Almost a year after leading the Campbell Sabers to the inaugural state flag football championship, coach Will Naboa said he has been placed on leave. The Sabers are in the middle of the 12-team Oahu Interscholastic Association tournament, where the top six teams earn state berths.

Naboa said he was placed on leave sometime last week. The Sabers began defense of their state crown with Thursday night's OIA first-round win against McKinley, 55-0, at Farrington. Naboa was not present. Varsity II coach Chantelle Bermoy said she is serving as interim coach.

Campbell athletic director Rory Pico said he could not comment while an investigation is ongoing.

"I'm still in the dark," Naboa said when asked why he was placed on leave. "I wasn't given a reason. Someone alleged something."

Naboa said he hopes to be reinstated soon.

The Sabers, third in the West, advanced to Friday's quarterfinals against East second-seeded Castle at 5:30 p.m. at Moanalua. In the nightcap,  East champion Moanalua will play Mililani, which beat Kaimuki, 60-6, Thursday night at Kahuku.

In quarterfinals to be held at Waianae, West 2 Nanakuli will play Kahuku at 5:30 p.m., and West champion Waianae will face Leilehua at 7 p.m.