Tago-Su'e passes No. 7 Campbell past Mililani, 32-12

Campbell QB Justin Tago-Su'e tries to avoid the tackel of Mililani's Cilvin Steward. Sherwin Acidera | Special to SL

'EWA BEACH - Campbell's offense had a coming out party at homecoming in rolling over Mililani, 32-12, Friday night.

The Sabers, ranked seventh in the ScoringLive/OC 16 Football Power Rankings, amassed 412 yards of offense after some inconsistent performances the past three weeks to improve to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red West.

The Trojans, who had beaten the Sabers the previous five meetings dating to 2003, dropped to 2-3 and 1-2.

"We stepped it up this time," Tago-Su'e said. "The past couple weeks, we've been slacking too much. We were depending on the defense too much. It was time for us to show the seniors that the offense can (hold its own)."

Tago-Su'e was 11 of 20 for 202 yards with four TDs. Backup Isaac Hurd, brought in in situations when the Sabers needed to work the clock, was 5 of 5 for 46 yards.

But the key for Campbell was keeping the ball away from the quick-striking Trojans. The Sabers were able to establish a running game that tallied 164 yards from eight different ball carriers, mainly from well-executed counters.

Taking a 19-0 lead into the second half, the Sabers came out in methodical fashion, using a 17-play, 80-yard drive that consumed six minutes, 51 seconds, culminating in a five-yard TD pass from Tago-Su'e to Malik Lockett.

"That 17-play drive was tremendous," Sabers' coach Amosa Amosa said. "We took care of the ball, put some points up and took the game away. I'm so happy for our offense."

Campbell's defense played its usual self, coming up with two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and five sacks. The Sabers used an assortment of stunts to pressure Trojans' QB Jarin Morikawa, who was still a respectable 24 of 36 for 228 yards.

But Campbell turned two of the turnovers into scores. A Morikawa fumble at the Trojans' 29 set up RB Triston Bega-Pebria's one-yard TD run that put the Sabers ahead, 13-0. Jyrelle Umali's fourth-quarter interception set up the Sabers' last score of the night, Tago's nine-yard TD pass to BJ Halmos that made it 32-6.

The Sabers' defense also came up with turnovers inside its territory. Deshawn Duncan-Benson fumbled after a 20-yard reception at the Campbell 6.

But Tago-Su'e fumbled after a sack by LB Jonathan Makaiau at the Sabers' 25. But Joshua Torres intercepted Morikawa's pass in the end zone for a touchback.

The Sabers fumbled again on their ensuing series near midfield just before the half. The Trojans drove to the Sabers' 15, where they set up a 33-yard field goal attempt by Ryan Tokunaga. But sophomore lineman Toese Tia cracked through the line and blocked it with no time showing on the clock, giving the Sabers a 19-0 lead at the half.

The Sabers' pressure on Morikawa came from the perimeters, as OLB Donovan Poniatowski had two sacks, lineman Lee Maa Manu and end Amate Savusa had one each. Meanwhile, ILBs Giovanni Stevenson and Solomon Leaeno spied the running backs, Campbell defensive coordinator Wes Pacheco said. The Trojans RBs were limited to 21 yards on 12 combined carries.

"They put pressure," Mililani coach Rod York said. "They played well. Give credit to them. Coach Amosa did a great job."

The Sabers opened the second quarter with a 70-yard TD pass from Tago-Su'e to sophomore wide receiver Amosa Amosa Jr., his first for the season after having an 80-yard TD nullified by a penalty against Leilehua two weeks ago. That gave the Sabers a 19-0 lead at the half.

After the Sabers' 17-play drive that made it 25-0, Mililani finally got on the board when Morikawa hit Kaimi Wilson on a five-yard pass. But Tia blocked the PAT to keep it 25-6.

The Sabers cushioned their lead on Halmos' nine-yard TD catch with 6:42 left in the game made it 32-6.

Preston Sinn returned the ensuing kickoff 48 yards to the Sabers' 40. The Trojans eventually scored on RB Kaimi Andres-Kamakau's one-yard TD plunge with 3:17 left, making it 32-12.

Campbell fielded the ensuing pooch kickoff and played out the final 3:16 left in the game.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at [email protected].