Football
Leaeno wearing out offenses like his uncle




EWA BEACH - On the surface, Campbell's 56-21 win at Radford Saturday night might have looked like an offensive onslaught.

But the most consistent threat was the Sabers' defense, which came up with six interceptions and two sacks. Having yet another difference-making performance was junior linebacker Solomon Leaeno. He had seven tackles, two for lost yardage, one of them a sack, and returned an interception for a touchdown.

Leaeno's 33-yard interception return for a score was his second pick six of the season. And it was not fluke.

By reading an offensive lineman's stance, Leaeno was able to anticipate a pass play. His assignment was the running back coming out of the backfield.

"I just stepped in front of him," said Leaeno, who is 5 feet 10 and 210 pounds.

Such instincts doesn't surprise Campbell coach Amosa Amosa.

"He's a student of the game," Amosa said of Leaeno.

Amosa also credits linebackers coach Vince Nihipali and defensive coordinator Wes Pacheco for helping develop Leaeno, who played on the varsity last year as a sophomore.

On top of that, Leaeno's inherited some good genes. His uncle is former University of Hawaii lineman Jerry Leaeno, who also played for the semi-pro Hammerheads indoor team. He also was The Honolulu Advertiser's Defensive Player of the Year in 1992, when he was a junior at Campbell.

"He was a really good player," the younger Leaeno said of his uncle. "He was a beast."

Jerry Leaeno was 6-2, 260 pounds when he was a junior at Campbell. But he would pursue any ball carrier anywhere on the field. A trait that Solomon has picked up. Solomon, as well as fellow linebacker Giovanni Stevenson, are always near the ball and wreaking havoc on opponents.

At 2-1 in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red West, the Sabers will now face one of the better passing teams in the league in Mililani. Campbell's homecoming on Friday will be televised on OC16.

"It's a big game," Solomon Leaeno said. "Everybody's still doubting us. The boys will be ready for this game."

Other top performances:

Leilehua WR Jeremiah Andrade had 9 receptions for 100 yards and 3 TDs against 'Aiea.

Farrington WR Toma Barrett had 3 receptions for 123 yards and 1 TD against Kailua.

Pearl City WR Daiccori Briscoe had 5 reception for 171 yards and 2 TDs against McKinley.

Kamehameha QB Cid Camase-Stevens passed for 93 yards and 2 TDs and rushed for 2 more TDs against Damien.

Baldwin QB Keelan Ewaliko passed for 81 yards and 2 TDs and rushed for 107 yards and 2 TDs against Kamehameha-Maui.

Kahuku RB Mahonilai Fakatou rushed for 61 yards and 3 TDs against Roosevelt.

Honokaa RB Hao Faumuina rushed for 321 yards on 22 carries, including six TDs against Kohala.

'Iolani QB Reece Foy passed for 392 yards and 4 TDs against Punahou.

Radford KR Krix Hughley had 2 kickoff returns for TD (95 and 83 yards) against Campbell.

Kalaheo RB Cristian Johnson rushed for 111 yards and 1 TD against Kalani.

Kalani WR Gavin Kim had 7 receptions for 155 yards and 2 TDs and also had a 70-yard kickoff return for TD.

Kaimuki RB Brandon Kekoa rushed for 103 yards and 1 TD against Nanakuli.

Punahou RB Steven Lakalaka rushed for 162 yards and 2 TDs against 'Iolani.

King Kekaulike DB Kepa Luat-Hueu returned an interception 17 yards for arn TD and rushed for one as an RB for 85 yards against Maui.

Baldwin RB Vetekina Malafu rushed for 94 yards and 1 TD against Kamehameha-Maui.

Wai'anae RB Jaylen Mitchell rushed for 92 yards and 1 TD against Kapolei.

Saint Louis QB Kawai Mook-Garcia passed for 228 yards and two TDs and rushed for another against Pac-Five.

Kalaheo WR Derick Morgan had 11 receptions for 288 yards and 3 TDs against Kalani.

'Iolani WR Tanner Nishioka had 7 receptions for 91 yards and 3 TDs against Punahou.

Pearl City QB Kaimi Paredes passed for 303 yards and 4 TDs and added 74 rushing yards against McKinley.

Kalani QB David Rasmussen passed for 337 yards and 3 TDs against Kalaheo.

Kalani WR Talon Sismar had 7 receptions for 123 yards against Kalaheo.

Campbell LB Giovanni Stevenson had five tackles, one for lost yardage, and an interception against Radford.

Waipahu WR Dylan Taii had 3 receptions for 113 yards and 1 TD against Waialua.

Farrington RB Tyler Taumua rushed for 154 yards against Kailua.

Campbell DB Josh Torres had four tackles and an interception against Radford.

Moanalua QB Dillon Turk passed for 203 yards and 4 TDs against Kaiser.

Pac-Five DB Drew Viena had two interceptions, returning one 49 yards for a TD, against Saint Louis.

Kapaa PK TJ West kicked field goals of 37, 31 and 28 yards, plus two PATs, against Waimea.

Campbell DB Romelo Wilson had two interceptions, broke up three passes and had a sack against Radford.



Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at [email protected].




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