DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Campbell's Alii Basham was pursued by Castle defenders last night. The Knights beat the Sabers 28-25.

Castle into OIA semis
with upset of Campbell

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By Marc Dixon
mdixon@starbulletin.com

The Campbell Sabers' faithful arrived at Aloha Stadium wearing T-shirts with the question "Who's Next?" A more correct inquiry would have been, "What's next?" and the answer, after last night's 28-25 upset win by the Castle Knights is "nothing."

The Knights advance to the OIA semifinals on the strength of a balanced game that saw the OIA Red's third seed score by air, on the ground and on defense.

The game's deciding touchdown occurred with 6:14 left in the game as Castle quarterback Jacob Ramos hit Jared Suzui in the right side of the end zone with a 24-yard crossing pass. An option pitch left to Kawika Sebay gave the Knights a 2-point conversion and the final points in the victory.

Campbell almost sent the game into overtime as the Sabers drove 50 yards to set up a 33-yard field-goal try by Shauncey-Blaine Saito. Saito missed it wide left, sending the Castle sideline into a wild celebration with under a minute remaining.

The Sabers' loss was in no part due to running back Mapa Malupo who finished with 26 carries for 188 yards and a touchdown. Castle's big-play threats were Sebay, who scored on a 67-yard touchdown run to answer a third-quarter touchdown by Campbell, and Suzui, who caught two touchdown passes.

The game started looking like great things were in store for the Sabers. On Castle's third offensive play, Ramos was intercepted by Michael Napihaa as Ramos tried to hit Ethan Gonsalves over the middle. Campbell advanced the ball in six plays to the Castle 13-yard line, but Saito missed a field goal wide left.

On the Sabers' next offensive possession, Malupo announced his presence. After starting the drive with a punishing 5-yard dive, Malupo broke the next play for a 55-yard run with a quick hit off tackle before finally being caught by Kaleo Cordero. On the very next play, Saito scored the game's first points on a 6-yard sweep left. After a missed PAT, the Sabers led 6-0.

Castle's next two offensive series totaled 6 yards and two punts, but the Knights' defense came to the rescue with a 41-yard fumble return by Antone Watanabe after Blaze Soares stripped Malupo. Gonsalves' kick gave Castle the early 7-6 lead with 10 seconds left in the first quarter.

At Aloha Stadium

Castle (6-4)	7	7	6	8	--	28
Campbell (6-3)	6	6	7	6	--	25

Cam -- Romeo Mayrena 6 run (kick failed)
Cas -- Antone Watanabe 41 fumble return (Ethan Gonsalves kick)
Cam -- Jonah Canionero 2 run (pass failed)
Cas -- Jared Suzui 36 pass from Jacob Ramos (Gonsalves kick)
Cam -- Anthony Dutro 11 run (Shauncey-Blaine Saito kick)
Cas -- Kawika Sebay 67 run (run failed)
Cam -- Malupo 9 run (pass failed)
Cas -- Suzui 24 pass from Ramos (Sebay run)
RUSHING -- Castle: Sebay 10-104, Ramos 5-12, Suzui 1-(-5). Campbell: Malupo 25-185, Chris Ah Sing 3-17, Mayrena 8-41, Canionero 4-3, Saito 15-87, Daniel Stanton 3-10, Dutro 5-10, Alii Basham 1-14.
PASSING -- Castle: Ramos 13-30-1-126. Campbell: Canionero 3-7-0-43.
RECEIVING -- Castle: Suzui 6-57, Ikaika Ho 4-55, Gonsalves 2-8, Brandon Shimomura 1-6. Campbell: Basham 1-29, Christopher Cruz 1-13, Stanton 1-1.

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