StarBulletin.com

Govs have options at quarterback


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POSTED: Sunday, August 16, 2009

Although the power running game is emphasized in Farrington's offense, having a capable leader at quarterback is also vital.

Governors coach Randall Okimoto is still weighing his options for his fifth-ranked team's signal-caller after the 20-14 win at Campbell on Friday night to kick off the season.

He went with Apollo Faumui (5-foot-10, 180 pounds) as his starting QB against the Sabers. Faumui showed the ability to tuck and run as he picked up a 15-yard gain in the first quarter, and was accurate (4-for-7) with a potential touchdown pass that went through a receiver's hands in the end zone. His final pass was picked off by Campbell's Michael Sellers in the red zone with 2 minutes, 44 seconds left in the first half.

After halftime, Okimoto went with Jared Hakuole (5-8, 179), last year's JV quarterback. Hakuole went just 2-for-5, but two of his passes were dropped, and he showed the ability to throw on the run.

“;It worked out well tonight,”; Okimoto said after the game. “;Those two have been working hard all summer. It was tough for us to pick one, so both of them had a half each. They both played well.”;

When asked if he saw a platoon QB system playing out, Okimoto replied, “;Actually, you know what? It's going to be week-to-week. We're not too sure about that.”;

               

     

 

FRIDAY
                                                                                                                                                   
Farrington20
Campbell14

       

       

The Govs weren't the only team working in a new player or two at quarterback. Campbell was forced to plug in senior Christian Carlos into its run-and-shoot offense when would-be starter Maika Ulufale was academically ineligible.

Carlos played quarterback in the team's spring game but had been working at slotback until Thursday.

He was hounded most of the game by Farrington pass-rushers but finished with an efficient line: 16-for-24 with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

“;My hat's off to what he has done tonight,”; Campbell coach Amosa Amosa said of his QB. “;We're trying to come together as a unit. When the receivers were open, we couldn't protect him. When the quarterback had time to throw, our receivers didn't run the right routes or make the right reads.”;

Nick Penitusi was another player who stepped up for the Sabers, starting at running back when Samson Anguay moved over to slotback to fill another hole.

Anguay was the only returning skill position player from last year's OIA White championship team.

To make things worse, Campbell had 18 players academically ineligible, compared to 13 for Farrington.

For those reasons, Amosa was satisfied with his team's effort. He thought Farrington, with its punishing ground attack, might have done his team a favor in the long run. Govs running back Harry Tuimaseve rumbled for 172 yards on 25 carries, and sealed the game with rushes of 14 and 27 yards to kill clock with Campbell threatening in the fourth quarter.

“;What I'm most proud of is our defense,”; Amosa said. “;What Farrington has done tonight is really help our defense.”;

 

               

     

 

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