HALAWA — No. 7 Farrington bounced back from an ugly first half and turned to its punishing ground game to beat Leilehua, 19-7 in an Oahu Interscholastic Association Red Division matchup at Aloha Stadium on Monday night.

The Govs improve to 3-1 overall after losing to Mililani last week while the Mules drop to 1-4 overall, 1-3 OIA.

The Govs totaled 320 net rushing yards and 17 rushing first downs led by Challen Faamatau who rushed for 178 yards and touchdown on 30 carries. He also led the teams in receiving with 34 yards. 

"The first half we had those little mistakes that hurt us. Second half we did a great job fixing our mistakes and moving the chains, getting first downs and the touchdowns," said Faamatau.

Bishop Rapoza did not play for undisclosed reasons according to Okimoto, so the Govs turned to Justin Uahinui, who finished with 52 yards and an interception on 8-of-19 passing.

The Farrington defense stepped up big to record five interceptions: William Rodrigues, Jr. had two, Ryota Kony, Isaiah Taumua and Iosefo Ah Ching-Noga had one each.

"The defense did a helluva job. When we made mistakes, they caught our back and got the ball back. I told our offense that, ‘When the defense makes a stop like that, we got to do the same for them'," said Faamatau.

Leilehua started at their own 45 and marched down 55 yards for the score. Facing a fourth-and-3 and following the timeout, Kaleoaloha Piceno rushed for an 11-yard gain to the Farrington 7. After another run by Piceno, he found Keanu Hirota for a 5-yard pass and Tom Makue's PAT made it, 7-0 with 3:52 left in the second quarter.

Faamatau took the kickoff return 48 yards and Uahinui found Faamatau twice for 11 yard gains and an 8 yard pass got it down to the Mules' 14. Freedom Alualu busted through tackles for the 14 yard run, but his kick was wide left as the Govs trailed, 7-6.

"The kids realize that all the mistakes we made. We talked about it and we have to play. We have to play with confidence, we cannot play with hesitation," said Farrington coach Randall Okimoto.

Farrington had their own opportunities to score in the first half, but squandered them. Uahinui took a keeper 42 yards to the Leilehua 20. However, a high snap to Faamatau for a 14-yard loss and two straight incompletions led to the Govs punting.

Kony intercepted Piceno's pass near the 21 with 57 seconds left in the half, but a personal foul penalty after the play pushed it back to the 31. Uahinui found Kingston Moses-Sanchez for a 9 yard gain and rushed for 6 yards. However, two straight incompletions and a sack by Braxton Victor for a 20-yard loss resulted in a fourth-and-30 and the Govs came away empty-handed going into halftime.

The Govs went ground-and-pound for the second half to wear down the Mules and to take time off the clock. After the Mules punted, the Govs took over on the Leilehua 37. It was all Faamatau as he caught a pass then took the direct snaps to eventually score on a 1-yard touchdown.

"We had trouble with our running game in a few games. If you notice our wildcat, slash, we call it the ‘Fat Boy'. That's why we went with that," said Okimoto.

Rodrigues, Jr. picked off Piceno for his second interception and the Govs redeemed the turnover into points. Farrington gave the rock to Faamatau for most of the scoring drive—his longest run was 25 yards. TJ Tautolo finished the drive with a 3 yard run and Blessing Umaga's PAT made it, 19-7.

"If our offense has to put me as a decoy at receiver, then the other guys get that hard 4 or 5 yards, that's what we got to do," said Faamatau. "

"The o-line, fullbacks and receivers were blocking well. The guys blocking were the key. Whoever is carrying the ball depends on all those guys blocking," said Okimoto.

Isaiah Taumua intercepted Konapiliahi Andres and the Govs ate up 4 minutes and 20 seconds of clock by running the ball. Leilehua took over on their own 34 and got down to the Farrington 11. The Mules were called for offensive passing interference and Andres' pass was deflected and intercepted by Ah Ching in the end zone.

Destry Pulawa-Lopez had an interception, Braxton Victor had a sack and Jayjay Antolin caught a team-high 49 yards for the Mules.

Up next for Farrington a road game at Castle (2-2 overall, 1-2 league) on Saturday, Sept. 10 while Leilehua will play at Kailua (2-1 overall) on the same night.