Farrington's Sanele Lavatai drags a Moanalua defender on a carry. Peter Caldwell | SL

×

092113_1309_Moa-Farr_208.JPG - Peter Caldwell | SL

Purchase this image
4x5 5x7 8x10 image download

Farrington bounced back from a first half deficit to top Moanalua, 41-38, in an OIA Red East matchup. The win keeps the Governors undefeated in league play at 4-0 while the Na Menehune drop to 2-3.

"These guys have a lot of faith in one another. Right now we're playing for playoff position and taking one game at a time. Of course we want that first-round bye in the playoffs and that's we're looking for and it was a must win game tonight," said Farrington coach Randall Okimoto.

Farrington running back Sanele Lavatai rushed for 284 yards on 32 carries and 2 touchdowns. The Govs finished the game with 330 net rushing yards. 

"The offensive line, without them he wouldn't be able to get it done. I think that group of guys are starting to mesh and play Farrington football," said Okimoto.

Bryce Tatupu-Leopoldo scored 3 touchdowns, all in the third quarter to rally the Govs from their deficit.

Moanalua quarterback Micah Kaneshiro went 33-of-62 passing for 475 yards, 3 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.

"There were times where we couldn't hold them and they do a good job in their passing game, give credit to them, but our guys made some big plays," said Okimoto.

The Govs got on the scoreboard first with a 28-yard field goal from Kekoa Sasaoka.

The Na Menehune used some trickery to score as Rodson Kealohi took the direct snap and pitched it back to Chad Aragon who threw it to Kaneshiro for a 1-yard touchdown.

After Moanalua's Ratu Mafileo sacked Farrington quarterback Montana Liana and Jerek Pavao recovered the fumble, Kaneshiro connected with Jason Sharsh for a 7-yard touchdown and then heaved a 65-yard touchdown to Aragon following a Govs' three-and-out to push the Na Menehune lead to 21-3.

"We played to our fullest potential in the first half and in the second half, we laid an egg," said Moanalua coach Arnold Martinez.

The Govs responded to end the half, however, as Sanele Lavatai rushed for a 60-yard touchdown and the Govs trailed 21-10 going into halftime.

Moanalua added a 26-yard field goal from Thomas Sheridan to put them up by 2 touchdowns.

Bryce Tatupu-Leopoldo single handedly brought the Govs back with 3 touchdowns of his own. He rushed for a 2-yard touchdown and after a very short punt, he scooped up the ball and returned it 15-yards for the score. Tatupu-Leopoldo also intercepted Kaneshiro and took it to the end zone for a 61 yard score. After the two-point conversion from Jathen Chaffin to Manly Williams, the Govs took the lead, 31-24.

"We have been having good third quarters so the guys are confident in that time, but we have to do better starting off the game. It's something we have to work on," said Okimoto.

"We always have great effort and heart, but mentally we need to make better decisions. Otherwise you give games away. We're up 2 scores and we gave it away in the third: a punt for a touchdown and a pick-six right after," said Martinez.

The Na Menehune tied the game back up at 31 after Kaneshiro passed it to Lambert for a 5-yard touchdown.

Sasaoka added another field goal from 27-yards out to put the Govs up, 34-31.

Moanalua took back the lead, 38-34 after Rodson Kealohi ran it in for a 3-yard touchdown. The Na Menehune only had two rushing attempts all game.

Lavatai punched in a 7-yard touchdown to put the Govs back up, 41-38.

Facing a 4th-and-20, Kaneshiro was intercepted by Roger "Tre" Boyd and the Govs were able to run out the clock.