State Champion Warriors
Kamehameha Maui players hoist their school's first state football championship trophy after beating Kaiser, 37-14, Saturday at Mililani.
Story and photos by
Matthew Thayer
The Warriors of Kamehameha Maui rode the arm of quarterback Kolten Waikiki-Caldeira, the legs of running back Zedekaiah Campbell and the heart of a stout, hard-hitting defense to earn their school’s first state football title with a convincing, 37-14, win over Kaiser High School in the First Hawaiian Bank-HHSAA State Football Division II championship game at Mililani High’s John Kauinana Stadium Saturday night on Oahu.
Waikiki-Caldeira passed for three touchdowns, going 8-of-14 for 87 yards. He also scored on a one-yard run. Campbell rushed for 239 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown. Many of those yards came after contact, with Campbell either breaking loose or dragging defenders with him. The defense held Kaiser in check for most of the game apart from two second-quarter touchdown passes from quarterback Caleb Hamasaki to wide receiver Jesse Shinagawa.
Water flies as Kamehameha Maui players celebrate winning their school's first state football championship Saturday at Mililani.
As the game clock ticked down to zero, celebrating players doused head coach Ulima Afoa with a cooler of ice water and squirted bottled water high into the air.
Still wet and smiling after doing his press interviews and heading off to join his family and team, Afoa already seemed to be looking ahead to seasons to come.
“It’s the first state championship that we have in football,” Afoa said. “Hopefully it becomes part of their mindset and they compete and, you know, do the things that you need to in order to be in this position. I think that’s what it’s all about, pushing the school forward.”
Afoa said after Kaiser scored the two late touchdowns to suddenly make what looked like a runaway a close game, the message to his team at halftime was simple.
“Just continue to play,” Afoa said. “You’ve got to let that stuff go.”
Kamehameha Maui quarterback Kolten Waikiki-Caldeira releases a second-quarter touchdown pass. He threw for three scores and ran for another.
Standout junior offensive lineman Pa’u Spencer said the Warriors’ third time in the state championship game proved to be a charm.
“It feels amazing,” Spencer said. “I get to play for my family. I get to play for my brother (Kale Spencer), who got whipped by Kapaa. I get to play for the seniors from last year, that we unfortunately lost to Waimea. I just get to create a legacy.”
Kamehameha Maui's Zedekaiah Campbell takes Kaiser's Zane Shinkawa for a ride.
Campbell said he was still in disbelief over his big night.
“I don’t even know where this came from, I just came out and played, man,” Campbell said. “Big shoutout to my O-line, without them I wouldn’t have even half of these yards.”
Kamehameha Maui receiver Tevyn Apo caught five passes for 50 yards and two touchdowns. Frank Abreu caught a one-yard touchdown pass for the Warriors and Kayden Yap kicked a 38-yard field goal.
Kamehameha Maui's Tevyn Apo hauls in a first-quarter touchdown pass over Kaiser's Kolt Gilpa.
Kamehameha Maui's Tevyn Apo celebrates with teammate Isaiah Lani after catching a first-quarter touchdown pass in Saturday's D-II state championship game at Mililani High School's stadium.
Injured team captain Kaonohi Casco (with hat) gives his teammates a pep talk before the start of the second half Saturday at Mililani.
Kamehameha Maui outstanding offensive lineman Pa’u Spencer leaves the field with a smile after blocking on a touchdown run.
Kamehameha Maui head coach Ulima Afoa is drenched at the end of Saturday's championship win.
Head coach Ulima Afoa and his players bask in their trophy-winning moment.
Kamehameha defense ballhawk Anthony Sardine Jr. looks to the sidelines after his second-half interception.
Kamehameha Maui's Zedekaiah Campbell bowls over Kaiser's Zane Shinkawa.
Kamehameha Maui quarterback Kolten Waikiki-Caldeira releases a second-quarter pass.