Farrington running back Challen Faamatau, above, dives over the line of scrimmage to score a 1-yard touchdown in the third quarter against Campbell. Sean Nakamura | SL

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Farrington running back Ranan Mamiya straddles into the end zone to score his third touchdown to keep the lead for the Governors over the Campbell Sabers in the third quarter. Sean Nakamura | SL

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Sat, Oct 4, 2014 @ Aloha Stadium [ 7:30 pm ]

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Campbell

27

Farrington

29

Final	1	2	3	4	T
Campbell (7-4-0)	0	20	0	7	27
Farrington (9-3-0)	3	7	19	0	29

• Pass
• Rush
• Rec

Joziah Anakalea 8 yd

Anthony Pablo 147 yd 2 TD

Ranan Mamiya 134 yd 3 TD

Terell Johnson 93 yd 1 TD

Bugsy Tui 8 yd

Jayce Bantolina 109 yd 2 TD

No. 7 Farrington overcame a 10-point halftime deficit with a 19-point third quarter to turn back No. 6 Campbell, 29-27, Saturday night at Aloha Stadium to close the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I regular season.

The Governors (6-1) secured the second seed for the OIA Division I Blue with the victory. They and top-seeded Mililani (7-0) secure first-round byes for the Division I tournament that opens Friday at school fields.

The Sabers (5-2) are the Blue's third seed and will host Red sixth seed Waipahu (1-6) either Friday or Saturday in an opening-round game.

"Experiencing last week's loss (to Mililani) and the first half to tonight's game, to see them come out in the second half, I was very proud of the way they played," Farrington coach Randall Okimoto said. "That's what we talk about. We just want them to give their best effort. Whatever the outcome happens, we will be proud of them."

Farrington celebrated homecoming with a video tribute to the late Skippa Diaz, the former Governors' who passed away Aug. 30, was shown on the stadium's video board while Farrington played its alma mater before the game. Diaz's wife, Mary Diaz, was presented a Farrington helmet as part of the halftime homecoming festivities.

"Great tribute to Coach Diaz," Okimoto said. "Just happy to win it and we can honor him tonight."

The inspired Governors opened the second half by scoring on their first two series to take a 23-20 lead. But the deciding blow came on a controversial play when 5-foot, 11-inch defensive lineman Ansen-Joe Faamasino intercepted a pass that he tipped and returned it 33 yards to the Sabers' 2 to set up RB Ranan Mamiya's third rushing TD of the game on a 2-yard run to make it 29-20.

It was a crucial score because the Sabers - aided by field position at their 49 when an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the score and forced the Governors to kickoff from their 25 - scored on their ensuing series to pull to within 2 at 9:58 left in the game.

Farrington stopped Campbell's final drive at the Govs' 34 when Faamasino deflected a fourth-down pass by Anthony Pablo to force the Sabers to lose the ball on downs with 4:01 left in the game.

Both teams were without their starting quarterbacks. Farrington's Montana Liana served a game suspension for his ejection from last week's loss at Mililani; he was spelled by Joziah Anakalea. Campbell's Ezra Savea missed a workout during the week and team policy did not allow him to play the first half, Campbell coach Amosa Amosa said. Anthony Pablo, who usually plays receiver, got the call to start for the Sabers and played the whole game.

"I was proud of the way he stepped up," Okimoto said of Anakalea, "especially the way we started. We had an anemic first half."

Faamasino's pick was big and controversial. Campbell faced second-and-10 from its 40 when Pablo's pass was tipped by Faamasino, who then gained control and raced to the Sabers' 2. At first, the play was nullified by a roughing the passer penalty against Farrington. But after discussion, the penalty was nullified when the officials determined that when the ball was tipped, that nullified the roughing the passer. So instead of Campbell getting an automatic first down at the Farrington 45, the Governors got the ball at the Sabers' 2, setting up Mamiya's 2-yard TD run.

"I just read the play," Faamasino said.

As for the call…

"It you tip the ball, everybody's live," Okimoto said, "so (the quarterback) becomes a defensive player so we can hit 'em."

"I thought because it was a personal foul, that would supersede the interception," Amosa said.

Campbell found itself down 10-0 on a 35-yard field goal by Kekoa Sasaoka in the first quarter and Mamiya's first of three TDs on a 6-yard run after he returned a punt 72 yards to the Campbell 6.

But Campbell stormed back by scoring on its next three series.

Pablo hit wide receiver Jayce Bantolina on a 35-yard TD pass on a bubble screen to pull the Sabers to 10-7.

On fourth-and-1 at midfield, Farrington ran a fake punt with blocking back Bryce Tatupu-Leopoldo taking a direct snap, but was stopped at the line of scrimmage by Tyson Tafai. The Sabers cashed in on the good field position with a 2-yard TD run by RB Austin May to give Campbell a 14-10 lead with 3:02 in the half.

Farrington punted on its ensuing series, giving Campbell the ball at the Govs' 49. The Sabers increased their lead 12 seconds before the half on Pablo's 11-yard TD to Bantolina to make it 20-10.

The Govs took the second half kickoff and scored on their first series with Challen Faamatau scoring on a 1-yard plunge. to pull Farrington to 20-17.

After Campbell punted on its ensuing series, Farrington answered with Mamiya's 36-yard TD run to give the Govs a 23-20 lead with 5:26 in the third quarter. Consecutive penalties against Campbell on the PAT allowed Farrington to try for 2. But Faamatau was stopped short of the end zone.

Campbell thought it regained the lead when May returned the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for a score, but the played was nullified by a block to the back and the Sabers took over at their 25 and eventually punted.

Farrington, though, would lose the ball on a fumble during its drive at the Campbell 40. After an incomplete pass, Faamasino's interception set up what turned out to be the game-deciding TD for Farrington.