The Campbell sophomore eight passes for 208 yards with a touchdown and made two tackles, broke up a pass and intercepted another in a 26-20 win over Farrington. Sylvia Lee | SL

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Athlete of the Week: Pokii Adkins-Kupukaa, Campbell football
When it comes to football, Pokii Adkins-Kupukaa is a fast learner.

The Campbell sophomore caught eight passes for 208 yards and a touchdown in just his second game playing receiver to help the Sabers top Farrington, 26-20, in both teams' Oahu Interscholastic Association opener last Friday night. He also made two tackles, intercepted a pass and broke up another to help Campbell earn its first win over the Governors since 2001.

"That's expected by a guy like him, it's not a surprise for us to be honest with you," said Campbell first-year coach Darren Johnson. "He's a guy that just loves to play and he loves this game."

Before Johnson took over the Sabers' program, Adkins-Kupukaa was already a rising star. As a freshman, Adkins-Kupukaa recorded seven interceptions while earning All-OIA Division I Blue Conference First Team Honors as a defensive back.

After seeing what Adkins-Kupukaa was capable of on defense, it was a no-brainer for Johnson to try him on offense.

"We're trying to put the best people on the field, anywhere and everywhere," said Johnson. "We want to maximize our athletes and get the most out of them."

The move produced great results against the Farrington defense. Adkins-Kupukaa routinely got open downfield to give junior quarterback Krenston Kaipo a go-to target.

As a receiver, Adkins-Kupukaa made his presence early on in the game, hauling in a 34-yard reception and a 31-yard touchdown pass on the Sabers' first two plays from scrimmage.

The next pass that Adkins-Kupukaa would bring down was not from Kaipo, but from Farrington quarterback Chris Afe-Alaivanu. The Campbell sophomore picked off a throw that was intended for Farrington's Tre Barret to help set up the Sabers' third scoring drive of the night.

"I just seen the wide receiver going all out and I just saw the quarterback look over there so I just ran and got there in time to make a play," said Adkins-Kupukaa.

Adkins-Kupukaa caught three passes for 55 yards on the following possession before Tyrese Tafai ran in his second TD of the night to give Campbell a 20-0 lead.

Farrington quickly responded however. The Govs got a big return on the ensuing kickoff and punched in their first score of the game with less than two minutes to play in the first half. Adkins-Kupukaa would catch one more pass for 10 yards before the break, but Farrington would score on a 59-yard pick-six one play later to make it a 20-13 game at halftime.

With momentum on the Govs' side, Adkins-Kupukaa made sure to motivate his teammates after the break.

"I just had to hype them up during the second half," he said. "I had to hype up the whole team."

"He's an awesome leader," added Johnson. "He has his own little way of trying to get guys to ball up and stuff like that where goes up to the guys on the bench and is just real positive and low key."

Adkins-Kupukaa also came up clutch to start the third quarter. On third-and-14, the Campbell sophomore caught a 43-yard pass down the right sideline to extend the possession. He later caught a 35-yard pass, his last of the game, on third-and-25 to take the Sabers down to the Farrington 1-yard line with 9:48 to play in the period.

"I always try to look for him and see if he's open, and just throw it up to him," Kaipo said on Adkins-Kupukaa. "He did great, he ran his routes and is a speedy guy and has good hands."

While Adkins-Kupukaa has plenty of football ahead of him, Johnson has made it a point of emphasis to help Adkins-Kupukaa get to the next level.

"We want to help this young man get to college and all that," said Johnson. "He's hardworking and starting to understand the whole concept of academics and football, trying to put the whole package together.

Johnson added that he would love to see Adkins-Kupukaa play for the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

"He's a great free safety. I'm thinking UH will see that and go after a boys like this because he's very much a local boy. They can see how much he values his state, how much he loves his town, where he plays at. I hope UH would hurry up and get him before it's too late."

Adkins-Kupukaa and the Sabers will look to pick up their second win of the season when they host Aiea Saturday night.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Saige Kaahaaina-Torres, Iolani — Had 18 kills, one ace and an assist to help the Raiders win the Ann Kang Invitational with a three-set win over Oak Ridge

FOOTBALL 
Jonah Aina-Chaves, Saint Francis — Threw for 188 yards and three touchdowns on 15-of-17 passing in a win over Kauai

Jonan Aina-Chaves, Saint Francis — Rushed 14 times for 129 yards and a touchdown in a win over Kauai

Andrue Ala-Peahi, Radford — Had six tackles, including three sacks, in a loss to Castle

Iovani Alatini, Radford — Rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries in a loss to Castle

Wendell Alob, Farrington — Scored on a 59-yard interception return in a loss to Campbell

Kaleo Apao, Hilo — Threw for 107 yards with a touchdown and rushed for 63 yards and another score in a win over Iolani

Akila Arrechi, Damien — Caught four passes for 109 yards in a win over Kealakehe

Naomas Asuega-Fualaau, Kaimuki — Scored on a 62-yard punt return and rushed for another score in a win over Waialua

