Steve Erler | SL

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Steve Erler | SL

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Challen Faamatau was ready, wiling and most definitely able to shoulder the load Saturday night.

The Farrington running back turned in a workmanlike effort in a 28-7 loss at Kapolei. Faamatau, a 5-foot-10, 200-pound senior carried a career-high 38 times for 130 yards.

All but a few of Faamatau's rushes were as the wildcat back as the Governors went to a ball-control offense in an attempt to shorten the game and keep the Hurricanes and their potent offense on the sidelines.

"He knew it, he was ready for it and he gave us everything he had," said Farrington coach Randall Okimoto, himself a former standout ball carrier for the Govs.

Farrington ate up large chunks of clock with the ball in Faamatau's hands. He orchestrated a nine-play drive that took nearly five minutes of game time on the Govs' first possession, but ultimately ended in a punt. In the second quarter, the Govs marched nearly 50 yards on 13 plays, including 11 runs by Faamatau, but turned it over on downs after going for it on fourth-and-8 from the Kapolei 30-yard line.

By halftime, Faamatau had carried 23 times for 65 yards.

The second half was more of the same, as he toted the rock 15 more times for 65 more yards. His longest run was a 19-yard scamper late in the third quarter.

"The kid is an iron man and he was their offense," Hurricanes coach Darren Hernandez said.

Faamatau, who has 14 total touchdowns on the year, has carried at least 21 times in five of Farrington's seven games this season. He has eclipsed the 100-yard mark in five instances, including a 30-carry, 178-yard performance in a win over Leilehua on Sept. 5.

As a junior last year, Faamatau earned Second Team All-Hawaii honors as a running back.

He is also the team's third-leading receiver this season with 18 catches for 212 yards.

After the Kapolei game Saturday, Faamatau was quick to pass the credit to his teammates and coaches.

"Our coaches warned me from the beginning of the week that I have to stay healthy, because when it comes to a game like this we're going to have to do what we do best, which is run the ball," Faamatau said. "I couldn't have done it without the man above, I couldn't have done it without the (offensive) linemen and the hard work they put in."

The loss dropped the Govs to 5-2 in the Red Division of the Oahu Interscholastic Association. They have a bye this week before starting postseason play.