kahana 3-11-0-14, Julius 2-4-0-20. Mililani: Morikawa 25-41-0-330. |
| RECEIVING—Kapolei: Moses 3-23, Keomaka 1-6, Ohaiali‘i 1-5. Mililani: Preston Sinn 5-112, Ramos 5-62, Turner 3-40, Kainoa Wilson 2-59, Dustin Camarillo 2-15, Colton Dayacos-Gaspar 2-11, Ryan Reedy 1-12, Erren Jean-Pierre 1-10, Boles 1-5, Olayan-Keawe 1-5, Zach Suyat 2-(-1). |
| Junior varsity—Mililani 42, Kapolei 21 |
