Govs rally past Kamehameha, 21-12


Scotland Smith rushed for 132 yards and one touchdown. Kent Nishimura | SL
Scotland Smith rushed for 132 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries and Jared Hakuole threw two TD passes last night to help Farrington rally past Kamehameha, 21-12, in interleague action at Kaiser Stadium.

An estimated crowd of about 1,500 watched the Governors improve to 3-0 overall, while the defending state champion Warriors fell to 2-1.

Kamehameha led, 12-7, at halftime, but Farrington took the lead for good on Hakuole's 29-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Reyes with 2:20 remaining in the third quarter. Hakuole then connected with Smith on a two-point conversion pass to make it 15-12. The Warriors threatened early in the fourth quarter, but their drive ended on an incomplete pass on fourth-and-5 from the Govs' 15, and Farrington responded with a 12-play, 85-yard scoring drive capped by Smith's TD run from 5 yards out. The extra point attempt was wide right, but two plays after the ensuing kickoff, Leland Mitchell intercepted a pass near midfield and returned it to the Kamehameha 28.

Four plays later, Tavale Masalosalo sealed the game by gaining seven yards on fourth-and-5 from the 23.

"It's a big difference from last week, especially in the second half," said Governors coach Randall Okimoto, referring to Farrington's 28-12 victory over Kaiser in which the Govs were shut out after halftime. "Our offensive line has really improved, they blocked well."

Masalosalo finished with 61 yards on 10 carries and Farrington ended the night with 226 rushing yards.

The Govs also struck from the air, with Hakuole's 28-yard touchdown strike to Toma Barrett helping them take a 7-0 lead barely four minutes into the game. The Warriors closed it to 7-6 on the first play of the second quarter when Christian Akana found Keanu Haina on a 57-yard post pattern, but the extra point attempt hit the crossbar and fell into the end zone.

Kamehameha later took a 12-7 lead on Akana's 1-yard quarterback sneak with 2:48 before halftime, but Akana fumbled and was sacked on the two-point conversion try.

The Warriors could not find the end zone again, as Farrington limited them to 99 second-half yards.

"Over the past week, we worked hard on changing our attitude," said Governors senior Justin Vele, a three-year starter at linebacker who made an interception in the first half last night. "We had to bring it up to another level this week, and we made sure we don't let up. We have to play hard all four quarters, and even overtime if we have to."

Kamehameha coach David Stant said Farrington presented a big test for his team in preparation for Saturday's Interscholastic League of Honolulu opener against Saint Louis.

"They're big, physical and quick, and their coaching staff did a great job making the right adjustments," Stant said of the Govs. "Now we have to see how we can bounce back like they did."