Campbell rallies past Mililani in closing moments to secure state berth

Campbell quarterback Brayden Medeiros (4) rushed to the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown with 58 seconds left in the OIA Open Division third place game against Mililani at Farrington's Edward 'Skippa' Diaz Stadium at Kusunoki Field. CJ Caraang | SL

With scoring at a premium in a defensive slugfest, Campbell's offense turned the tide, rallying in the closing moments to post a 14-10 win over Mililani, in the OIA Open Division third place game.

The win secured the Sabers its seventh straight appearance in the postseason, while halting that same streak for the Trojans' at six.

"That was the goal, to get us back in (to states), where anyone can win this," said Campbell head coach Darren Johnson of the win.

Medeiros completed 13 of 25 passes for 147 yards, none bigger than the 38 yard completion to Zayne Pasion that set up the Sabers in prime position at the Trojans' 13 with 1:30 left in regulation.

"Just trust Zayne," said Medeiros of that play. "Trust Zayne, trust the offense and trust each other. That's what we did on that last drive."

On the very next play, Medeiros rolled out to the right and somehow managed to trot his way across the goal line for the go-ahead score.

"He's the slowest guy on the team and he outran everybody," Johnson joked. "But it was a great thing, it was just quarterback's intuition."

"They all tease me that I'm slow, but no one was going to expect it because everyone knows I'm not a runner," laughed Medeiros in retort of his coach. "I just had to show off the wheels for one play."

Mililani got the ball back with just under a minute to play and managed to drive the ball to the Campbell 36, but from there the Sabers' defense took control, forcing an incompletion and then registering a sack to force the Trojans to a final play with a touchdown as the only possible outcome.

On that last gasp play, the Trojans got the ball to the speedy Bless Hanalei Cabrera-Hopkins, but he was only able to evade so many defenders before getting tackled harmlessly inside the 20 yard line to end it.

Both teams combined for just over 400 yards of total offense, and averaged just 1.7 yards per rush. The game featured a combined 16 tackles for loss, eight sacks, two interceptions and 15 pass breakups.

Jaedon Pablo had five of those pass breakups and added four total tackles and Tevita Paongo led the Sabers' front line with two sacks.

A scoreless first quarter saw finally Campbell finally breaking through with Brayden Medeiros connecting with Brystin Sansano on a perfect 10 yard strike to make it 7-0 with 2:47 left until halftime.

Mililani, stifled for much of the half, finally found some life on its final drive of the second quarter, moving the ball to the Sabers 14 yard line before settling for a 31 yard field goal by Pookel Tom-Makue to close out the quarter.

With Kekoa Koong under center after starter Dallas Carter needed to leave the contest after a big hit, the Trojans finally hit paydirt with 8:37 left in the fourth, as Luke VanAntwerp hauled in a four yard fade from Koong to put the Trojans in front for the first time.

With just under three minutes to play in the fourth, a blocked punt by Campbell's Vilitalitaga Mareko was recovered by what appeared to be a Sabers player, who then lost possession of the ball, which was ultimately recovered by Mililani. After a lengthy discussion, it was ruled a fumble by Campbell and possession was awarded back to the Trojans.

That turn of events ultimately proved to be just the spark Campbell needed, as its fired up defense forced a three and out which set up the eventual game-winning drive.