Mililani's McKenzie Milton carries the ball in a game against Farrington. Evan Asato | SL

×

111213_IMG_1343.jpg - Evan Asato | SL

Purchase this image
4x5 5x7 8x10 image download

Will the third time be the charm for Mililani?

Or will the second be the same for Campbell?

The Trojans (10-1) and Sabers (9-3) will meet in the First Hawaiian Bank Division I state tournament semifinals, 4:30 p.m. Friday at Hawaiian Airlines Field at Aloha Stadium. The game will be televised live on OC 16.

The O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red champion Trojans, second in the ScoringLive/OC 16 Division I Power Rankings, have never advanced past the semifinals of the First Hawaiian Bank Division I state football tournament in two previous tries, the latest being last year in a 49-19 loss to Punahou.

The No. 6 Sabers, on the other hand, are hoping for a change of fortune in their second meeting with the Trojans this season. Mililani won the regular-season meeting, 42-21.

The foes are very familiar with each other as representatives of the Red West.

"When we play each other, we throw the records out," Trojans' fourth-year coach Rod York said. "We know what they do; they know what we do. It's just about whoever executes better."

It was a tale of two halves in their last meeting. The Sabers jumped to a 21-7 lead at the half and the Trojans responded with 35 unanswered points in the second half.

"We have to play (well) all four quarters, rather than one big half," Campbell's sixth-year coach Amosa Amosa said.

Turnovers hurt the Trojans in the first half of that game, including a 100-yard interception return by Solomon Matautia.

"If we take care of the turnovers, do what we do, we'll do OK," York said. "But at the same time, it's going to be tough because they know what we do."

The Sabers' offense is powered by quarterback isaac Hurd, a running and passing threat. He can scramble to buy time to throw or just tuck the ball in when no one is open. He passed for a season-high 375 yards in Friday's quarterfinal win against Hilo.

"I believe that Hurd is a whole lot better now," York said. "I believe that offense is clicking more. We watched him in Hilo and he was bombing away."

Hurd is second in Division I with 2,480 yards passing.

Amosa said the Sabers need to sustain longer drives and avoid the three downs and punt.

"I think the key is to keep their offense off the field," Amosa said. "We have to get a running game going and get better protection because I'd like to throw the ball a little bit more."

Aside from Hurd, the Sabers' best runner from the back field is tailback Austin May, who hasn't had a 100-yard rushing game this season. He came close with 99 against McKinley in the OIA Red quarterfinals.

The Sabers will have to contend against one of the best defenses in the state, led by linebackers Dayton Furuta, Kaimana Wilson and Jacob Afele, and linemen Keli'i Padello, Tamatoa Silva, Blake Kondo and Rex Manu.

"Their front seven, you have to be able to control," Amosa said of the Trojans.

The Trojans have a high-powered balanced offense led by a pair of sophomores in quarterback McKenzie Milton and running back Vavae Malepeai.

Milton also is a running and passing threat. He is 104 of 171 for 1,329 yards with 13 TDs to four interceptions. His favorite target has been Campbell transfer Bronson Ader, who leads his team with 55 receptions for 585 yards.

Malepeai provides the necessary balance with his shifty and power running. He is second in Division I with 1,241 yards.

The Sabers defense is led by linebackers Waylen Lindsey, Matautia, Guy Silva, Unity Kea Cambra and Jerney Tago-Su'e, as well as linemen Toese Tia, Josiah Mageo and Jeff Tuuga.

The winner will make history for its school, as neither has reached the Division I championship. Campbell won its only appearance in the Division II championship in 2004.