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Michael Lasquero | ScoringLiveOctober 7, 2023, 10:31pm
Sat, Oct 7, 2023 @ Kahuku [ 6:30 pm ]
KAHUKU — The anticipated meeting between the top two ranked teams in the state proved one thing:
Kahuku is still No. 1.
The Red Raiders jumped out to an early 19-0 lead and never looked back as they bested second-ranked Campbell, 38-7, in an OIA Open Division game Saturday night at Carleton E. Weimer Field.
With Leilehua forfeiting next week's interdivisional matchup, Kahuku improved to 9-1 overall and finished the regular season with a 6-0 record in OIA play. The Red Raiders will be the top seed from Group A in the league's Open Division playoffs.
Vaaimalae Fonoti paved the way with three first-half touchdowns to power Kahuku's hot start. The senior running back finished with 189 yards on the ground on 24 carries as he shouldered the load with starting quarterback Tuli Tagovailoa-Amosa out with an injury that he sustained a week ago.
Backup signal-caller Sitani Suguturaga didn't have to do much, but was still effective on 6-for-6 passing for 55 yards and a late 23-yard TD pass to Aiden Manutai for the final points of the night.
"With Tuli hurt, everybody else stepped up," said Kahuku coach Sterling Carvalho. "Sitani did a great job tonight, our defense always plays great. Just proud of these boys, but we know we're going to see Campbell again. Campbell is a great team. We know we're going to see them again at the end. We're just proud that we finished the season perfect."
The Red Raiders set the tone on the opening kickoff.
Sophomore linebacker Chauncy Alo laid a big hit on the Campbell kick returner to force a fumble that was recovered by Toa Tufele to give Kahuku possession in great field position. Fonoti punched it in a few plays later to make it a 6-0 game two minutes into the contest.
"That set the tone right from the beginning, that was a statement type of hit," said Carvalho. "This is what we do. We hit hard, we play great special teams and defense and tonight that set the tone."
Kahuku's defensive game plan also took the Sabers' offense out of rhythm.
The Red Raiders went away from their base single-high safety look and used a two-safety coverage shell to help combat against Campbell quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, who leads all of the Open Division in passing yards. With less defenders in the box, the Sabers often checked out of a pass play into a run play to take what the defense gave them.
"That's the thing, if we can get the ball out of Jaron's hands, we won already," said Carvalho. "If we can keep the ball out of his hands and make somebody else try to run and beat us, that's what we wanted."
Campbell (6-2, 4-1) was able to move the ball down the field with timely runs and a few penalties against Kahuku, but the Red Raiders' defense kept a lid on things once it got into the red zone as the Sabers turned it over on downs twice while deep inside Kahuku territory in the first half.
"I knew if we were all was coming out firing on all cylinders we would be victorious," said Fonoti.
A strong running game led by Fonoti also kept the ball out of Sagapolutele's hands as Kahuku possessed the ball for 28 minutes and 43 seconds. The senior running back's longest run of the day went for 44 yards on Kahuku's second scoring drive. The possession was a 5-play, 74-yard drive, all runs by Fonoti, which included a 5-yard TD run.
"Malae, he deserves everything he does, but you cannot praise Malae without praising the offensive line as well," said Carvalho. "In tandem they did the job tonight."
Fonoti went down with an injury late in the third quarter after running for a first down and getting dropped at the Campbell 4-yard line. He was able to walk off on his own power and did not see another carry, but he should be available in Kahuku's next game.
"Just minor, I'll be good for tomorrow," laughed Fonoti.
Kaimana Carvalho capped the possession with a 1-yard TD run to make it a 25-7 game with 2:54 to play in the third quarter. He also tried to run in the ensuing 2-point try, but was ruled short. Carvalho was however ejected for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the try. The Red Raiders plan to appeal the suspension after reviewing video on the sideline.
With Fonoti and Carvalho out of the game, Kahuku turned to Damon Lauaki and Sheadon Kanoa to close out the night. Lauaki churned out 38 yards on nine carries while Kanoa ran four times for 56 yards and a 39-yard TD run after coming back from an ankle injury.
"That was great, great to see," Fonoti said of Lauaki and Kanoa. "I kept reminding them to stay locked in, stay warm because you never know when you'll get the opportunity to show out and they did, 100 percent."
Other standouts for Kahuku include Madden Soliai, who came up with a fourth quarter interception. Malosi Fiatoa, Ben Roberts and Sione Pasi also each had a sack to help lead the defense.
The Sabers' lone score of the game came on a 12-yard TD pass by Sagapolutele to Rustin Abang with 17 seconds remaining in the first half. The scoring drive came after Kahuku had to punt for the first time.
Senior safety Breez "Kela" Moore led the Campbell defense with 12 total tackles, 10 solo.
The Sabers will wrap up regular season play when they host Moanalua in a 4 p.m. contest next Saturday.
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