Farrington coach Randall Okimoto raises his fist in celebration as the rest of the Governors' sideline erupt after the team's win over Kapolei. Steve Erler | SL

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Sat, Oct 22, 2016 @ Aloha Stadium [ 7:30 pm ]

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Farrington

33

Kapolei

27

Final	1	2	3	4	T
Farrington (8-4-0)	0	7	7	19	33
Kapolei (10-3-0)	7	7	6	7	27

• Pass
• Rush
• Rec

Taulia Tagovailoa 319 yd 3 TD

Bishop Rapoza 237 yd 3 TD

Josh Kansana 37 yd

Challen Faamatau 93 yd

Isaiah Ahana 171 yd 2 TD

Tanielu Alaivanu-Afe 153 yd 2 TD

HALAWA—With the game on the line, Challen Faamatau wanted to step up to show he can be more than a runner.

The senior running back threw the game-winning score to Kingsley Moses-Sanchez to rally Farrington past Kapolei, 33-27 in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I semifinals at HTFCU Field at Aloha Stadium on Saturday.

"Some people tease him that he can't throw the ball. He comes up big, not even looking to his first read, he goes to his second read for the touchdown pass," said Farrington coach Randall Okimoto.

"There's no words to describe it. It was a play action and I rolled out and thought they covered it good, so I was about to run. Then I saw Kingsley on the backside and came back inside and with God's strength, I threw the ball and happily it landed in the end zone," said Faamatau, on his first completion of the season.

The Govs (8-2 overall), avenged an earlier loss to the Hurricanes on Sept. 24 and advances to the OIA title game for the first time since 2013 against top-ranked Kahuku (9-1 overall). Kapolei (8-2 overall) will play Waianae (8-3 overall) for third place.

"It's a game and every set back has a comeback. We're not where we wanted to be, but there's nothing we can do now. We have to learn from our mistakes and come back stronger," said Kapolei coach Darren Hernandez.

Farrington's Tainano Gaulua recovered Taulia Tagovailoa's fumble on their own 49 with 3:40 remaining. Rapoza threw a 29-yard pass to Kingston Moses-Sanchez to convert a third-and-8 to the Kapolei 20.

"On defense we brought a little bit more pressure," said Okimoto, on the difference from the previous matchup.

The Govs started in an interesting line formation prior to snapping the ball. Faamatau gained 5 yards and tacked on more yards after a Kapolei penalty. Faamatau rushed to the 1, but a holding call pushed it back to the 14. Faamatau rolled out and threw a 14-yard touchdown to Kingsley Moses-Sanchez with 20 seconds left, but Blessing Umaga's pass on the PAT attempt was intercepted.

"The players who had a bad game the last time we played them, stepped up. I told the team to have faith and trust your teammate and your brother next to you and they came up big," said Okimoto.

Kapolei received the ball on their own 20. Tagovailoa threw a 15-yard pass Kaeo Alvarez-Ranan with 14 seconds left. Foi Sila sacked Tagovailoa for a 8-yard loss and because the Hurricanes had no timeouts, the clock expired.

Bishop Rapoza finished the game with 237 passing yards and three touchdowns—two going to Mosi Alaivanu-Afe, who caught 10 passes for 153 yards. Rapoza split time with Justin Uahinui who had 38 passing yards.

"His ability to make something out of nothing was the difference for us. To be able to move the chains and find the open receiver and he made things happen," said Okimoto, on Rapoza.

In a blink of an eye, Kapolei struck first nine seconds into the game as Tagovailoa threw a 63-yard touchdown to Ahana up the middle to make it, 7-0.

Farrington started at their own 46 and managed to get all the way down to the Kapolei 7 yard line, but Bishop Rapoza was intercepted in the end zone by Leonard Lee.

"After that interception, I asked the Lord to help me with this one. We came out with a win, it was a team win. Our defense played a helluva game," said Rapoza.

Tagovailoa finished the game with 319 passing yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Kapolei played without leading receiver Jaymin Sarono and running back Antoneo Brown, who sat out for breaking team rules according to coach Hernandez.

Isaiah Ahana stepped up to fill the void on offense to catch a season-high nine passes for 171 yards. He caught his second score from 33 yards out after juggling the pass near the pylon to make it, 14-0. 

"He had a break out game," said Hernandez, on Ahana. "We have rules and rules are rules and we have standards. I'd rather lose with integrity than win by compromising my principles."

Beau Meyers' 30-yard field goal attempt was no good and the Govs took over with 2:01 left before halftime. Rapoza guided Farrington into the red zone and he scrambled to throw a touchdown to Iosefo Ah Ching-Noga with no time remaining as Farrington trailed, 14-7 at halftime.

On the opening drive of the third quarter that took 12 plays and 74 yards, the Govs tied it up at 14 after Rapoza threw a 28-yard score to Alaivanu-Afe.

Tagovailoa threw a 7-yard touchdown to Wyatt Perez, but Meyer missed the kick to make it, 20-14.

Faasisina Masalosalo intercepted Tagovailoa's pass and returned it to the Kapolei 6 yard-line. Ah-Ching-Noga leaped into the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown, Umaga's missed the PAT tied the game at 20.

Kapolei punted and the ball touched a Farrington player and Gianni Oyadomari recovered it on the 5. Two plays later, Leighton Rosa rushed for a 3-yard score to give the Hurricanes a 27-20 lead.

Farrington answered back to tie the game at 27 after Rapoza threw a 57-yard touchdown Alaivanu-Afe, who raced past the Govs' sideline with 4:26 remaining in the fourth quarter.

"They outplayed us in all phases. We had mistakes on special teams, kicking game, offense and defense," said Hernandez.

Kapolei took over on their own 20 and converted a third-and-1 after Tagovailoa threw a 14-yard pass to Perez. Tagovailoa dropped the snap and was recovered by Gaulua for their second costly turnover of the game that resulted in Farrington points.