QB Tai-John Mizutani looks for some running room against Campbell. Mizutani threw for three TDs in the Raiders' win. Steve Erler | SL

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Fri, Nov 11, 2016 @ Mililani [ 7:30 pm ]

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Iolani

35

Campbell

12

Final	1	2	3	4	T
Iolani (5-8-0)	14	21	0	0	35
Campbell (7-5-0)	0	0	6	6	12

• Pass
• Rush
• Rec

Dustin Abillanida 109 yd 1 TD

Tai-John Mizutani 197 yd 3 TD

Kawika Ulufale 46 yd 1 TD

KJ Pascua 84 yd 2 TD

Markus Ramos 47 yd 1 TD

Rayden Kaneshiro 55 yd 2 TD

MILILANI — Iolani continues to make the most of its postseason opportunities as they picked apart Campbell, 35-12, in the semifinal nightcap of the First Hawaiian Bank/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division I Football State Championships at Mililani's John Kauinana Stadium.

The Raiders (5-7 overall) advance to play Mililani in the championship game on Friday, Nov. 18 following the Division II championship. The Sabers end the season at (7-5 overall).

"It feels good. We have new energy and new life. Losing seven games in a row is tough, but we bounced back we're excited for the opportunity," said Tai-John Mizutani.

"Iolani is a well-oiled machine. I don't care about their record. Hat's off to them, they moved the ball pretty well and slowed down our offense," said Campbell coach Amosa Amosa.

Mizutani passed for 197 yards and three touchdowns and KJ Pascua added 84 yards on 20 carries and two scores.

"We tried to put pressure on him, but the ball came out so fast and he uses his legs to extend some balls and hurt us deep," said Amosa, on Mizutani.

Iolani received the ball first and scored on their opening drive, marching 71 yards on nine plays in 2 minutes and 30 seconds, as Mizutani found Rayden Kaneshiro for a 29-yard touchdown.

"We knew it would be a tough game and our game plan was to throw the ball. They were big and athletic upfront, but that didn't faze us," said Mizutani.

"We want to get off to good starts and we came out and executed well. It's a credit to those guys and they came ready to play," said Iolani coach Wendell Look.

Iolani's secondary got three interceptions and recycled them into scores. The defense forced six total turnovers and redeemed four for 28 points. Helam Baldomero led the team with 10 tackles--two for losses and two pass break ups. 

"Our defense was huge. We knew they were going to be physical and big. Our game plan was to create turnovers and we capitalized on them fortunately. I'm proud of my defense, we stopped the run and pass," said Mizutani.

"It's been our thing was to stop the run and to play solid up front. That's been our strength. The bonus is it created turnovers for us," said Look.

The Raiders had another chance to score, but Pascua coughed up the ball and Tyrese Tafai recovered it. However, the Sabers turned it over on the next play as Jonah Buchanan recovered the fumble. Pascua rushed for a 4-yard touchdown to make it, 14-0.

Kyler Mento intercepted Kawika Ulufale, five plays later, Mizutani hooked up with Jonah Miyazawa for a 7-yard score.

Ulufale was picked off again, this time by Kaua Nishigaya. Passing interference penalties shortened the field for Iolani and Pascua added his second rushing touchdown to put the Raiders up, 28-0.

Makana Laboy intercepted Dustin Abillanida's pass and returned it to the Sabers' 38. Evan Minami made a 28-yard field goal, but Campbell was flagged for a personal foul. Three plays following the penalty, Mizutani connected with Kaneshiro again, to make it, 35-0 going into halftime.

The Sabers were penalized 15 times for 183 yards that hurt whatever momentum they had.

"The kids play hard, but they have to learn how to play smart. Iolani, that's what they do. We have to play smart and if you want to be a championship team, you have to eliminate mistakes," said Amosa.

The game went to running clock to start the third quarter but the Sabers got on the scoreboard with 1:42 remaining to put the game back to regular time. Tasi Faumui's 31-yard run helped set up Abillanida's 1-yard TD to Markus Ramos, but the pass failed. Abillanida threw for 109 yards on 15-of-27 passing and two picks.

Ulufale didn't start due to breaking team rules according to coach Amosa. Ulufale added 46 rushing yards and rushed for a 1-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter, but the 2-point conversion pass came up short. Tyrese Tafai had a team-high seven tackles and a fumble recovery and Noah Empron broke up four passes and recovered  a fumble for the Sabers' defense.