Ryno Banasihan, Kapaa — Carried 35 times for 226 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Konawaena

Paka Cacoulidis, Konawaena — Had nine tackles, including three for losses, in a loss to Kapaa

Chevan Cordeiro, Saint Louis — Passed for 162 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score in a win over Baldwin

Jared Elwin, Roosevelt — Rushed 13 times for 104 yards and a touchdown in a win over McKinley

Clyde Enos, Nanakuli — Caught four passes for 54 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Aiea

Stephen Eter, Farrington — Threw a touchdown pass and caught seven passes for 65 yards, including a score, in a loss to Campbell

Marcus Faufata-Pedrina, Damien — Passed for 266 yards with two touchdowns and rushed for 71 yards and another score in a win over Kealakehe

Damien Fauolo, Castle — Had seven tackles, one sack and a pass break-up in a win over Radford

Klayton Gascon, Honokaa — Rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries in a win over Honokaa

Justin Genovia, Iolani — Caught 10 passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Hilo

Kahale Huddleston, Hilo — Rushed for 243 yards and four touchdowns on 13 carries and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in a win over Iolani

Cyrus Jumalon, Konawaena — Recorded 10 tackles in a loss to Kapaa

Krenston Kaipo, Campbell — Threw for 381 yards and a touchdown on 18-of-28 passing in a win over Farrington

Kaniala Kalaola, Kapolei — Threw for 230 yards and a touchdown on 15-of-24 passing in a win over Waianae

Kaulana Kaluna, Kaimuki — Intercepted two passes and had a tackle in a win over Waialua

Sunny Kanamu, Jr., Leilehua — Made 11 tackles and broke up a pass in a loss to Kahuku

Kaonohi Kaniho, Kahuku — Intercepted two passes in a win over Leilehua

Shastyn Kekahuna, Roosevelt — Passed for 110 yards and two touchdowns in a win over McKinley

Zameer Khan, Pearl City — Kicked field goals of 33, 25 and 29 yards in a win over Kalani

Nahum Kipi, Nanakuli — Passed for 143 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Aiea

Isaac Liu, Hilo — Scored on a 30-yard interception return and had a sack in a win over Iolani

Dylan Naehu, Kapolei — Had five tackles, two for losses, with one sack and a forced fumble in a win over Waianae

Sol-Jay Maiava, Kahuku — Passed for 121 yards with a touchdown and ran in another score in a win over Leilehua

Scott McLeod, Saint Francis — Caught seven passes for 112 yards in a win over Kauai

Aaron Mejia, Kailua — Threw for 180 yards and three touchdowns on 13-of-27 passing in a win over Moanalua

Kyler Mento, Iolani — Scored on a 39-yard fumble return in a loss to Hilo

Enoch Nawahine, Kahuku — Rushed 31 times for 166 yards and a touchdown in a win over Leilehua

Raffy Perono, Kapaa — Had 7 1/2 tackles, including a sack and one pass break-up in a win over Konawaena

Samson Rasay, Kailua — Carried 23 times for 146 yards and a touchdown in a win over Moanalua

Kaanoi Rivera-Kelekolio, Konawaena — Caught seven passes for 113 yards in a loss to Kapaa

Isaac Sevao, Campbell — Made 8 1/2 tackles, including 4 1/2 for losses, and 1 1/2 sacks in a win over Farrington

Kanoa Shannon, Kamehameha — Rushed for 119 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries in a win over Lahainaluna

Foi Sila, Farrington — Made six tackles, including two for losses, one sack, and forced a fumble in a loss to Campbell

Ieke Seei-Cleveland, Kaimuki — Rushed for 162 yards with two touchdowns on 14 carries and caught two passes for 60 yards with another score in a win over Waialua

Kalena Sione, Waianae — Had five tackles, four for losses, with three sacks in a loss to Kapolei

Makana Smith, Castle — Passed for 183 yards with two touchdowns and rushed for another score in a win over Radford

Jordan Solomon, Kaimuki — Threw for 204 yards and three touchdowns on 11-of-16 passing and also ran for another score in a win over Waialua

Bruddah Spencer-Choy Foo, Kailua — Intercepted two passes in a win over Moanalua

Kyle Sudog, Radford — Had 7 1/2 tackles, including 1 1/2 sacks, in a loss to Radford

Tyrese Tafai, Campbell — Rushed for three touchdowns and made 3 1/2 tackles, including two for losses, in a win over Farrington

Seth Tina-Sobarano, Kalani — Threw for 138 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Pearl City

Junior Tuia, Kapolei — Made seven tackles, including two for losses, in a win over Waianae

Zion Tupuola-Fetui, Pearl City — Recorded 2 1/2 sacks in a win over Kalani

Blessing Umaga, Farrington — Had seven tackles, including one for loss, recovered a fumble and broke up a pass in a loss to Campbell

Junior Wily, Saint Louis — Scored on a 12-yard blocked punt return and intercepted a pass in a win over Baldwin

Randy Wright, Radford — Passed for 148 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Castle