Kamehameha Maui dominates Roosevelt to reach state title game
Kamehameha Maui's Zedekaiah Campbell (right) tosses the ball to an official after scoring on a 48-yard first-quarter touchdown run against Roosevelt in Saturday night's 60-26 win over Roosevelt High School in the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA state semifinal playoff game at Kanaiaupuni Stadium. The victory clinched a berth in the state Division II championship game against Kaiser set for Saturday on Oahu. Campbell scored two touchdowns in the game.
By Matthew Thayer
The Warriors of Kamehameha Schools Maui punched their ticket to another First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA State Football Championships Division II championship game with a convincing 60-26 win over visiting Roosevelt High School Saturday night at Kanaiaupuni Stadium in Pukalani.
Kamehameha Maui dominated the game, scoring touchdowns on a blocked punt, two long kickoff returns, two touchdown runs and an interception return. Kamehameha outgained Roosevelt 242 yards to 23 on the ground. Forced to pass early and often, the Roughriders had 370 yards passing to Kamehameha's 12. Kaikea Hueu had 124 yards rushing and a touchdown for the Warriors, while teammate Zedekaiah Campbell chipped in with 121 yards and two TDs.
The top-seeded Warriors are scheduled to play Kaiser High School, which won Saturday's other D-II semifinal, 16-13, over Kauai at Vidinha Stadium on Kauai. The title game is set for 4 p.m. Saturday at Mililani's John Kauinana Stadium on Oahu. Kamehameha Maui played in last year's D-II final, losing a heartbreaker to Waimea, 31-28.
Kamehameha Maui's Kaikea Hueu celebrates with teammate Isaiah Lani after scoring on 44-yard run in the third quarter Saturday against Roosevelt.
Roosevelt wide receiver Keawe Davis leaps to haul in a third-quarter pass over Kamehameha Maui's Keanu Lanoza. Davis caught three touchdown passes in the game. He had 12 receptions for 178 yards.
Kamehameha Maui's Ramzen Fruean blocks a pass by Roosevelt quarterback Kaeo Bush.
Kamehameha Maui kicker Kayden Yap attempts a 33-yard field goal out of the hold of Kolt Kahoohanohano in the third quarter.
Kamehameha Maui kicker Kayden Yap joins holder Kolt Kahoohanohano in watching his 33-yard field goal split the uprights in the third quarter. He also converted a 45-yard attempt in the first quarter.
Kamehameha Maui standout offensive linemen Pau Spencer is pumped up after teammate Kayden Yap kicked a 45-yard field goal in the first quarter.
Kamehameha Maui head coach Ulima Afoa talks to his team after the final whistle of Saturday's 60-26 win over Roosevelt.
Kamehameha Maui's Kaiwa Ho blocks a punt in the end zone by Roosevelt's Ioane Kamanao early in the first quarter to set the tone for Saturday's state semi-final playoff game. The ball was recovered by the Warriors' Anthony Sardine Jr. for a touchdown.
Official Lionel Montalvo signals touchdown after Kamehameha Maui's Anthony Sardine Jr. (12) pounced on a blocked punt in the end zone in the first quarter. The Roosevelt High punt was blocked by Kamehameha Maui's Kaiwa Ho.
Kamehameha Maui assistant coach Kevin O'Brien praises the special teams unit after it stopped a punt from rolling into the end zone to pin Roosevelt on its own goal line in the first quarter. Four plays later, a blocked punt by the Warriors scored the game's first TD.
Kamehameha Maui's Zedekaiah Campbell celebrates with teammates after scoring on a 48-yard first-quarter touchdown run.
Kamehameha Maui's Tevyn Apo is cheered by the sold-out crowd as he scores on a 90-yard kickoff return to start the third quarter Saturday. He also scored on an 89-yard kickoff return in the second quarter.
Kamehameha Schools Maui's marching band leads the football team onto the field before the start of Saturday's game.
Roosevelt quarterback Kaeo Bush is sent flying by Kamehameha Maui defenders Titus Joaquin (left) and Rusty Ako-Nataniela after releasing a first-quarter pass.