Campbell senior Isaac Hurd had a chance to redeem himself and make history — all in the same night.
The Sabers quarterback rushed for three touchdowns and threw for another to lead Campbell to a 28-7 victory over Kahuku in the OIA Red third-place game on Saturday night at John Kauinana Stadium.
The Sabers (8-3) will play in their first state-tournament game at the Division I level when they travel to the Big Island on Friday to play BIIF champion Hilo in the first round.
“Tonight was a historical night for our program,” coach Amosa Amosa said.
Amosa took the Sabers to the Division II state final in his first season in 2008.
Campbell moved up to the OIA Red the following year and finally has qualified for states in Division I after losing in the same third-place game to Leilehua two years ago.
“I had a good feeling this week. It wasn’t like two years ago when we played Leilehua,” Amosa said. “We talked about what a great opportunity this was and looked to our seniors to step up.
No senior stepped up bigger than Hurd, who was shut down in a 7-0 loss to Farrington last Friday in the semifinals.
Hurd was held to a season-low 65 passing yards against the Govs as Campbell was shut out for the first time since 2010.
He bounced back against the Red Raiders, completing 21 of 30 passes for 169 yards.
He also rushed 14 times for 40 yards and three second-half scores as Campbell scored the final 21 points in the game.
“We wanted this real bad because we knew we could make history with this,” Hurd said. “Our seniors didn’t want this season to be over yet because we have some more things we need to do.
While Campbell will play in the Division I state tournament for the first time, Kahuku will not advance to states for just the fourth time in 15 years since the tournament was created in 1999.
The Red Raiders will not defend their back-to-back state titles as they finish the season 6-5, losing three of their final four games.
That was the last thing on the mind of Kahuku coach Reggie Torres after the game, who was emotional after receiver Kuuliko Carvalho had to be taken off the field by an ambulance in the third quarter.
The game was delayed nearly 40 minutes after Carvalho took a brutal hit running a route over the middle on a third-and-long play.
Campbell’s Jerney Tago-Sue leveled a defenseless Carvalho and wasn’t whistled for a penalty on the play. To Tago-Sue’s credit, he checked on Carvalho immediately before slowly walking toward the Campbell bench as coaches ran out to check on the Kahuku receiver.
Carvalho stayed on the field for nearly 30 minutes as trainers and family members stood by his side.
Torres said Carvalho was spitting up blood, but was moving. He was able to give a thumbs-up sign as he was put into the ambulance.
“It’s a serious situation,” Torres said. “He’s a player that is beloved by all of his teammates and I know (the hit) wasn’t on purpose. It happens, it’s football.
“It was emotional, we had kids crying on the field, but we did our best to try and get the kids to refocus.”
The Red Raiders failed to mount a rally as Campbell dominated the second half. Quarterback Tuli Wily-Matagi, who was as shaken up as any Kahuku player after the hit, finished 16-for-45 for 140 yards and three interceptions as he tried to pass his team back into the game.
Kahuku was held to 67 rushing yards on 29 carries.
| Kahuku (6-5) |
0 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
— |
7 |
| Campbell (8-3) |
7 |
0 |
6 |
15 |
— |
28 |
Camp—Amosa Amosa Jr. 21 pass from Isaac Hurd (Bryson Maximo kick)
Kah—Kuuliko Carvalho 4 pass from Tuli Wily-Matagi (Jacob Samsel kick)
Camp—Hurd 4 run (kick blocked)
Camp—Hurd 1 run (Hurd pass from Kainoa Perry)
Camp—Hurd 10 run (Maximo kick)
RUSHING—Kahuku: Soli Afalava 16-35, Polikapo Liua Jr. 7-25, Wily-Matagi 6-7. Campbell: Hurd 14-40, Austin May 9-27, Galuega Castro 4-24, Kona Reiny-Alo 2-13, Justin Rodriguez 1-3, Abiel Taito 1-(minus 2), team 2-(minus 32).
PASSING—Kahuku: Wily-Matagi 16-45-3-140, Afalava 0-1-0-0. Campbell: Hurd 21-30-0-169.
RECEIVING—Kahuku: Carvalho 4-27, Marques Johnson 3-32, John James Fely-Kawaauhau 3-27, Huleia Naeole 2-30, Wilton Cravens 2-12, Liua Jr. 1-8, Pupi Siilata 1-4. Campbell: Amosa Amosa Jr. 5-58, Perry 5-42, Jayce Bantonlina 4-30, May 3-3, Castro 2-17, Jerome Masiclat 1-11, Keola Himan 1-8.
