It was a tough enough matchup for the Campbell Sabers, a run-and-shoot team going up against the innovative Leilehua Mules.

Then the rain fell hard just before kickoff, and it was the Mules’ night. Kenan Sadanaga passed for 249 yards and four first-half touchdowns as the Mules defeated Campbell 34-14 to seal a state-tournament berth.

A drenched crowd of about 1,000 watched at Hugh Yoshida Stadium as Sadanaga completed 21 of 33 passes.

Leilehua (9-1-1) seized third place in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red and will travel to the Big Island to face Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion Kealakehe on Friday.

Campbell closed the season 8-3, eliminated by Leilehua just one week after nearly upsetting then-No. 1 Farrington in the semifinals.

"I feel so proud of the boys and their effort tonight," Sabers coach Amosa Amosa said. "Our defense gave us opportunities, but Leilehua is a great team and the weather made it tough on us. Sadanaga made some nice sharp passes, even in the rain."

The Mules amassed eight sacks, including two by Chris Bell. Linebacker Reece Acohido stepped in and caught a touchdown pass on offense in the first quarter.

"We kept it simple and trusted each other," the senior said.

"Campbell is a very classy program," Leilehua interim head coach Mark Kurisu said. "They made Ewa proud."

Campbell finished with 158 total yards of offense, including 10-for-28 passing and 92 yards through the air.

"They took away our deep pass and crossing route all night," said Sabers receiver Keoni Piceno, who had two early receptions but was kept under wraps until the fourth quarter. "Their linebackers read our pulling guards when we tried to counter. They even went Cover 3 once. They came out prepared for us and we made too many mistakes."

Leilehua scored on its first three possessions, paying no mind to the downpour and slick synthetic turf. Sadanaga hit his first four passes, including a 26-yard strike to Jeremiah Andrade on a corner route.

Campbell fumbled away its first possession, and though the Sabers picked off Sadanaga on a diving play from Jyrelle Umali, Leilehua’s defense came up big.

A sack led to a fumble recovery by Roger Luafalemana at the Mules’ 36-yard line. Sadanaga fired strikes to Andrade and Allen Racette to march Leilehua downfield to the Campbell 10-yard line in three plays. Then the lefty found Mikal Peyton for a 10-yard touchdown pass and the Mules led 14-0 with 4:52 left in the first quarter.

On the next play from scrimmage, another Campbell fumble on an option pitch from Justin Tago-Su‘e to Paul-Andrew Rhoden was recovered by Bell. Sadanaga then hit a play-action pass to Acohido for an 11-yard touchdown pass and a 21-0 lead.

Acohido, a starting linebacker, stepped in at tight end for injured Penitito Melei.

Sadanaga sidestepped a heavy pass rush and found Larry Paas wide open in the end zone for a 27-0 lead early in the second quarter.

After Racette scored on a 1-yard run, Leilehua led 34-0 with 5:18 to go in the third quarter. Melei followed with a leaping interception on a screen pass, but the Mules missed a field-goal try late in the third.

Campbell got on the scoreboard on quarterback Isaac Hurd’s 14-yard touchdown scramble with 7:53 remaining.

A botched punt snap by Leilehua led to a fumble recovery and 16-yard scoring return by Joshua Torres with 5:58 to go.

"They’re a tough team," Sadanaga said. "There’s going to be a lot of preparation this week."