Campbell had the blueprint.
Mililani had the grit.
The showdown between the state’s top two teams lived up to the billing with a 35-30 win by No. 1 Mililani on Saturday night. Instant classic.
The Sabers and their keep-away game plan was more than wise. It was executed to a tee as coach Darren Johnson’s offense held the ball for 20 minutes and 50 seconds in the first half.
Mililani didn’t panic. Not after Campbell’s game-opening, near-11 minute TD drive. In fact, the Trojans did it the old-fashioned way, getting the edge in special teams on an 83-yard kickoff return by Damien Nakagawa, and a crucial interception by Chantz Bolling to send a packed house of more than 5,000 spectators at John Kauinana Stadium in Mililani into ecstasy or misery. Campbell filled the entire visitor bleachers and had the lead with less than 6 minutes left.
It was not meant to be. Mililani QB Hunter Fujikawa was without starting RB Toa Sam and play-making WR Bless Cabrera-Hopkins due to injuries, but sophomore Ashton Grace had a clutch night. Grace had nine receptions for 132 yards and two TDs.
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“Ashton’s going to continue growing. He’s only a sophomore. Coaches are going to start to take notice of him,” Fujikawa said.
That is more than likely for Grace and many younger players on the Mililani roster, including several on the defensive side. Fujikawa has 28 scholarship offers. Halo effect.
“Our connection continues to grow. We talk about what we see. It’s more back and forth, not just me telling me what I want him to do. It’s him coming back and telling me what he sees and us just working it out.”
Fujikawa passed for 217 yards, completing 17 of 25 attempts with two TDs and no picks. His ability to set up big runs in clutch moments has been huge all season, more so on Saturday. He ran for 28 yards on three carries, scoring on runs of 7 and 6 yards.
“It’s the same mentality. Continue to glorify (God’s) name. Whatever I have to do to help us win. I’m sure a lot of teams respect our pass. When the ‘backers are going to bail, when those B-gaps open up I can get those extra yards and make them respect it,” Fujikawa said.
The junior now has 1,598 yards, 17 TDs and just one pick through the air with a 72.3% completion rate. It’s almost impossible to spy on Fujikawa, even with 10 yards of distance. He keeps his eyes up as he extends a play. This year, he is surgically dissecting defenses.
“I’m pass-first guy so I’m going to stay in the pocket whenever I can, but when the opportunity presents itself I’m going to go and get as many yards as I can,” he said.
Winds kicked up to 25-30 mph as Hurricane Nolo crawled south of the islands. Neither QB showed negative effects.
Dallas Carter, who transferred from Mililani in the offseason, passed for 269 yards and four TDs (15-for-23) with one interception. Campbell’s five-game win streak came to an end, but considering the loss of starting QB Jaden Kimble to injury a month ago, Carter has been a revelation.
Six different Sabers hauled in at last one pass. Shaison Kupukaa finished with 114 yards on five catches, including a 56-yard TD with 22 seconds left to keep Campbell’s hopes alive. When any offense opens a game with a deliberate intent to run the ball and keep the clock moving, it’s rare that the same personnel can go aerial like the Sabers did.
If it seems coincidental that a player named Dallas is quarterbacking a team whose coach has been a devoted Cowboys fan since the 1970s, it is. Circumstances change rapidly. Campbell will have more depth at QB soon enough. Kimble underwent surgery on his injured non-throwing forearm two weeks ago and could return before the end of the season.
Was this a preview of the OIA championship game? The state final? Maybe there a matchup that will turn out even better for fans. On Saturday, the 3-hour, 30-minute marathon between kings was unmatched.
“Campbell is a great team. Great game plan,” Fujikawa said. “That’s smart coaching, keeping us off the field.”
Health is the X-factor for the Trojans. In addition to Cabrera-Hopkins and Sam, four-star wide receiver Zion White continues to recover from an early-season foot injury. He is running at practice, but has not been cleared. White plans to graduate early and enroll at Cal in January, joining former Campbell standout QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele.
The mind-meld of Mililani’s coaching staff is key, as well. As it became apparent in the first half that the Sabers’ intent was to melt the clock with long possessions, the Trojans didn’t alter defensive schemes drastically. That patience isn’t always common.
The Trojans are willing to adapt and stay in system defensively rather than be married to a particular pace and style of offense. Toa Satele returned from a first-half injury and finished with 13 tackles, including a sack. Taua Fonoti, Trison Satele, LJ Jelf, Lincoln UIagalelei, Kalai Nihipali, Nui Gilman and more have bought in.
McKinley 21, Kaimuki 14
Ashton Nakagawa rushed for 197 yards and two touchdowns as the Tigers rallied past the Bulldogs in an OIA Division II game at Roosevelt on Saturday.
After Kaimuki took an 8-7 lead in the third quarter, Nakagawa scored on runs of 10 yards and 4 yards in the fourth quarter for a 21-8 lead.
Russell Kinerie caught two touchdown passes for the Bulldogs.