Campbell cruises past Waiakea, 48-0

Campbell CB Braden Kauhane runs back an interception against Waiakea. Kauhane had one of the Sabers' three picks in the win. Greg Yamamoto | SL

EWA BEACH — Unlike the three other Division I quarterfinal matchups, the game at Campbell Stadium was far from competitive.

Campbell posted its biggest win of the season with a 48-0 victory over Waiakea in the first round of the First Hawaiian Bank/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division I Football State Championships Friday night.

The Sabers (7-4), seeded second in the tourney, will take on third-seeded Iolani in the semifinals on Saturday, Nov. 12.

Quarterbacks Dustin Abellanida and Kawika Ulufale combined for five total scores to power the Campbell offense. Abellanida threw for 82 yards and two scores while Ulufale rushed for 18 yards and three TDs. The two signal-callers combined for 211 total yards passing.

Running back Tasi Faumui added 63 yards and two more TDs on just five carries to lead the ground game. Faumui's efforts also helped the Sabers rush for 156 total yards against the Warriors.

Leading the defense was senior defensive lineman Dominic Puaatuua with seven tackles, three for loss, a sack and a forced fumble, and junior linebacker Dane Esprecion, who had five tackles, a sack, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

The Sabers were never really challenged with a 27-0 lead after the first quarter and a 41-0 lead at halftime, but they could have been better in other areas that don't show up on the scoreboard. Campbell was penalized nine times for 116 yards, most of which came on six personal fouls.

"As we move on, the penalties is not going to help us, it's going to kill us," said Campbell coach Amosa Amosa. "That's the only thing that disturbs me. We're really going to have to talk to our kids about that. We have to clean that up. Being aggressive is one thing, and I know they play hard, but the whole second half I told them to play smart. That's what champions are all about."

The Warriors (3-9), the Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division I runner-up, showed some life in spurts against the Sabers. A pair of turnovers by the Sabers in the second quarter kept the home team on its toes and the offense was able to convert for first downs in the second half.

Waiakea coach Moku Pita was proud of his players effort. He views it as a building block for the years to come as the Warriors started nine freshmen in place of upperclassmen who were injured or on academic probation.

"I feel my team did good," he said. "I know the score is out of hand, but they didn't give up and they tried everything. Campbell is a good team. I got a of young guys, so next year and the next year after that will be better for us."

Wesley Amuimuia rushed for 71 yards on 15 carries to lead the Warriors' offense. Cheyn Tam-Switzer had an interception on Ulufale while Fafo Tevaseu and Isaiah Toledo recovered fumbles to lead Waiakea's defense.

Reach Michael Lasquero at [email protected].